HOW IS INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
Inflammatory bowel disease may be mistaken for an infection or even depression, the disease is difficult to diagnose. Based on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and physical exam, a doctor may do a blood test. To make a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, a doctor must first exclude other possible causes of inflammation. For example, infection with parasites or bacteria may cause inflammation. Therefore, the doctor performs several tests. Stool samples obtained during a sigmoidoscopy are analyzed for evidence of a bacterial or parasitic infection. Blood samples can determine the presence of a parasitic infection as well, or of a second infection resulting from antibiotic use. A doctor also checks for sexually transmitted diseases of the rectum, such as gonorrhea, herpesvirus infection, and chlamydial infection. Tissue samples may be taken from the lining of the rectum and examined microscopically for evidence of colorectal cancer and other diseases that sometimes cause bloody
If you think you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), talk to your doctor. She or he will use your health history, a physical exam, and different tests to figure out if you have IBD and, if so, which type. Tests used to diagnose IBD include: • Blood tests. A sample of blood is studied in a lab to find signs of inflammation and anemia. • Stool sample. A sample of a bowel movement is tested for blood. It is also tested for signs of an infection that can trigger a flare-up of IBD. • Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy. For both of these tests, a long, thin tube with a lighted camera inside the tip is inserted into the anus. The image appears on a television screen. A sigmoidocospy (SIG-moi-DOSS-kuh-pee) allows the doctor to see the lining of the lower part of the large intestine. A colonoscopy (koh-lon-OSS-koh-pee) allows the doctor to see the lining of the entire large intestine and often the last part of the small intestines. The doctor will then be able to see any inflammation, bleeding, or
