The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Tests will be done to rule out other causes for the symptoms, such as infection.
This can be done with:
- Blood tests—to look for anemia and signs of inflammation
- Stool (poop) sample—to look for blood or signs of infection
Tests may be done to view the colon and rectum. This can be done with:
| Colonoscope |
|
| Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Pictures may be taken to view the intestines and surrounding structures. This can be done with:
A sample of intestinal tissue may be taken during these tests. This can be done with a biopsy. The sample will be sent for testing.
References
Crohn disease in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/crohn-disease-in-adults. Accessed April 25, 2022.
Ulcerative colitis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis-in-adults. Accessed April 25, 2022.
What is Crohn's disease? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-crohns-disease. Accessed April 25, 2022.
What is Ulcerative Colitis? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation website. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-ulcerative-colitis. Accessed April 25, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review BoardDaniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 04/25/2022