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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Treatment

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IBD: The Changing Face of Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Free Virtual Event, May 21

If you or a loved one are among the 1.6 million Americans that suffer from one of IBD’s two primary disorders, Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, you know the impact these painful, chronic conditions have on your quality of life. Watch what our physician experts have to say, then ask questions and hear their answers in real time!

Learn more and register

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can affect your overall physical and mental health. Our team can provide an accurate diagnosis, for every type of IBD including Crohn's and colitis, and create a targeted treatment plan to help you feel your best.

IBD treatment: Why choose us?

Patients come to us from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond because we treat even the most complex cases of IBD. Highlights of our care include:

  • Specialized team: Our gastroenterologists, surgeons, nutritionists, pharmacists, physician assistants and nurses work together to create your treatment plan. We provide exceptional depth of experience as a high-volume IBD center. Meet our team.

  • Comprehensive care: We offer the complete range of treatments for IBD, including the latest medications and surgical options. We take the time to explain all your choices so you can make informed decisions. 

  • Clinical trials: Our physician-scientists are researching and pioneering new tests and treatments for IBD. As our patient, you may be eligible for innovative therapies before they’re widely available. Learn more about digestive health research.

  • Research: The Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health studies donated tissue samples to understand the causes of IBD. With these samples, we aim to discover ways to prevent or cure these conditions. Contact us to learn how you can become a part of this research. 

Diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease

We diagnose every type of IBD, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC) and microscopic colitis. An accurate diagnosis requires a physical exam, medical tests and a discussion of your health history. 

Our team walks you through each step and explains which tests you need and why. Your tests may include:

  • Lab tests: We monitor multiple blood tests, including white and red blood cell counts, which can reveal problems like infections or low iron levels. We regularly perform tests to detect complications of IBD, such as inflammation and nutrient deficiencies, before they cause issues. Our team also uses regular blood tests to ensure you have the right medication dose and to help you avoid side effects.
  • Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): These scans use X-rays or magnetic forces and a computer to collect detailed images of your internal organs. These images can reveal inflammation or other complications of IBD.
  • Endoscopy: Our gastroenterologists examine the inside of your digestive tract during these tests, which may include colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy). We may also take a biopsy (sample) of tissue and test it for inflammation. If there is no inflammation, we use a blue dye during colonoscopy to offer chromoscopy. This test enables us to detect and remove precancerous cells that can occur with UC and Crohn’s disease.   
  • Small bowel enteroscopy or double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE): These tests allow us to look deeper into your small intestine than we can with a traditional endoscopy. With this technology, we can diagnose and treat Crohn’s disease in the midsection of the small intestine without resorting to surgery.  
  • Capsule endoscopy: This noninvasive test is helpful if we suspect you could have Crohn’s disease in your small intestine. Learn more about our advanced endoscopy procedures.

IBD treatments we provide

Our team is skilled in the full range of IBD therapies. We evaluate your test results and consider factors like your overall health, lifestyle and symptoms to determine the best plan for you. Your treatment may include:

  • Many cases of IBD improve with the right medications. We offer the newest medications available, including those in clinical trials. Depending on your test results and individual needs, we may recommend:

    • Antibiotics, which can treat complications of Crohn’s disease, such as abscesses or fistulas.  
    • Biologic medications, which use customized proteins to block only the parts of the immune system causing problems in IBD. These medications minimize the risk of side effects or infections.  
    • Immune modulators, which suppress your immune system more gently than steroids to treat and prevent flare-ups.  
    • Steroids, which calm the overactive immune response that occurs with IBD flare-ups.

  • Your treatment plan may include keeping a food diary to determine which foods may worsen your symptoms. Our skilled nutritionists help you create a personalized plan that addresses or prevents nutritional deficiencies that commonly occur with IBD.

  • If medications and diet changes aren’t enough, you may need surgery. Depending on the type of IBD you have, your surgery may involve:

    • J-pouch surgery: Also called an ileal pouch anal-anastomosis (IPAA), this surgery treats ulcerative colitis by removing your colon and rectum and creating a J-shaped pouch inside your body. With this procedure, you don’t need a permanent ostomy bag, and many cases of UC can be cured.
    • Laparoscopic or robotic colorectal resection: This surgery works best if Crohn’s disease affects only one part of your intestines. Our surgeons remove the affected portion and reconnect the healthy parts. With our minimally invasive techniques, you have smaller incisions and a faster recovery.
    • Kono-S anastomosis: We use this method during colorectal resection to help prevent Crohn’s disease from returning. This procedure preserves blood vessels and nerves in your intestines, which increases their ability to heal properly.

    Our colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists meet every week to coordinate and provide exceptional care before, during and after your IBD surgery. We walk you through each step and provide comprehensive follow-up care to help you stay well.

Find a specialist

Our team provides expert IBD care that meets all your needs.