Crohn’s Disease

More than 500,000 Americans have Crohn’s disease, a potentially severe gastrointestinal disorder. At Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island with offices in Wantagh and Malverne, New York, gastroenterologists Jeffrey Novak, MD, and Zachary Marwil, MD, specialize in diagnosing and treating Crohn’s disease. Call the nearest office today to learn more about managing Crohn’s disease, or book your appointment online.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition causing ongoing inflammation and irritation of your digestive tract. If you have Crohn’s disease, you might have stomach cramps, diarrhea, and similar symptoms. There’s no cure for Crohn’s disease, but healthy lifestyle changes and medication can improve your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Chronic diarrhea
• Feeling full
• Rectal bleeding
• Skin tags on the buttocks

As the condition worsens, you could also develop an anal fissure, a tear in the tissue that lines your rectum.

When should I see a specialist for Crohn’s disease?

Make an appointment with the providers at Gastrointestinal Specialists of  Long Island if you have any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms, like abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or vomiting. That’s especially true if your symptoms last more than a day or two and don’t improve with at-home treatments.

How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?

To diagnose Crohn’s disease, your Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. They also order several tests, including bloodwork to check for a high white blood cell count (indicating infection) and a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, your provider inserts a thin, lighted tube with a camera on its end (colonoscope) through your rectum into your colon. Your provider uses the colonoscope to look for abnormal growths (polyps), inflammation, and/or scar tissue.

How is Crohn’s disease treated?

Treating Crohn’s disease depends on various things, including your age, how severe your symptoms are, and your general health. The providers at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island could recommend:

• Antibiotics to treat or prevent infection
• Antidiarrheal medication
• Biologics (drugs that help suppress your immune system)
• Bowel rest (intravenous nutrition)
• Corticosteroids
• Immunomodulators (drugs that calm your immune system)

If these treatments don’t provide lasting relief or your symptoms get worse, the team might recommend surgery. Surgery won’t cure Crohn’s disease, but it can fix problems with your gastrointestinal tract, like blockages, tears, or bleeding.

Call Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island today to learn more about the treatment of Crohn’s disease, or click the online booking feature to make your appointment.