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.

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:

• CT scans and MRI enterography
• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopic Ultrasound
• Labwork (blood and stool tests)
• Physical exam
• Upper GI endoscopy
• Upper GI series or barium swallow
• Wireless video capsule

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About IBD