What is IBD? Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Explained
Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella term that primarily includes two conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Though they share similarities, these conditions affect your body differently.
Crohn’s disease can impact any part of your digestive tract, from your mouth to your anus. It often affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) and the beginning of the colon. The inflammation from Crohn’s disease can reach deep into the layers of your bowel tissue, creating patches of damaged areas alongside healthy sections.
Ulcerative colitis, unlike Crohn’s disease, only affects the colon (large intestine) and rectum. The inflammation occurs only in the innermost lining of the bowel, creating continuous areas of inflammation rather than patches. In severe ulcerative colitis, this ongoing inflammation can lead to serious digestive problems and complications.
You’re not alone if you’re dealing with these conditions. About 3.1 million adults in the United States have received an IBD diagnosis, with cases split between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Recognizing the Signs: Is this Happening to You?
The symptoms of inflammatory bowel can disrupt your everyday life in ways that go beyond occasional discomfort.
If you have Crohn’s disease, you’ll likely experience:
- Persistent, urgent diarrhea that disrupts your daily routine
- Intense belly pain after eating that forces you to skip meals
- Overwhelming fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Noticeable weight loss without trying
- Mild pain that escalates to severe cramping during flare-ups
With ulcerative colitis, you’ll typically face:
- Bloody stools with mucus that can’t be ignored
- Multiple bathroom trips throughout the night that leave you exhausted
- Sharp abdominal pain that prevents concentration
- Debilitating fatigue that makes simple tasks feel impossible
- Urgent bowel movements that come with little warning
When Should You Seek Treatment for IBD Symptoms?
Digestive troubles happen to everyone occasionally. But these specific warning signs indicate it’s time to see a doctor immediately:
- Symptoms that persist beyond a week
- Pain severe enough to wake you from sleep
- Blood in your stool (bright red or dark/tarry)
- Weight loss of 5+ pounds without trying
- Inability to complete your normal work or family responsibilities
Many Los Angeles patients delay seeking treatment for their Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, often suffering needlessly for months or years. Early intervention by a digestive diseases specialist like Dr. Wang can prevent serious complications like toxic megacolon, bowel obstructions, and increased risk of colon cancer.
You don’t need to experience all these symptoms to have IBD. Even one or two persistent symptoms warrant proper evaluation. Blood tests and diagnostic imaging can determine if inflammatory bowel disease is causing your symptoms or if another condition needs treatment.
David Wang, MD
The Path to Diagnosis: Finding Answers at SCMSC
Getting the right diagnosis can feel like finishing a complicated puzzle. Many patients spend months or even years trying to understand their symptoms before finding answers.
Dr. David Wang and the SCMSC team are here to help determine what is really going on with your health.
Breaking the Cycle of Uncertainty
“It’s just stress.” “Try changing your diet.” “It’s probably IBS.”
If you’ve heard these suggestions while struggling with persistent digestive symptoms, you’re experiencing what many IBD patients go through before diagnosis. This uncertainty takes both a physical and emotional toll on your digestive tract and overall wellbeing.
The constant worry about unpredictable symptoms transforms your daily life. Social gatherings become sources of anxiety rather than enjoyment as you calculate bathroom proximity and worry about severe diarrhea or abdominal pain striking without warning. Making future plans feels impossible when you can’t predict if your symptoms will become worse tomorrow. Friends and family members, though well-meaning, often don’t understand why your immune system seems to be attacking your digestive system, leaving you isolated. Worst of all, you might begin questioning your own perceptions when doctors dismiss symptoms that are dramatically affecting your quality of life.
Getting a proper diagnosis from specialists who understand inflammatory bowel disease doesn’t just provide medical clarity—it validates your experience and opens the door to effective treatment options that can reduce inflammation and prevent serious complications. Many patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis describe their diagnosis day as a turning point, when their suffering finally gained a name and a path forward with their healthcare team became clear.
The Diagnostic Approach at SCMSC
Dr. Wang designs a personalized diagnostic pathway for each patient seeking answers about inflammatory bowel disease. While SCMSC offers the full spectrum of diagnostic tools, Dr. Wang carefully selects only those tests most relevant to your unique symptoms and medical history, avoiding unnecessary procedures while ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Medical History and Physical Examination
Dr. Wang takes time to listen to your complete symptom history, family history of digestive diseases, and current health status—often discovering important clues that previous doctors missed.
Blood Tests
When appropriate, blood tests can reveal signs of inflammation, anemia from blood loss, or nutritional deficiencies. They also help assess your liver function and how your immune system is responding.
Stool Tests
For many patients, specialized stool analysis helps rule out infections and check for hidden blood or inflammatory markers without invasive procedures.
Imaging Tests
CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of your digestive tract when needed to evaluate complications. MRI shows detailed images without radiation exposure, particularly valuable for evaluating the small intestine in Crohn’s disease.
Endoscopic Procedures
Colonoscopy allows Dr. Wang to view your entire colon and take tissue samples if needed. Upper endoscopy examines your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. For hard-to-reach areas, capsule endoscopy uses a swallowed camera to see sections traditional scopes can’t access.
At SCMSC, these procedures are performed with your comfort in mind. Dr. Wang personally performs all colonoscopies and endoscopic procedures, ensuring consistent, expert care throughout your entire diagnostic journey.
The results of these carefully selected tests help Dr. Wang create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific type of IBD and its severity, whether you’re dealing with mild symptoms or severe Crohn’s disease requiring immediate intervention.
Expert Second Opinions at SCMSC
SCMSC offers thorough second opinions from our team of specialists who often identify less invasive treatment options overlooked by others. Our collaborative approach brings multiple surgical perspectives to your case—something rarely found in traditional hospital settings.
Many patients discover alternatives to major surgery or more precise treatment approaches after consulting with our experts. Whether you're facing a new diagnosis or considering surgery, our team provides clarity and confidence in your healthcare decisions.
Learn more about our unique second opinion process or call (818) 900-6480 to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our Care Coordinator.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment at SCMSC
Every case of inflammatory bowel disease is unique, which is why cookie-cutter approaches often fall short. At SCMSC, your treatment plan is tailored specifically to you.
Gut Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle Strategies
The microbiome—the collection of bacteria in your digestive tract—plays a crucial role in IBD. Research shows that people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis often have an imbalanced microbiome. Scientific evidence increasingly supports the use of certain probiotic strains for IBD management. Studies show particular benefit for maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. We partner with Biote to offer complementary approaches that support conventional inflammatory bowel disease treatment.
Our personalized gut health program begins with comprehensive testing to identify your unique microbiome profile. Many patients find that combining traditional medications with targeted probiotics provides more complete relief from flare-ups and abdominal pain than medication alone. This integrated approach helps maintain remission longer while addressing digestive diseases at their source. Your healthcare team monitors your progress carefully, adjusting recommendations based on your food diary and symptom tracking to create a sustainable path to digestive wellness.
Non-Invasive Surgical Solutions When You Need Them
While medication successfully manages most inflammatory bowel disease cases, surgical intervention becomes necessary for approximately 30% of ulcerative colitis patients and up to 70% of people with Crohn’s disease. Surgery may be recommended when medications fail to control symptoms, when complications like bowel obstructions, fistulas, or abscesses develop, or when precancerous changes increase the risk of colon cancer.
SCMSC offers minimally invasive surgical options that provide smaller incisions, faster recovery, reduced infection risk, and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional approaches. For example, a standard colectomy typically requires a week-long hospital stay with 4-6 weeks recovery, but our advanced techniques often allow patients to leave the hospital in just 3-4 days and return to regular activities within 2-3 weeks.
Dr. Wang coordinates is a rectal surgical specialist, ensuring seamless care when ulcerative colitis or severe Crohn’s disease requires surgical management.
Why Early, Expert Treatment Matters
The impact extends far beyond these physical symptoms. Uncontrolled IBD typically makes consistent work impossible while mental health suffers dramatically from the unpredictability of symptoms. Personal relationships strain under the burden of canceled plans, and overall quality of life declines as simple activities become overwhelming challenges. Early intervention by specialists like Dr. Wang can prevent this cascade of complications, controlling inflammation before permanent damage occurs and giving you the best chance at maintaining normal activities without life-altering consequences.
Reclaiming Your Life
One SCMSC patient with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis shares: “After years of unpredictable symptoms worse than I could manage, I finally found Dr. Wang. His personalized treatment plan helped me achieve remission for the first time in five years—my flare-ups have decreased dramatically, and my immune system finally seems balanced. I no longer need over-the-counter medicines constantly, and my food diary shows I can eat most foods without triggering symptoms. I can now plan vacations and enjoy restaurants without fear.”
While inflammatory bowel disease remains a chronic condition without a permanent cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the right medical management approach can help treat complications, maintain remission, and allow you to reclaim your life despite your diagnosis.
What Sets SCMSC Apart
SCMSC transforms IBD treatment through our unique approach. Our advantages include:
- Comprehensive Care – All services under one roof, eliminating multiple specialist visits
- Advanced Technology – High-definition diagnostics and minimally invasive surgical techniques
- Integrative Philosophy – Evidence-based combination of conventional treatments and specialized gut health protocols
- Expert Leadership – Dr. Wang’s focused expertise in inflammatory bowel conditions
- Coordinated Team – Specialists working together on complex cases with seamless communication
“The team at SCMSC gave me hope again. They looked at my whole health picture, not just my digestive symptoms. Their combined approach has given me better results than I thought possible.”
– Former Crohn’s Disease Patient
Contact the SCMSC Team
For Urgent Concerns
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms like significant bleeding, intense pain, or high fever, please call our office immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Taking this step isn’t just about treating a condition—it’s about reclaiming your life from the limitations of IBD. Dr. Wang and the entire SCMSC team look forward to helping you write a new chapter in your health story.
IBS Q&A
