When you have Crohn's disease, your immune system attacks your digestive tract. Doctors at Rush can help you manage this type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) so you can control your flare-ups and spend more time in remission.
Signs You Should Get Help for Crohn's Disease
IBD experts at Rush can help you if you have these common signs of Crohn's disease:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bloating
- Anal fistulas (an abnormal connection that allows the contents of your intestines to leak)
Care for Crohn's Disease at Rush
If you have Crohn's disease, you know how much flare-ups can disrupt your life. At Rush, we take time to understand your particular goals so we can offer the care and support you need.
Our IBD team includes the following experts:
- A gastroenterologist who can diagnose your condition and offer the latest treatments, including proven biologics that help your immune system fight Crohn's disease as well as investigational therapies that aren't widely available
- A dietitian who can help you find a diet to reduce flare-ups and ensure you get the nutrition you need
- A psychologist who helps you cope with the challenges of living with Crohn's disease
- A specialized IBD pharmacist to manage your biologics and other medication
If your Crohn's causes inflammation outside of your digestive system, our GI team can work with other specialists at Rush to help you control your joint pain, skin rashes and other problems that affect your quality of life.
If you need surgery for complications of Crohn's disease, such as fistula, or to remove part of your colon (colectomy), our surgeons offer minimally invasive options to reduce pain and scarring, and help you recover faster.
And when you have colon surgery at Rush University Medical Center, you also benefit from an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. In this program, your surgeon guides you in specific steps you can take before and after your surgery to reduce your need for opioid medications and help you return home safely.
Need a second opinion on your IBD? Our team can provide the education and support you need to understand your IBD treatment options. Then you can make the best decisions about your care and take charge of your symptoms.
Rush Excellence in Crohn's Disease Care
- Nationally recognized GI expertise: When you come to Rush, you gain peace of mind from knowing that your team includes some of the country's leading IBD experts. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center as one of the country's best hospitals for gastroenterology and GI surgery.
- Doctor appointments often within one week: We offer same-day appointments with several types of specialists so you can get the care you need as quickly as possible. This includes virtual and in-person appointments so you don't have to worry about traveling far with IBD. And at Rush University Medical Center, you also can get infusions of biologics (Entyvio, Inflectra, Remicade and Stelara) on the same day you see your doctor. These drugs can help keep your Crohn's under control so you can avoid hospitalizations and maintain your regular routine with fewer symptoms.
- Investigational treatments: Many of our doctors are also researchers studying the latest treatments for Crohn's. That means you often have access to therapies that aren't available elsewhere through clinical trials.
- Expert fistula repair: Our colon and rectal surgeons are skilled at treating the most challenging types of anal fistulas and abscesses and put their experience to work for you. We offer the latest types of sphincter-sparing surgery, such as the LIFT (ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract) procedure, which helps preserve your ability to control your bowels. Our team has also pioneered minimally invasive and robotic techniques to treat fistulas, so you can recover from surgery more quickly and with less pain than traditional surgery. We also offer laser treatment to close and heal your fistula while preserving your anal sphincter — an option that is not widely available.
- Support to help you cope with IBD: We understand the challenges of living with Crohn's. That's why we can connect you with psychologists who specialize in treating patients with IBD. If you have an ostomy (an opening made by a surgeon that allows stool to leave your body) as part of your Crohn's treatment, you can join a special support group to help you manage life with an ostomy.