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IBD
Treatment

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What is the IBD Treatment?

Your digestive system is a very sensitive organ system. Sometimes, the digestive system gets highly-inflamed, leading to numerous digestive and bowel-related problems. If this condition persists for a prolonged period and results in serious symptoms, it is diagnosed as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The team of board-certified specialists at Huntington Colorectal Surgeons, led by Dr. Howard Kaufman, have years of experience helping patients with IBD. We can coordinate with your gastroenterologist to help manage your condition and decide if surgery is an option for you. Contact our Pasadena colorectal medical center to schedule a consultation.

Types of IBD

IBD manifests in one of two ways:

  • Ulcerative Colitis
    Ulcerative Colitis is a condition where the lining of the large intestine becomes inflamed. This condition can affect the colon and rectum. Numerous ulcers develop on the walls of the colon and may even rupture and bleed. The inflammation often starts in the rectum and may spread upward into the large intestine.
  • Crohn’s Disease
    Crohn’s Disease is the other type of IBD. Here, the inflammation can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the ulcers can form anywhere in the small or large intestine. In some cases, the patient may also develop anal fissures, anal fistulae, and bowel fistulae, and these fistulae may bore into other organs located near the digestive tract.

IBD is not IBS

It is important to note that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not the same as IBD. IBS is your gastrointestinal tract’s adverse reaction to certain foods or an infection. It can usually be controlled with specific medications and dietary changes based on your symptoms. IBD is a serious and chronic disease that requires immediate medical attention.

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Symptoms
of IBD

  • Diarrhea
  • Bloody stools
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Rashes and sores on the skin
  • Ulcers in the mouth
  • Eye inflammation & blurry vision
  • Fever & fatigue
  • Arthritis

IBD flare-ups often last for a few weeks. The symptoms may be controlled with medications for each flare-up, but can also require chronic medical treatment to avoid relapses. More severe cases require surgery. You should consult our Pasadena colorectal surgeons if you notice the following symptoms the very first time, to best treat your condition from the start.

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What causes inflammation in the digestive tract?

There is no one single cause for IBD. Initially, doctors presumed that certain diets or lifestyles were responsible for the inflammation of the bowel, but today, research has shown that a variety of factors such as environmental exposures, genetics, and a malfunctioning immune system can also lead to IBD.

Most IBD cases are the result of an autoimmune response, when our immunity mistakenly attacks the cells of our body, causing organ inflammation.

However, your susceptibility to IBD increases if:

  • You are of Caucasian descent.
  • You consume more processed or fast foods.
  • You live in geographically cold regions.
  • You are a woman.

Having IBD increases your risk of colon cancer and you must consult either Dr. Howard Kaufman, Gabriel Akopian, or Dr. Juliane Golan for diagnosis and treatment.

Managing the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Although intensive research is being done in IBD, and new medications are being approved in the use of IBD, some patients will require surgery when these medications don’t work to control their symptoms. Our colorectal surgeons will work with your gastroenterologist to help decide if surgery is the right decision for you. Our number one priority is to help relieve your pain and discomfort and help you lead a happy and comfortable life.

Surgery may be recommended in very serious cases when a large part of the small or large intestine is diseased. Here, the diseased sections will be surgically removed and the gastrointestinal tract reconstructed to facilitate digestion.

At Huntington Colorectal Surgeons, we specialize in robotic surgery. You can trust us for minimally-invasive IBD surgery that is safe and effective.

Contact us for more information.

626.397.5896

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