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![]() You’ll stand or sit in front of an X-ray machine and drink a chalky liquid called barium that makes your upper GI tract easier to view. A CT machine takes X-rays as you lie on a table. You may be given a solution to drink, along with an injection of contrast medium, a special type of dye that makes it easier to see structures in your body. A CT scan uses X-rays and computer technology to generate pictures of your digestive tract. Some common imaging tests used for Crohn’s disease include: The capsule eventually leaves your body when you poop.ĭoctors may also recommend imaging tests to get a better look at what’s going on inside your body. This lets the doctor see inside your digestive tract by recording and transmitting images to a small receiver that you wear. ![]() With a capsule endoscopy, you’ll swallow a pill that contains a tiny camera. For an enteroscopy, the doctor may use a special, longer instrument to examine the small intestine, too. This procedure is usually performed at a hospital or outpatient center. With an upper GI endoscopy, a doctor gently directs an endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine) to look inside your upper digestive tract. You will be given instructions on how to prep for a colonoscopy. This procedure is usually performed in a hospital or outpatient center. The doctor may also remove tissue samples (called a biopsy) to test for inflammation. A doctor uses an instrument called an endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera attached) to look inside your colon and rectum. EndoscopyĮndoscopy procedures are considered the most accurate way to diagnose Crohn’s disease.Ī healthcare professional might order one or more of the following types of endoscopy: Scientists are currently studying whether certain markers found in a person’s blood, tissue, or other bodily fluids could help predict whether they will experience mild or severe symptoms of IBD.īut while these “prognostic” tests are currently available, they are still in their early stages of development and aren’t widely adopted. Analyzing certain stool proteins, such as calprotectin and lactoferrin, can alert doctors if you have gastrointestinal inflammation. Analysts at a lab examine the sample to look for causes of digestive diseases. You’ll provide a sample of your poop in a small container. Examining certain blood biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), can also help doctors determine if there’s inflammation in your body. A high white blood cell count means there could be inflammation or an infection somewhere in your body. This can indicate bleeding in the colon or rectum. If you have fewer red blood cells than normal, you could have anemia. Blood tests can reveal your levels of red and white blood cells. Some lab tests used to diagnose Crohn’s include: Then, your doctor may order specific diagnostic tests to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Doctors can use a variety of tests to diagnose Crohn’s disease.įirst, a physician will likely ask about your medical history, and they ’ll also perform a physical exam.
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