Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

If you have been diagnosed with an 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 to make an appointment.

Read the CPMC Magazine interview with Dr. Jeff Aron on the ABCs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Complete Resource for Inflammatory Bowel Disorders

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are by far the most common and 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 patients find the treatment option that best suits their 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 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 can Include:

• 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

IBD Testing and Treatment Options

Diagnostic Testing

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

Ulcerative Colitis

Treatment Options

Medical Treatment
Anti-inflammatory medications, in conjunction with diet and lifestyle modification, are the first treatments 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 invasively laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Crohn’s Disease

Treatment Options

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 all of these disorders, Crohn’s disease symptoms are profoundly influenced by diet and emotional stress.

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, or 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 invasively laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Celiac Disease

Treatment Options

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 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.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Treatment Options

Medical Treatment
Because IBS is triggered mainly by diet and stress, surgery is rarely an option. Nutritional counseling assists patients identify trigger foods, plan meals, and modify their diet to help keep IBS symptoms at rest. In order to help lower stress and identify situations that cause stress a psychiatric consultation may be helpful. Medications may also be prescribed to aid in symptom relief.

Nutritional Counseling

Through the Institute for Health & Healing (IHH) IBD patients have access to comprehensive nutritional counseling. Available by appointment, a certified nutritional counselor helps individuals learn practical and enjoyable ways of eating with IBD. 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

Even though inflammatory bowel disorders are physical and not psychological, receiving guidance and support from a board-certified psychiatrist can help individuals reduce stress by identifying and replacing unhealthy thought patterns. Many individuals with IBD 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 IBD symptoms. California Pacific's Mental Health Clinic offers a wide range of behavioral health services for persons of all ages providing affordable, comprehensive, 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.

Clinical Research

We are conducting clinical research through the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute (CPMCRI) for IBD. Our commitment to leading-edge research can afford patients access to research protocols and contribute to treatment and a disease cure. We are developing new and innovative approaches to celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis. Visit the CPMCRI Website for the most current list of our clinical trials. Visit the CPMCRI Website for the most current list of our clinical trials.