Diagnosis & Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) in New Jersey | Hackensack Meridian Health   
Digestive Health

Diagnosing and Treating Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Care for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in New Jersey

At Hackensack Meridian Health, we understand that Inflammatory Bowel Diseases can keep you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Our team can help you manage IBD symptoms and prevent complications. 
Our IBD specialists diagnose and treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), and other types of IBD. We offer a wide range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel diseases are a group of immune disorders that cause chronic inflammation to all or part of the digestive system. Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common types of IBD.

IBD causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue. Chronic inflammation from IBD can damage the intestines and increase your risk for colon cancer. It’s important to see a gastroenterologist who can diagnose and treat your unique needs.

Find An IBD Specialist

Search our network of expert digestive disease doctors and make an appointment.
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Browse our IBD treatment locations across New Jersey and make an appointment.
View All Digestive Health Services

Learn more about the other gastroenterology and colorectal services we offer.

IBD Conditions We Treat

At Hackensack Meridian Health, our IBD specialists are trained across multiple specialties. We treat the following IBD-related conditions:

  • Crohn’s Disease: chronic inflammation anywhere along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
  • Celiac Disease: a chronic autoimmune disorder that irritates the small intestine when you eat gluten. 
  • Diarrhea: a condition that causes frequent, loose, and watery stools.
  • Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: occurs when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract. 
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Induced Colitis: a side effect of cancer immunotherapy in which the body's immune system becomes overactive and attacks the colon.
  • Microscopic Colitis: causes inflammation of the inner colon lining.
  • Pouchitis: swelling and inflammation in the lining of a pouch created during colon removal surgery.
  • Ulcerative Colitis: inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, or colon.

How We Diagnose IBD Conditions

IBD causes symptoms, ranging from diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss to fatigue and bloody stools. Because IBD can affect different parts of the digestive tract, an accurate diagnosis is the first step in creating a treatment plan. Some of the tests our gastroenterologists use to diagnose and evaluate your condition include:

How We Treat IBD Conditions

While there is no cure for IBD, our team works with you to reduce your symptoms so you can enjoy life to the fullest. Many people with IBD have long periods of remission and can manage flare-ups of inflammation and symptoms. 

There are many treatment options to reduce inflammation, ease symptoms, and lower your risk of additional health issues.

Treatment for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may include:

  • Antibiotics which are used to treat infections and complications.
  • Biologics which are given at an infusion center or through home injections.
  • Immunomodulators, which reduce inflammation by slowing down the immune system.
  • Oral anti-inflammatory medications like mesalamine which are used to treat mild ulcerative colitis.
  • Targeted synthetic small molecules, an immune system suppressor used to treat severe ulcerative colitis.

When medication is paired with quality care, those with IBD can reduce symptoms, avoid complications and get back to living life freely. Learn more about the pharmacy services we offer, including delivery, retail, and home infusion. 

When medication and lifestyle changes aren’t controlling your IBD symptoms, IBD surgery to remove part(s) of the small intestines, colon, or rectum could be an option. We also offer minimally invasive, robotic colorectal surgery to decrease complications and speed up recovery.

Learn more about our colorectal surgery services.

Part of caring for your IBD is preventing complications from the disease and the medications being used to treat it. Routine colonoscopies and other cancer screenings are especially important if you have IBD.

If you have IBD, talk to your doctor about when to begin colon cancer screenings and other ways you can lower your cancer risk.

Expert IBD Care in New Jersey

Find an IBD specialist or care location close to home and make an appointment today. 

Find An IBD Specialist

Browse our network of expert gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons and make an appointment today.
Find An IBD Care Location

Search for an IBD care location close to home and make an appointment today.

Recent Innovations in Gastroenterology

Read about breakthroughs in gastroenterology happening at Hackensack Meridian Health.

Increasing Volume and Complexity in IBD Surgical Cases

Hackensack University Medical Center handles high volumes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and surgical cases continue to grow in complexity.
Read More

Learn more about how we're advancing what's possible through cutting-edge gastroenterology innovations.

Frequently Asked Questions About IBD

Common symptoms of IBD include abdominal pain, cramping, persistent diarrhea, blood in the stool, fatigue, and weight loss. Some people may also experience fever or joint pain. Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.
No, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are different conditions. IBD is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes damage to the digestive tract, while IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects how the gut works but does not cause inflammation or structural damage.
Stress doesn’t cause IBD, but it can contribute to flare-ups and worsen symptoms in some people. Managing stress through techniques like mindfulness, therapy, or gentle exercise may help improve symptom control.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but they affect different parts of the digestive tract. Crohn’s can affect any part from the mouth to the anus and often involves deeper layers of the bowel, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and typically affects only the innermost lining.

Patient Resources

8 Dietary Myths Related to IBD

Manage IBD symptoms with dietary guidance from Dr. Parian and a registered dietitian. Learn to debunk 8 common IBD diet myths. Call 800-822-8905.
Managing Crohn’s Disease: Flare-Ups and Treatment Options

Learn about the symptoms and triggers of this chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Are Colon Cleanses Safe?

Colon cleanses: Learn the facts from Dr. Nandra. Discover safer ways to maintain colon health. Schedule an appointment today.
Gut Check: Tips for Stomach Pain Relief, Better Digestion and Signs to See Your Doctor

Our expert speaks on how we would know if our stomach problems are serious, and when it's time to get checked out.

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