To diagnose Crohn’s disease or colitis, we start with a comprehensive examination and collect a thorough history. A number of tests are needed to confirm diagnosis. They may include:

• Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy: Used for initial diagnosis, both use a thin, flexible tube with camera to examine different areas, including the colon, small intestine and large intestine to see any ulcers, bleeding and inflammation.
• Upper endoscopy: Uses a thin, flexible tube with camera inserted through the mouth, following the tract to the stomach and upper small intestine to look for bleeding, ulcers and inflammation.
• Capsule endoscopy: A capsule containing a camera is swallowed by the patient to take pictures along the digestive tract not easily reachable by other procedures (capsule passes normally in the stool).
• Laboratory tests: Blood work plus stool samples to check for bacteria and intestinal bleeding.
• CT interography and MR interography: Specialized radiology tests that evaluate the small intestine, an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is beyond the reach of colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, but is often where Crohn’s disease is present.
• Imaging tests: Collaborating with experts in Radiology for imaging and interpreting gastrointestinal abnormalities, including abdominal x-rays, barium enema, computed tomography (CT scan), fistulogram (for patients with Crohn’s disease to examine fistulas) and MRI.

Our team offers broad-based knowledge in every area of IBD treatment, including innovative immune-suppressing drug therapy. And, we can offer patients treatment options only available in large centers such as ours. The type of treatment varies from patient to patient. We determine treatment based on symptoms, severity and other characteristics of the disease and then customize to fit your individual needs. IBD treatments include:

• Medicines: A wide variety of medications can be used to treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Surgery: Lack of response or intolerance to medications, inability to maintain diet, lifestyle changes or pre-cancer cells are all possible reasons for surgery. There are a number of surgical options. If perforation or massive bleeding occurs, emergency surgery is usually required.
• Therapeutic trials in clinical research: We have an active and robust clinical studies and research program, which includes access to investigational therapies and receiving closer monitoring.
• Diet: Changes in diet and nutrition reduce irritation and aggravation of symptoms. Our nutritionist will work with you to help you create a plan and answer your questions.
• Complementary and alternative medicine: Some new alternative treatments for IBD are being studied at the University of Michigan. While there is no secret cure available on the Internet or via a supplement, and some supplements can even be dangerous for a person with inflammatory bowel disease, experts are still learning about alternative therapies, and we are glad to discuss these options with our patients. 

Is there a cure?

No, IBD cannot be cured. There will be periods of remission when the disease is not active. Medicines can reduce inflammation and increase the number and length of periods of remission, but there is no cure.

How long will IBD last?

IBD is a lifelong (chronic) condition. A few patients find their disease becomes milder (“burned out”) after age 60, but many do not.

Do I have to take medicine forever?

Probably. IBD is a chronic disease, and most patients need a maintenance medicine to ease symptoms and reduce the number and severity of flares. Most maintenance medicines act fairly slowly, so if you have an active flare, you may need to take additional medicine temporarily.

Are there some medicines that can get me out of a flare quickly?

Yes. These are not necessarily used long term because of side effects. Patients will often change over from rescue medicines to long-term maintenance medicines. Rescue medicines include steroids such as prednisone and cyclosporine.

Why do I need to keep taking medicines when I feel well?

It’s important to keep taking maintenance medicines because they reduce the recurrence of flares. For biologic medicines (like infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab) it is important to keep taking them to prevent the formation of antibodies against the medicine. The formation of antibodies can lead to allergic reactions and loss of benefit from the medicine. Taking biologic medicines regularly can maintain their good effect.

Why might I need a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is used to make the initial diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. A colonoscopy can also assess the symptoms of IBD flares and the response to treatment. A third important use of a colonoscopy is to screen for early colon cancer or to look for abnormal cells that may turn into cancer cells.

Will surgery cure my IBD?

No, but surgery can be very helpful. For patients with ulcerative colitis, removal of 97% of the colon dramatically reduces symptoms. Surgery is no picnic, but it can often dramatically improve the quality of life of someone with severe colitis. There are several ways to reconnect the intestine after the colon is removed, each of which has pros and cons.

The effect of surgery for Crohn’s disease can often be like pushing a giant reset button, as surgery can remove scarred tissue and strictures, fistulas and abscesses that cause a lot of symptoms for which medicines are not very effective. After surgery for Crohn’s disease, maintenance medicines are often more effective and help prevent further complications that lead to requiring further surgery in the future.

Is it dangerous to suppress (weaken) the immune system for the rest of my life?

There are some risks in suppressing or weakening your immune system. Viruses that stay in your body, like the chicken pox virus, are more likely to be activated (cause shingles) in people taking immunosuppressives such as azathioprine and methotrexate. Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues are more likely in people taking anti-TNF medicines. However, for many, all these risks are outweighed by the risks of complications of IBD, which accumulate over time.

You can reduce some of these risks. You can discuss early vaccination with your doctor. Also, after some years in remission some patients take a “drug holiday” and stop the immunosuppressive medicine with close monitoring by their doctor for any recurrence of inflammation. If you are on anti-TNF therapy and you are in the final trimester of pregnancy or going to have an operation, your doctor may adjust your dosing schedule to minimize complications.

Could any condition other than IBD be causing my symptoms?

Yes. Patients with IBD can get IBD-like symptoms for other reasons. Infections can cause diarrhea. Previous inflammation can cause increased sensitivity of the nerves in the intestine and make you very sensitive to intestinal cramping. Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can cause cramping and gas. This is why you should visit a health care provider if there is a change in your symptoms because it might not be a flare of IBD.

Why shouldn’t my pain be treated with narcotics?

Narcotics treat the symptoms, not the cause (inflammation) of IBD. Narcotics can make the inflammation worse. Research has shown that patients with IBD who use narcotics are more likely to have severe abdominal infections (abscesses), strictures and intestinal obstruction. We try to avoid prescribing narcotics for IBD because they seem to be harmful.

Why not just take prednisone whenever I have a flare?

Prednisone has many side effects, including bone loss, diabetes, cataracts, emotional distress and severe acne, which make us want to minimize the use of prednisone as much as possible. In addition, the longer prednisone or other steroids are used, the less likely they are to work. That’s why we like to save prednisone for when (and if) you really need it to rescue you from a flare. Maintenance medicines are designed to reduce your flares in both number and severity. Therefore, you shouldn’t need to take prednisone as often. There is also evidence that taking maintenance medicine and reducing inflammation in the colon reduces colon cancer.