How is Crohn’s disease diagnosed?

Crohn's disease is typically diagnosed using a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

Medical history: A healthcare professional will ask about the individual's symptoms, family history, and any other relevant information that may help with the diagnosis.

Physical examination: A physical examination will be done to check for signs of inflammation, such as a swollen or tender abdomen, or a fever.

Laboratory tests:

• Blood tests: to check for anemia, infection, and inflammation
• Stool tests: to check for blood or infection in the stool
• Imaging tests: such as X-ray, CT scan, and MRI can be used to visualize the digestive tract and identify areas of inflammation.
• Endoscopy: A small camera is passed through the mouth or anus to directly view the digestive tract.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: It combines an endoscope with ultrasound to give a detailed image of the digestive tract.
• Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed from the lining of the digestive tract and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

It is important to note that even with these tests, it can be difficult to distinguish Crohn's disease from other types of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis.

A definitive diagnosis of Crohn's disease is done through a combination of clinical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. In some cases, further testing may be needed to rule out other causes of symptoms or to determine the extent of the disease.

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