Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Specialist

What are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are types of inflammatory bowel diseases that cause inflammation in your digestive tract, along with unpleasant symptoms in many cases. Dr. Prasad can diagnose the type of bowel disease you have and treat it to reduce your risk of complications.

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

Common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis include:

• Rectal pain or bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Blood or pus in your stool
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• Urgent need to defecate
• Unexplained weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Inability to defecate
• Fever
• Fatigue 
• Failure to grow (in children)
• Mouth sores
• Anal discomfort or drainage

Your symptoms could be mild or severe. Possible complications include bleeding, dehydration, a hole in your colon, ulcers, or bowel obstruction. Bone loss, colon cancer, and blood clots may also occur.

What are the risk factors for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

Factors that increase your risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases include:

• Family history of Crohn’s Disease 
• Family history of Ulcerative Colitis
• Being younger than age 30
• Smoking
• Some medications

The cause of inflammatory bowel diseases isn’t entirely clear, but getting treated for it reduces unpleasant symptoms and the risk of serious complications.

How does my provider diagnose Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis?

To diagnose your condition and treat it properly, Dr. Prasad discusses your symptoms and medical history with you. He checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, and may recommend diagnostic tests. Examples include blood tests, stool tests, a colonoscopy, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy to get a detailed view of your digestive tract.

Dr. Prasad may also order X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or a capsule endoscopy that uses a tiny pill you swallow to take pictures of the inside of your digestive tract. 

How are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis treated?

Depending on your specific condition and its severity, Dr. Prasad may recommend one of the following treatments for Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis:

• Medications 
• Dietary changes
• Multivitamin supplements 
• Stress reduction
• Surgery
• Routine colon cancer screenings

Eating smaller meals, limiting dairy foods, and drinking more liquids can also offer you some symptom relief. Dr. Prasad personalizes each treatment based on the specific condition you have, your needs, and your lifestyle.

To learn more about Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis treatment, schedule an appointment with Ishwari Prasad, MD, PhD, PA in Tampa or Brandon, Florida, by phone or online today.