More than one million people in the United States suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Cooper Gastroenterology has created a dedicated IBD center to manage these complex diseases.
At the Cooper IBD Center, our integrated team of highly trained specialists understands the challenges you encounter living with this condition and provides advanced treatments, education, and a full range of support services to help you manage the long-term aspects of the disease.
Cooper offers a wide variety of services and therapies for all stages of disease, including:
- Disease evaluation and education
- Dietary counseling
- Nutritional services
- Medication management
- Advanced imaging techniques
- Minimally invasive endoscopic and surgical interventions
Where some medical facilities combine IBD services with other digestive tract disorders, our IBD Center focuses solely on relieving IBD and improving your quality of life.
What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition that involves inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which runs from the mouth down to the rectum. IBD is the umbrella term for two chronic, conditions – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both conditions have similar symptoms but affect different parts of the GI tract.
The cause of IBD remains unknown, although the disease may be related to genetic factors that are triggered by environmental factors that causes part of the GI tract to become inflamed. Treatment for IBD typically involves the use of anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes surgery.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are often confused because they may have similar symptoms. However, the diseases affect different parts of the GI tract. Specifically, ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon while Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract.
Hospital Stay
If you have IBD and experience a flare-up of your disease, are having trouble managing your symptoms, or your symptoms worsen, you may need to be admitted to the hospital. Hospital stays for IBD-related problems may last a few days, although the length of the stay depends upon each person’s unique circumstances and how long it will take to get a flare-up under control.
Diagnosing IBD
Your doctor may recommend the following tests to evaluate your symptoms and diagnose IBD:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- Imaging tests like X-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging
- Endoscopic procedures like colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy to evaluate the GI tract
Cooper’s highly trained and experienced team of IBD specialists uses advanced technologies to thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and diagnose IBD.
Innovation and Research
Cooper’s IBD specialists have a track record of conducting state-of-the-art research and publishing peer-reviewed articles on IBD treatment and outcomes. We have established and are maintaining a large in-house registry of Cooper IBD patients to study the real-world efficacy of various biological treatments for our patients.
Why Choose Cooper for IBD Care
Cooper Gastroenterology's Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center offers several unique advantages:
- Comprehensive Approach to Disease Evaluation and Management: IBD can have an overwhelming impact on a patient’s quality of life. The goal of the Cooper IBD Center is to provide patients access to advanced diagnostic testing and treatment options such as specialized laboratory testing, state-of-the-art imaging, medication management, and minimally invasive endoscopic and surgical intervention.
- Multidisciplinary Team of Specialists: The Cooper IBD Center’s nationally recognized IBD doctors provide each patient access to a multi-disciplinary team of specialists that includes gastroenterologists, surgeons, rheumatologists, dermatologists, nutritionists, and psychologists.
- Personalized Plan of Care for Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Every patient coping with IBD is unique. Your disease management may include routine surveillance, biological therapies, and lifestyle modification. The gastroenterologists in the Cooper IBD Center develop an individualized plan of care for each patient. Specialty services are also available, such as a program to address the impact of IBD on fertility, pregnancy, and post-partum care.
- Patient-Centered Environment: Our physician experts provide the most advanced and comprehensive gastroenterology care in the region, offering the latest endoscopy and other non-surgical technologies. Cooper Gastroenterology provides patients with expert care in a welcoming environment designed for maximum comfort and patient satisfaction.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Cooper IBD Center is located in Mount Laurel at Cooper Gastroenterology, the largest outpatient GI center in South Jersey. Just minutes from Exit 4 of the NJ Turnpike and Exit 36 of I-295, and a short drive from Marlton, Voorhees, Moorestown, and Philadelphia, the IBD Center shares Cooper Gastroenterology's state-of-the-art procedure suites and examination, treatment, and recovery rooms.
Patient Resources
For an appointment with a Cooper IBD specialist, please call 800.8.COOPER (800.826.6737).