Treatment Centers for Crohn's

Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disease of the intestines, can affect any part of a patient's gastrointestinal tract. While some cases are mild, more severe cases often require surgery or specialized medical care. Finding a facility that you are comfortable with before you need one can go a long way toward easing your concerns regarding your Crohn's flare-ups.

When to Seek Help

• Crohn's disease is characterized by symptoms that could be caused by many ailments. Diarrhea, anemia, abdominal pain and nausea are all common symptoms of Crohn's. Patients suffering from any of these should go to a physician for a complete evaluation. If you experience chronic abdominal pain, fatigue or frequent bowel movements, your doctor will likely order a colonoscopy and endoscopy to look for abrasions, ulcers or abnormalities in the colon, intestines or stomach. If your doctor confirms a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, you will need to find a specialist, a gastroenterologist who is experienced in treating Crohn's and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, for further treatment.

Finding a Specialist

• Your primary care physician will usually refer you to a gastroenterologist. However, it's important to find a specialist whom you're comfortable with. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America suggests starting with a list of gastroenterologists in your insurance network. "Once you've gathered their names and contact information, you can ask your primary care physician about them, look them up online or check print directories for detailed information regarding their education, qualifications and subspecialties."

Choosing a Facility

• If you are diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, there's a good chance you will need to find a treatment facility for surgery. Dr. Aline Chabaraty, a gastroenterologist who specializes in Crohn's disease at Georgetown University, says, "Up to a third of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) patients will need surgery at some point to remove obstructions or diseased areas that haven't responded to treatment." Choosing a treatment facility is a personal decision. Consider things like how far you are willing to travel, the services the facility offers and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Communicating With Your Doctor

• Since there is no cure for Crohn's disease, you should review your treatment facility after your initial visit. It is important that you are satisfied with your care should you require additional treatment. Talk to your physician. Are you satisfied with the level of communication, compassion and expertise? If not, discuss your concerns. Tell the doctor what you expect. You may consider bringing a loved one along for moral support. The experts at the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America remind patients, "At times you may want to weigh different opinions and options. You always have the option of getting another opinion to help in your decision-making process."

Noted Facilities

• You can find top-notch facilities all over the United States. However, the ones below have been recognized by the Foundation for Clinical Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease for their work with Crohn's disease:

  The Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York has been noted as being a leader for research and specialized care of inflammatory bowel disease. The Division of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Medical Center is also a noted facility for the research and treatment of Crohn's disease.

  The Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the largest centers of its kind. It specializes in the diagnosis and treatment inflammatory bowel disease in children.

  The University of Chicago Section of Gastroenterology and Nutrition is one of the leaders in IBD clinical care, research and education.

  The University of Louisville has programs in education and research. The website for its Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery offers in-depth patient education for people with inflammatory bowel disease, including information about its ongoing research projects.

Seeking Additional Resources

• You are your own best advocate for proper health care. There are tons of resources online. Read up on the latest clinical and scientific information regarding Crohn's disease, so you can make knowledgeable decisions about your treatment. In the end, doing your research and gathering information will help you choose the facility that will work for you in the treatment of your Crohn's disease.