Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These are long-term conditions in which the immune system causes ongoing inflammation of the digestive tract. Symptoms often include persistent diarrhoea, blood or mucus in stools, abdominal pain, tiredness and weight loss, and they may come and go in flares.

Diagnosis combines blood and stool tests with colonoscopy in Mumbai and biopsies, along with imaging when the small bowel needs to be examined. Infections and irritable bowel syndrome can look similar, so accurate diagnosis matters before long-term treatment begins.

Treatment aims to control inflammation, ease symptoms and prevent complications. Depending on the type and severity of disease, it may include anti-inflammatory medicines, immune-modulating drugs or biological therapies. Nutritional support is often part of the plan. Surgery is considered only when medicines are not enough or complications develop.
IBD is managed over many years, so regular review and monitoring of medicine effects are essential.

Inflammatory bowel disease services at Apex include:

• Crohn's Disease Management: Diagnosis, medical treatment and monitoring of Crohn's disease, which can affect any part of the digestive tract, with attention to complications such as strictures.
• Ulcerative Colitis Management: Assessment and long-term control of inflammation in the colon and rectum, with treatment adjusted according to how extensive the disease is and how often flares occur.
• Disease Monitoring: Follow-up with blood tests, stool tests and periodic colonoscopy to check response to treatment, detect relapse early and screen for long-term bowel changes.
• Nutritional Support: Dietary guidance for patients with active or long-standing IBD, including help with weight loss, anaemia and vitamin deficiencies that can develop over time.