Colitis and IBD in Tijuana: the right name for what you feel

“Colitis” is used for almost any bowel discomfort, but irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are very different conditions. Telling them apart is the first step toward feeling better.

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Colitis, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in Tijuana

Colitis & IBD

What it is

Colitis, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits without damage to the intestine. It is very common, it is real, and it is managed with diet, habits and medication.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, in which the immune system inflames and injures the intestine. It causes diarrhea with blood, weight loss and, in Crohn’s, fistulas and abscesses around the anus. It needs specialized treatment and long-term follow-up.

Symptoms worth evaluating

Abdominal pain that improves after a bowel movement
Bloating and gas
Diarrhea, constipation or both
Blood or mucus in the stool
Urgency or nighttime bowel movements

The diagnosis is confirmed at your evaluation.

Treatment

How colitis is studied and treated

From the simplest to the most specialized; we only move forward if needed.

History and exam

Your symptoms, their pattern and your family history guide which tests are really needed.

Lab tests and stool studies

Blood count, inflammation markers and fecal calprotectin help separate IBS from IBD.

Colonoscopy with biopsies

Direct view of the colon and tissue samples to confirm or rule out inflammatory disease.

A plan for your diagnosis

Diet and medication for IBS; anti-inflammatory and immune therapy, and surgery when needed, for IBD.

Diagnosis

The surgeon’s role in IBD

Medical treatment of IBD is coordinated with gastroenterology. The colorectal surgeon treats perianal Crohn’s disease, fistulas, abscesses and strictures, and performs surgery when medication is not enough, and keeps watch for colon cancer, whose risk rises after years of inflammation.

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FAQ

What people ask most

Is irritable bowel the same as colitis?

Not exactly. In IBS the intestine is not inflamed or damaged. In ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease it is, and treatment is entirely different.

Do I need a colonoscopy?

It is recommended when there is bleeding, weight loss, anemia, nighttime symptoms, a family history of IBD or colon cancer, or when you are due for screening.

Does IBD always require surgery?

No. Many people are controlled with medication. Surgery is used for complications or when medical treatment fails, and it is planned jointly.

This page offers general information and does not replace a medical visit. Every case is assessed individually; results and recovery times vary from person to person.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer usually begins as a polyp that takes years to turn malignant.

Learn more

Constipation

Going fewer than three times a week, straining or feeling that you never finish is not normal just because it has been that way for years.