What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term referring to certain chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two terms most often assigned to the different types of IBD. Although they are different diseases with a variety of forms, each disease causes the destruction of the digestive system, producing a similar group of life-altering symptoms.

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What Is The Difference Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is easily confused with another condition known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As much as 25% of the population in the United States report symptoms of IBS, and up to 50% of patients seen by gastroenterologists have symptoms of IBS.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have similar symptoms, but the underlying disease process is quite different. Like IBS, the most common symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is diarrhea. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, bloody stool, blocked bowels, fever, loss of body fluids and appetite, extreme weight loss, and anemia.

 

IBD is inflammation or destruction of the bowel wall, which can lead to deep ulcerations (sores) and narrowing of the intestines. IBS, however, differs in that it is a disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract for which no apparent cause can be found and in which inflammation does not necessarily occur. A patient can possibly have both IBD and IBS.

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What's The Difference Between Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis?:

Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation of Crohn's disease can be patchy and noncontinuous and can deeply penetrate into the bowel wall. Even if the affected part of a Crohn's disease bowel is removed, the disease may recur.

 

Ulcerative colitis differs in that it affects only the colon. The inflammation does not go past the inner layer of the bowel wall. Ulcerative colitis can be limited to the rectum or can extend further up the large bowel. In some cases, it can affect the entire colon. The inflammation of ulcerative colitis is continuous, not patchy. Ulcerative colitis can be completely cured by surgical removal of the colon and rectum.

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Is IBD a Genetically Inherited Disease?:

Approximately 25% of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients have a direct relative who also has the disease, leading scientists to believe that it may be hereditary. A responsible gene, however, has not yet been identified. IBD affects men and women equally and can occur at any age, from young children to the elderly. Regionally, the diseases are most often found in the United States, Canada and Europe, although the number of cases is rising in the industrialized parts of Asia. Jewish Americans are four to five times more likely to develop IBD than the population as a whole.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Treatment:

Because Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition, an important part of treatment involves careful management of the disease so that patients have the best chance of controlling their symptoms. Patients may need antibiotics, antidiarrheal drugs, lifestyle changes, and depending on the severity of the disease, sometimes surgery (although this is uncommon).

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Why Choose Us for Your IBD Treatment?:

Our board certified physicians have cared for patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease for over thirty years. They have participated in pivotal clinical research studies, many of which have contributed to and resulted in the approval of medications currently utilized in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients.

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Diseases We Treat:

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are the two most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease. In both cases, the lining of the digestive tract is inflamed and causes bouts of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Crohn's disease can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, often spreading through the layers of affected tissue. Ulcerative colitis, however, usually affects only the innermost lining (mucosa) of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

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Services Provided:

Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology and Atlanta Endoscopy Center comprise the most advanced facilities for the diagnosis​ and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

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Regular Out-Patient Care: Our physicians provide consultation, diagnosis and treatment as part of routine medical follow-up office visits, or whenever new problems arise for a patient. Our board certified gastroenterologists treat each patient with his or her own unique tailored treatment of care. Prevention is an important element in the patient's care, comprising aspects such as osteoporosis, nutrition, physical education, stress relief, psychological support and so on. Our physicians discuss these aspects along with potential treatment remedies at the time of your visit.

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Emergency Calls: When a new problem arises that must be dealt with prior to an existing scheduled patient appointment, you may call our offices directly at the time of the occurrence. You will then be advised on how may be best to proceed, and will be given an urgent / expedited appointment when medical need necessitates.

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Clinical Trials and Investigations:

Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology, PC performs clinical trials (research studies) to find new and more effective treatments for the various forms of intestinal disease. Most medications and medical techniques that are currently used have been tested in extensive clinical trials before becoming available to the public. Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may have an opportunity to participate in a various clinical trials that are being conducted within our research division. The ability to participate in such trials depends on the eligibility requirements for the study, the patient's condition and what stage the trial is at. If you are interested in participating in a trial, please submit an Inquiry Form located on the Clinical Trials page of our website.

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Our Physicians - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):

Dr. Rausher is recognized both nationally and internationally for his work in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Infusion therapies are one way in which treatment may be provided for individuals suffering from IBD. Dr. Rausher's efforts in clinical research have advanced the treatments of many digestive diseases, especially Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

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One of Dr. Rausher's top priorities is his dedication to the evaluation and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis patients. Treatment is provided utilizing the latest techniques in diagnosis including laboratory and endoscopic imagining. We are able to specifically tailor your therapy based on the most up to date state-of-the-art strategies.