Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease affects the gastrointestinal health of an estimated three million men and women in the United States. At East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Christopher Tomaino, MD, offers on-site endoscopy services to find out if Crohn’s disease is causing your abdominal pain and persistent diarrhea. Dr. Tomaino customizes a treatment plan to help you manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease and prevent additional gastrointestinal distress and long-term complications. Call East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy in Patchogue, New York, or book a diagnostic evaluation online today.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract.

Inflammation from Crohn’s disease can affect any part of your GI tract that extends from your mouth to your anus. However, it’s the small bowel and the beginning of your colon (large intestine) that most often develops the inflammation. The inflammation can also affect the entire thickness of your bowel wall.

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease symptoms vary from person to person and depend on where in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract the inflammation occurs.

You might have Crohn’s disease if you experience symptoms like:

• Constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping

Often, people with Crohn’s disease feel like they can’t complete a bowel movement.

Without proper management, Crohn’s disease can cause tears in the lining of your anus (fissures), narrowing in your intestines (stricture), and fistulas, abnormal channels that form between your intestine and your bladder or other organs.

How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing Crohn’s disease typically involves a physical exam and a series of tests to confirm the condition and rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Dr. Tomaino might also order blood work and a stool sample to identify infections or other issues and request a procedure like:

Upper endoscopy

An upper endoscopy involves the insertion of a lighted tube with an attached camera into your mouth. Dr. Tomaino moves the tube down into your esophagus and stomach, and the camera sends real-time images of the inner structures of your GI tract.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is similar to an upper endoscopy, but the tube goes into your rectum, so Dr. Tomaino can examine the lower part of your GI tract, including your colon.

During either procedure, Dr. Tomaino can perform a biopsy by removing a tissue sample of the inflamed area for further testing.

How is Crohn’s disease treated?

Your treatment plan for Crohn’s disease will likely include a combination of treatments like:

Dietary improvements

Your initial treatment for Crohn’s disease might involve dietary changes to help reduce inflammation in your GI tract. Crohn’s disease can make it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients and vitamins, so it’s important that you eat nutritious meals and avoid spicy and acidic foods that can irritate your intestines.

Medications

You might benefit from medications that suppress your immune system’s inflammatory response to help you find relief from symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Surgery

Dr. Tomaino can determine if you’re a candidate for surgery based on the results of your testing. He might recommend a minimally invasive surgery to remove damaged tissue in your GI tract or to treat fissures, fistulas, and other complications of Crohn’s disease.

To find out more about the available treatment options for Crohn’s disease, call East Coast Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, or book an appointment online today.