Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two conditions where chronic inflammation develops in the large (colon) or small intestine. IBD affects nearly 1 million Americans, 1 in 4 of whom are children.
At BMC, we have a team of providers, nurses, and other medical professionals dedicated to caring for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This program has a number of unique features, including:
- Holistic care: We help you navigate every aspect of dealing with IBD, including education and advocacy, psychological support, dealing with insurance requirements, access to clinical trials, and pharmacy and nutrition counseling. We put you in the center of our team, coordinating your care to fit your needs and ensuring you get the best outcomes possible.
- Team-based: Once enrolled in our program, you can see any doctor or physician assistant (PA) according to what suits your schedule. We have both in-person and video consultations from Monday-Friday most weeks. Our clinical pharmacist and IBD nurse are also available for video consultations and education sessions.
- National experts: Our team members are recognized nationally for their expertise in IBD, giving lectures, publishing clinical guidelines and writing research papers.
What are the symptoms of IBD?
Common symptoms of IBD include:
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anemia
How is IBD diagnosed?
Boston Medical Center provides all tests necessary to diagnose IBD, including colonoscopy, biopsy, imaging (CT, MRI), and blood or stool tests. Our Crohn's & Colitis Program Endoscopy Center uses high-definition and imaging techniques scopes to look for both inflammation and complications of IBD, such as scar tissue (strictures) and early cancer (dysplasia).
How is IBD treated?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions, like asthma or diabetes. This means that long-term medical treatment, including pills, suppositories, injections, or infusions, is needed to control the inflammation. Diet and lifestyle changes are usually necessary as well. When inflammation is controlled, we say IBD is in remission. Our Crohn's & Colitis Program team of doctors, physician assistants, pharmacists, and nurses provide treatment options, education, medication approvals, and injection training on site. We can work with your insurance on approvals, set up home infusions, and liaise with your other doctors to make your treatment plan seamless.
About the Gastroenterology Department
Gastroenterology services at Boston Medical Center include the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of digestive disorders, from peptic ulcers and reflux to Crohn's disease and cancer. In addition, the team cares for patients with motility disturbances, neuroendocrine tumors, and hepatobiliary disorders, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, pancreatic disease, and biliary obstruction. As our patient, you'll receive a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to care that not only includes medical and surgical doctors, but also experts in nutrition, nursing, psychiatry, radiology, urology, and more.
For more information about our Crohn's and Colitis Program, call 617.638.6116