Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
Do you struggle with abdominal pain? The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
at University Medical Center New Orleans is designed with you in mind.
Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in adult gastroenterology,
surgery, pathology, radiology, nutrition, and psychiatry.
About inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It is divided into two different conditions:
- Crohn’s disease is a condition that can cause inflammation throughout the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the rectum.
- Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which only the colon and rectum experience inflammation.
Causes and symptoms of IBD
Although research is ongoing, we still do not know the exact causes of
IBD. Genetics, your overall health, and certain lifestyle factors seem
to contribute to the development of IBD.
Symptoms of IBD will depend on the type you have and the location of the
inflammation in your digestive tract and may include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Weight loss
Diagnosis of IBD
When you visit the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic, we will examine your
case thoroughly to get an accurate diagnosis. In addition to looking at
your family medical history, personal medical history, and general health,
we will perform blood work, take stool samples and order advanced imaging tests.
After preliminary testing, your physician may request an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
These outpatient procedures involve inserting a small tube with a camera
down your esophagus or into your rectum and colon, respectively, to see
what’s going on. Your provider may also take tissue samples to biopsy
during this procedure. (Don’t worry, you will be under anesthesia
during this.)
IBD treatment
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic uses a cooperative team approach
between a patient and their doctors to create a treatment plan. While
every case is different—because every patient is different—our
end goals are to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Your doctor is likely to prescribe medications to treat your ulcerative
colitis or Crohn’s disease. However, some patients may require surgery.
Lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, getting
regular exercise and quitting smoking, are also important parts of your
IBD treatment.
Living with IBD
At University Medical Center New Orleans, we understand the difficulty that comes with living with IBD. The staff at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic works hard to provide support for IBD patients, so you can be both physically and emotionally healthy. We provide referrals to therapists, access to support groups and opportunities for further education.
If you’re ready to get a diagnosis or treatment for possible IBD, we are here to help. However, you will need a referral to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic from a gastroenterologist. We can help you find a gastroenterologist if you don’t have one.