Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CED)

In our specialist consultation hours for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, we primarily advise and care for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Chron’s disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that usually progresses in stages. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain and severe diarrhoea.

The symptoms are similar to those of infectious diseases or malignant bowel diseases such as bowel cancer. Differential diagnosis therefore requires a high level of expertise. Our highly qualified specialists are specialised in the diagnosis and treatment of Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine (colon) in which ulcers can form in the bowel mucous lining. Typical symptoms are abdominal pain and severe diarrhoea, which may be bloody. Ulcerative colitis also usually progresses in stages, so the bowel lining becomes inflamed and then recovers. Treatment starts with medication. In severe cases, the entire colon may need to be removed by surgery.

Diagnosis

We offer all state-of-the-art techniques and examination methods to diagnose chronic inflammatory bowel diseases:

• Bowel sonography (ultrasound)
• Colonoscopy (endoscopic examination of the large intestine) with the possibility of dilating strictures
• Gastroscopy (gastrointestinal endoscopy)
• Single-balloon endoscopy (examination of the small intestine)
• Capsule endoscopy (examination of the small intestine using a video capsule)
• MRI examinations (magnetic resonance imaging) in collaboration with the institute for X-ray diagnostics
• Proctological examinations including endosonography (examination of the rectum using ultrasound) in collaboration with the Clinic and Polyclinic for Surgery

Therapy

We treat our patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease individually using the latest treatment methods. Which therapy is the right one depends on

• the individual symptoms
• the severity of the inflammation
• the spread of the disease

 We will be happy to advise you on possible treatment strategies and arrange the appropriate examinations.

Participation in drug studies

All currently available drugs, including biologics, are used in our clinic. Treatment is always tailored to the individual patient's disease. Patients also have the opportunity to take part in drug studies. The studies use the latest drugs, which are tested under close supervision in several centres in Germany and Europe.

Further information can be found on the web pages of our Studies Centre