IBD

Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland

Gastroenterologists located in New City, NY

Abdominal pain and bloody stools may be a sign that you have irritable bowel disease. To get a fast and accurate diagnosis of your symptoms, the medical team at Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland offers on-site diagnostics, including endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, at their New City, New York, office. The board-certified physicians provide comprehensive treatments, including medication therapy, to relieve IBD symptoms and improve your overall gastrointestinal health. Find out more about treating irritable bowel disease by calling the office or by booking an appointment online.

IBD Q & A

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes two conditions that cause chronic inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract (GI) — Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

In Crohn’s disease, the inflammation occurs in any part of your GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. Damage to the GI tract occurs in patchy areas and may go through multiple layers of GI tract walls.

In ulcerative colitis, inflammation affects the large intestine, or colon, and your rectum. Damage is continuous, often starting at your rectum and spreading into the colon. Inflammation usually affects only the inner layer of the colon lining.

Why irritable bowel disease develops is unclear, but it may relate to the health of your immune system, which is responsible for fighting off viruses and bacteria. If left untreated, IBD inflammation can result in permanent damage to your gastrointestinal tract.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel disease?

A number of symptoms can develop from irritable bowel disease, including:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Bloody stools
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Persistent diarrhea

As a result of irritable bowel disease, you may also experience unexpected weight loss.

Because symptoms of IBD are similar to other gastrointestinal issues, it’s important that you schedule an evaluation of your symptoms at Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland as soon as possible.

How is irritable bowel disease diagnosed?

The medical team at Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland offers on-site testing to specifically identify Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. 

Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy for Crohn’s disease diagnosis, which involves the insertion of a flexible tube with an attached camera into your mouth and down into your stomach. 

The camera sends real-time images of your internal structures to a monitor, which your doctor watches throughout the test to identify abnormalities.

Identifying ulcerative colitis often requires a colonoscopy, a diagnostic test that uses a scope with an attached camera to view the inner structures of your colon and rectum. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to identify areas of inflammation in those areas to confirm ulcerative colitis.

How is irritable bowel disease treated?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland doctor offers custom treatment plans that may include medicines, including a new class of biologics designed to treat IBD symptoms.

If you have severe damage to your gastrointestinal tract, you may also need surgery to remove affected areas.

Your Gastrointestinal Associates of Rockland doctor works closely with you to ensure your symptoms are well-managed. They also check the progress of your medication therapy to prevent damage to your GI tract.

If you struggle with pain and other symptoms that may indicate irritable bowel disease, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.