Skip to main content

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist

Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants -  - Gastroenterologist

Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants

Gastroenterologists & Hepatologists located in Lake Worth, FL

As many as 70,000 new cases of inflammatory bowel disease are diagnosed in the United States each year. Inflammatory bowel disease, also called IBD, is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that cause chronic inflammation, pain, and discomfort in the digestive tract. To help you accurately diagnose and manage inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, the medical team at Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants in Lake Worth, Florida, offers comprehensive and customized treatment plans. The team tailors your treatment to prevent recurrent symptoms and damage to your digestive tract. If you have symptoms of either inflammatory bowel disease, don’t delay an evaluation. Call the practice today, or request an appointment online.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Q & A

What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?

Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term for auto-immune disorders that cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Depending on the presentation of your specific symptoms, you could be diagnosed with either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a condition that involves the inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract and the deeper layers of surrounding tissue. 

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition that causes persistent inflammation in the inner lining of your large intestine and rectum. This condition can also cause ulcers or sores to develop on the lining. 

What are the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease?

The symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease can vary based on what part of the digestive tract has inflammation. Your symptoms can range in severity, from mild to life-threatening. 

Some of the most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Bloody stool
  • Change in appetite
  • Unexpected weight loss

Abdominal cramping and pain are also common side effects of inflammatory bowel disease. You can even experience a fever or persistent tiredness as a result of your condition. 

It’s important to seek an evaluation of these symptoms as soon as possible because they can indicate inflammatory bowel disease or other serious conditions, including colon cancer.

How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?

The Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants medical team offers comprehensive on-site diagnostic testing options for inflammatory bowel disease, including:

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy uses a flexible tube and camera to explore the colon and identify areas of inflammation.

Upper endoscopy

An upper endoscopy uses a flexible tube and attached camera to evaluate the upper part of the gastrointestinal system, including the esophagus and stomach.

Capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy uses a small, wireless camera in an easy-to-swallow capsule that records images of your small intestine as it passes through.

How is inflammatory bowel disease treated?

Treating inflammatory bowel disease focuses on keeping your symptoms under control and preventing new inflammation. 

In many cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are useful in reducing existing inflammation and preventing damage to your digestive tract. You may also need immune-suppressing drugs that reduce the release of chemicals that cause inflammation in the intestinal lining. 

Your Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants provider can also recommend vitamins and supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications to reduce the frequency of inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups.

When your symptoms are severe and conservative treatments do not offer relief, you may need surgery to remove damaged parts of your digestive tract to ease symptoms. 

To learn more about available treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, call Eisenman & Eisenman, M.D., Advanced Gastro Consultants, or book an appointment online now.