Crohn’s disease rarely follows a straight line. Symptoms can settle for months, then return without much warning, and the plan that worked last year may need adjusting this year. That is why the relationship with your gastroenterologist matters as much as any single medication. For patients in Loveland and the surrounding area, Centers for Gastroenterology provides that ongoing care from our Loveland office on Rocky Mountain Avenue.

Our Loveland physicians, Dr. Sean Caufield, Dr. Bryan Golubski, Dr. Daniel Langer, Dr. Shirish Poudyal and Dr. Benjamin Warren, are board certified in Internal Medicine with additional board certification in Gastroenterology. You can read more about the condition itself on our Crohn’s disease overview.

How Crohn’s Differs From Everyday Gut Trouble

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes persistent inflammation in the digestive tract. It most often starts in the small intestine, but it can affect other areas as well. No single cause has been identified, though it is more common in people with a family history of the disease and in people with unusual immune responses.

Symptoms can range from mild to debilitating, and they may come and go. Common signs include:

• Diarrhea or blood during bowel movements
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Fatigue and fever
• Unexpected weight loss
• Mouth sores, or pain and drainage near the anus
• Inflammation outside the gut, including the eyes, joints or liver
• Anemia, and delayed growth in children

Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, a specialist evaluation is the most reliable way to know what is going on.

Getting to a Clear Diagnosis

Diagnosis usually combines your history and lab work with a direct look at the digestive tract. A colonoscopy lets your physician see the lining of the colon and the end of the small intestine and take small tissue samples. An upper endoscopy may be added if symptoms point higher in the digestive tract, and capsule endoscopy can help view parts of the small intestine that a scope cannot easily reach. Imaging may also be ordered depending on your symptoms.

For Loveland patients, endoscopic procedures are commonly scheduled at Skyline Endoscopy Center in Loveland, with hospital-based procedures available at McKee Medical Center and the Medical Center of the Rockies.

Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease yet, but treatment can greatly reduce symptoms and help many patients reach remission. Medication is the most common approach, and options include steroids, medications that target the immune system, and anti-inflammatory agents. Dietary changes may be recommended for some patients, and surgery can address blockages, remove damaged sections of bowel or close fistulas when needed.

For moderate to severe disease, biologic medications given by infusion or injection are often part of the plan. Centers for Gastroenterology has offered infusions for Crohn’s and colitis patients for almost 15 years. Medications administered through the practice include Infliximab, Entyvio, Stelara, Skyrizi, Simponi Aria and Cimzia, with dosing and timing set by your gastroenterologist. Our infusion services page explains how each one is given.

Which approach fits depends on where the disease is active, how severe it is and how you have responded to past treatment. Responses vary from patient to patient, so plans are reviewed and adjusted over time.

Staying in Remission Is an Ongoing Partnership

Reaching remission is a milestone, not a finish line. Regular follow-up visits allow your physician to track inflammation, watch for complications such as narrowing of the bowel, and check that medications are still working as intended. People with long-standing inflammation of the colon may also need surveillance colonoscopies at intervals their gastroenterologist recommends.

Living with a chronic condition is easier with support. Our list of support groups and patient resources includes organizations that offer education and community for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

When a Flare Starts Between Visits

Even well-managed Crohn’s disease can flare. Common triggers include missed doses, infections, some over-the-counter pain relievers and periods of stress, though flares sometimes happen with no obvious cause. Contact your care team if you notice symptoms returning or getting worse, such as more frequent diarrhea, new abdominal pain, blood in the stool or a fever.

Some symptoms need urgent attention rather than a scheduled visit. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, signs of dehydration or a high fever can point to a complication such as a blockage or abscess and should be evaluated right away.

Keeping a simple log of your symptoms, medications and meals between appointments gives your physician a clearer picture and makes it easier to spot patterns.

What You Eat and How You Feel

There is no single diet that controls Crohn’s disease, but food choices can make symptoms easier or harder to manage. During a flare, some patients do better with smaller meals and lower-fiber foods, while others find specific triggers such as dairy, spicy dishes or high-fat meals. Inflammation in the small intestine can also interfere with how the body absorbs nutrients, so iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels are often checked.

Your gastroenterologist can help you sort out which changes are worth making and whether a referral to a dietitian makes sense. If iron levels are low and supplements have not helped, iron infusions are another option the practice offers.

What Loveland Patients Ask Us

How is Crohn’s disease different from ulcerative colitis?

Both are inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and often involves deeper layers of the bowel wall, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum. Our ulcerative colitis page covers that condition in more detail.

Will I need treatment for the rest of my life?

Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition, so most people stay under a gastroenterologist’s care indefinitely. The intensity of treatment often changes over time, with some patients needing fewer changes once their disease is well controlled.

Do I need a referral to be seen?

That depends on your insurance. If your plan requires a referral, it needs to come from your primary care provider before your appointment. Our insurance and billing page explains referrals, prior authorizations and what to bring to your visit.

Start a Crohn’s Care Plan in Loveland

Whether you are newly diagnosed, dealing with a flare or looking for a new gastroenterologist to manage long-standing Crohn’s disease, our Loveland team is ready to help. Call our Loveland office to set up a consultation, or request an appointment online.