Medical Management

Effective medical management is the cornerstone of IBD treatment at our clinic. We offer a range of pharmacological therapies aimed at reducing inflammation, managing symptoms, and inducing and maintaining remission. These include:

• Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs): Medications like mesalamine, used primarily for mild to moderate cases of ulcerative colitis.
• Corticosteroids: Such as prednisone and budesonide, which are used for short-term flare control due to their potent anti-inflammatory effects.
• Immunomodulators: Including azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, and methotrexate, which help to reduce the immune system’s activity and are used for long-term disease control.
• Biologics: Advanced therapies like infliximab, adalimumab, and vedolizumab target specific components of the immune system to control inflammation and are particularly useful in moderate to severe cases.
• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors: Such as tofacitinib, offering an oral alternative for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.

Nutritional Support

Nutrition plays a vital role in managing IBD. Our clinic provides tailored nutritional counseling and support to help patients maintain optimal health. Services include:

• Individualized diet plans: Designed to manage symptoms and prevent malnutrition.
• Enteral nutrition: Special liquid diets that provide essential nutrients and can help manage disease during flare-ups.
• Parenteral nutrition: For patients with severe disease who cannot obtain adequate nutrition through oral intake.

Surgical Interventions

While many patients with IBD can be managed with medical therapy, surgery is sometimes necessary. Our skilled surgeons are experienced in a range of procedures to address complications and improve quality of life. Common surgeries performed at our clinic include:

• Strictureplasty: A procedure to widen narrowed sections of the intestine without removing any part of it, typically used for patients with Crohn’s disease.
• Bowel resection: Involves removing damaged sections of the intestine and reconnecting the healthy parts, often necessary for both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA): Commonly known as J-pouch surgery, this procedure involves removing the colon and rectum and creating a new pathway for waste, used primarily for ulcerative colitis.
• Colectomy: Removal of the entire colon, which can be a life-saving procedure for severe, unresponsive ulcerative colitis.
• Abscess drainage: Draining infected pockets that can form in the abdomen due to IBD complications.

Advanced Diagnostic and Monitoring Techniques

Our clinic utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to monitor disease progression and response to treatment:

• Endoscopy: Including colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, to directly visualize and assess the intestinal lining.
• Imaging studies: Such as MRI enterography and CT enterography, to evaluate the extent of disease and identify complications.
• Biomarker testing: Monitoring inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin to guide treatment decisions.