How do you diagnose crohn's disease?

Answer 1

Getting a diagnosis for crohn's disease is a process. Probably the first thing they will have you do is provide a stool sample (poop in a cup). This test will be able to detect things such as if your colon is over or under producing certain bacteria. This will not diagnose crohn's disease but it will narrow the search for what may be the cause of such problems. The next test they will perform is a colonoscopy and upper appendectomy. for this procedure they will have to look in side you with a very small camera to look for things like inflammation and ulcers. Generally, after this test doctors are able to make a diagnosis for either crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, which are both inflammatory bowel diseases. However, in order to see the full extent of where each patient's crohn's disease is located the must do one final test. This test involves drinking barium, which is a very heavy substance that sticks to the inside of your digestive tract when consumed. You will then lie on an xray table and they wil be able to see inflammation in any of the areas that the colonoscopy couldn not reach

Answer 2

The following help in the diagnosis of Crohn's disease:

1. ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (it will be increased)

2. Blood counts: There will be anemia (due to constant blood loss due to the disease).

3. Endoscopy: direct visualization of the Colon (or the affected intestinal segment through an apparatus with attached camera).

4. Xray like Barium enema.

5. Biopsy of the segment taken while doing Colonoscopy.