If you have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD), you are not alone. More than three million Americans are identified every year with some form of IBD.

Call 877-600-4IBD (4423) or 1-888-637-2762 for more information or referral to one of our physician experts. Email us at cpmcibdcenter@sutterhealth.org.

Complete Resource for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Relief for Chronic Gastrointestinal Conditions

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are by far the best recognized forms of IBD. However, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has been estimated to affect 40 million Americans, and celiac disease, estimated to affect three million Americans are more common. These and peptic ulcers, as well as several lesser known colitis conditions are all caused by an activated immune system that results from an intolerance to the intestinal environment .

Finding the right care for these disorders can be difficult and time consuming. However, California Pacific Medical Center has integrated the finest clinical care, advanced surgical techniques, nutrition, alternative and complementary medicine, psychiatry, interventional endoscopy, neurogastroenterology and motility, and access to leading-edge research for children and adults into one program, the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders.

California Pacific’s team of medical and surgical experts is available to help you find the treatment option that best suits your IBD condition. Our goal is to prevent and alleviate IBD symptoms through nutritional counseling, lifestyle modifications, medications, or surgical interventions to enhance the quality of your daily life.

As a research facility, we are actively involved in the development of new treatments for IBD. This allows our patients the unique opportunity to contribute to the cure of these conditions and take advantage of new treatment options as soon as they become available.

IBD Symptoms

- Loose, watery or frequent bowel movements
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Fever
- Rectal bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Skin ulcer(s) or irritations on legs or arms
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Weight loss

IBS and Celiac Symptoms

- Change in bowel habit
- Abdominal discomfort
- Fatigue
- Autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Learning disorders
- Unexplained headache and other neurological disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Anemia
- Infertility
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis

IBD Testing and Treatment Options

Diagnostic Testing

After a thorough physical exam, a series of tests may be required for an accurate diagnosis. These may include blood tests, imaging studies, endoscopy and/or colonoscopy. Treatment options vary depending on the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis

Medical Treatment
Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, in conjunction with diet and lifestyle modification, is the first treatment usually explored, as certain foods and emotional stress can cause inflammation. In more severe cases steroids or immune modulators or biologic agents may be needed.

Surgical Treatments
In severe cases with medical therapy failure, cancer development, or colon changes, such as toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, surgical therapy may be required. Most patients require a proctocolectomy. In many cases permanent stoma can be avoided and for many patients the procedure can be performed utilizing minimally-invasive laparoscopic-surgical techniques.

Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease

Medical Treatment
Medications to control inflammation and relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding aid in symptom relief. Nutritional supplements, probiotics, and vitamins may help to reduce inflammation, as well as restore nutrients lost due to poor appetite, reduced absorption, and diarrhea. As in ulcerative colitis, anti-inflammatory and immune modulator medications, as well as biologic agents are employed.

Surgical Treatments
Currently, there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but medical and surgical intervention may produce long-term symptom relief. Therefore, surgery is reserved for patients who have failed to adequately respond to medical therapy and have severe disease, such as Crohn’s fistulas, anal/rectal Crohn’s and severe recurrent Crohn’s in the small and large bowel. Small bowel resection, colonic resection, stricturoplasty, or placement of stents may be required. In many patients, the procedure can be performed utilizing minimally-invasive laparoscopic-surgical techniques.

Treatment Options for Celiac Disease

Medical Treatment
Celiac disease is an allergy to gluten. Therefore, a gluten-free diet will usually alleviate most symptoms. Since a gluten-free diet must be strictly followed it is essential that patients completely understand the diet modifications. A nutritional consultation helps patients develop a healthy diet plan, including identifying gluten-free food substitutes and provides resources for interpreting food labels and dining out. Celiac does not require surgical intervention.

Treatment Options for IBS

Medical Treatment
Because IBS is triggered mainly by diet and stress that produce subtle but real changes in the way the gut senses its environment, our approach is to reduce inflammation by utilizing nutritional counseling to help patients identify trigger foods, plan meals and modify diet to control symptoms. In order to help lower stress and identify situations that cause stress psychiatric consultation and alternative medicine techniques may be helpful. Medications may also be prescribed to aid in symptom relief.

Nutritional Counseling

Through the Institute for Health & Healing (IHH) IBS patients have access to comprehensive nutritional counseling. Available by appointment, a certified nutritional counselor helps individuals learn practical and enjoyable ways of eating with IBS. Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis testing (BIA), as well as a detailed lifestyle questionnaire, the nutritionist is able to identify healthy food choices, nutritional supplements, and appropriate herbs.

Psychiatry Support

IBS and IBD are prime examples of altered mind-gut physiology. Receiving guidance and support from a board-certified psychiatrist can help individuals reduce stress by identifying and replacing unhealthy thought patterns. Many individuals with inflammatory bowel disorders experience disease induced anxiety and feel out of control. Using relaxation techniques, anger management skills, and deep breathing exercises, taught by a trained expert, can be effective in reducing the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms. California Pacific offers a wide range of behavioral health services. The Mental Health Clinic is available for persons of all ages offering affordable, comprehsensive, and easily accessible behavioral health care.

Pediatric Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Treating children from infants to 18 year of age, the pediatric team works closely with referring physicians to develop individualized treatment plans. Using a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, the Pediatric IBD Center encourages family-centered care sharing complete information with patients and their families preparing them to participate in treatment decision making.

Basic Science and Clinical Research

Jeffrey Aron, M.D. is leading basic science research and clinical research through the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (CPMCRI) to alleviate the symptoms of patients with these disorders. He collaborates with basic scientists concerning IBD and IBS, leading clinical trials and databases. We are actively involved in the development of new molecules that are effective in preventing and treating celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. We are in the forefront in the search for new, safe, and effective treatments for IBS. Our commitment to leading-edge research can afford patients access to research protocols and contribute to treatment and disease cure. We are developing new and innovative approaches to celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. Visit the CPMCRI Web site for the most current list of our clinical trials.