IBD Tests / Medications

Individuals with IBD often undergo physical examinations to allow healthcare professionals to understand more about their IBD. This page will briefly inform you about different kinds of investigations and procedures that IBD healthcare professionals may do to further understand your IBD. Further information on all of these tests can be found at IBDclinic.org.au

 

The main types of investigation used for IBD are:

 

• Physical examination
  • Your healthcare professional may physically examine your abdomen or rectal area for signs of IBD activity

 

• Lab tests: Blood tests, stool specimen
  • Lab tests involve taking a sample of blood or stool to be analysed in a lab for things such as nutritional levels, bacterial infections and to assess degree of inflammation

 

• Colonoscopy
  • Colonoscopy involves an internal examination of the large intestine in hospital under sedation

 

• Gastroscopy
  • Gastroscopy involves an internal examination of the oesophagus and stomach in hospital under sedation

 

• Computerised tomography (CT) scan
  • A CT scan involves taking a series of X-ray images that can show the internal structure of your body

 

• Video Capsule Endoscopy
  • A capsule-sized camera which can be swallowed to record images from inside your digestive tract

 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • An MRI involves a high-resolution image being taken within a magnetic field to produce images of the internal structure of your body

 

• Ultrasound
  • An ultrasound scanner is a device that is pressed against your abdomen to show the internal structures below the scanner

 

• Bone Density
  • A DEXA scan focuses on the density of your bones using a series of X-ray images to determine whether bone thinning has occurred associated with medication or nutrition

 

 

Further information on all of these tests can be found at IBD.Mindovergut.com

 

 

IBD treatment

Treatment for IBD varies dependent on several factors, such as whether you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and which areas of the gut are affected. Further information on all of these treatments can be found at IBDclinic.org.au

 

-  Pharmacological treatment

• Medications such as antibiotics or steroids are often used to help treat symptoms of IBD.
• Medications use vary between Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, and are taken differently dependent on whether you are having a flare of symptoms or maintenance of remission
• Medications need to be taken consistently in order to be effective. There are issues related to cost and forgetting to take them. If you have any issues or reservations about your medications, speak to your doctor.

 

-  Surgical treatment

• Surgical treatment is reserved for specific circumstances which are unable to be controlled with medication, or are a result of a complication of IBD. This procedure is effective at relieving specific symptoms of IBD.
• Surgery is infrequent, however many people with IBD will need surgery at least once in their life.

 

-  Nutrition

• Nutrition can be challenging for individuals with IBD as during a flare up you may not feel like eating or may not absorb nutrients well.
• Nutritional therapy can help to establish a diet that keeps your nutrition up and also avoid trigger foods that upset your IBD.
• Specialized nutrition therapy can also be used as primary therapy in Crohns Disease

 

 

Further information on all of these treatments can be found at IBD.Mindovergut.com