Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and do a physical exam. Tests may include:

• Upper GI endoscopy -a thin, lighted tube inserted down the throat to examine the upper part of the intestines
• Colonoscopy -a thin, lighted tube inserted through the rectum and into the colon to examine the lining of the colon
• Barium enema -injection of fluid into the rectum that makes your colon show up on an x-ray so the doctor can see abnormal spots in your colon
• X-ray -a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
• Capsule endoscopy -a wireless pill-sized camera that you swallow; the camera takes pictures of the small intestine as it passes through your intestines
• Blood tests
• Stool culture

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