Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of IBD, but common symptoms may include:

Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea
Weight loss and loss of appetite
Bleeding from the intestines
Ulcers in the intestines
Inflammation of the rectum
Draining around the rectum
Bloating or feeling of fullness
Gas
Bloody diarrhea
Abdominal sounds (gurgling, etc.)
Nausea and vomiting
Joint pain

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include the following:

Upper GI endoscopy —a thin, lighted tube inserted down the throat to examine the upper part of the intestines
Colonoscopy —a thin, lighted tube inserted through the rectum and into the colon to examine the lining of the colon
Barium enema —injection of fluid into the rectum that makes your colon show up on an x-ray so the doctor can see abnormal spots in your colon
X-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
Capsule endoscopy —a wireless pill sized camera that you swallow
- It takes pictures of the small intestine as it passes through your intestines.
Blood tests
Stool culture

Colonoscopy

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