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Crohn's Colitis
At GastroDoxs in Houston, Dr. Nghia Nguyen specializes in Crohn's colitis management, offering personalized treatment plans, advanced diagnostics, and compassionate support. With board certification and extensive IBD expertise, he empowers patients to overcome symptoms, maintain remission, improve quality of life.
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Genetics - a family history of inflammatory bowel disease
Immune system dysfunction - body attacking healthy gut tissue
Environmental triggers - smoking, certain medications, dietary factors
Age - most diagnoses occur between 15 and 35 years
Urban living - higher exposure to risk factors in city environments
Signs and Symptoms
Persistent diarrhea (often urgent or during the night)
Abdominal cramps, frequently in the lower right quadrant
Unexplained weight loss and low energy
Rectal bleeding or mucus in the stool
Fever during active flares
How Dr. Nghia Nguyen Diagnoses Crohn's Colitis Presenting with?
Dr. Nguyen uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Physical Exam
He takes a thorough history of your GI symptoms—focusing on epigastric pain, bowel habits, weight changes—and reviews any family history of IBD.
Laboratory Tests
Blood work (CBC, CRP, ESR) checks for systemic inflammation, anemia, and nutritional deficiencies.
Stool Analysis
Fecal calprotectin to quantify intestinal inflammation.
Stool cultures and C. difficile toxin assays to rule out infectious causes of diarrhea.
Endoscopic Evaluation
Colonoscopy with targeted biopsies allows direct visualization of mucosal lesions and confirms Crohn's colitis versus other colitides.
Cross-Sectional Imaging
CT enterography or MR enterography to assess the extent and depth of bowel involvement and identify strictures or fistulas.
Abdominal ultrasound to localize epigastric tenderness and exclude gallbladder or pancreatic pathology.
Capsule Endoscopy (if needed)
Provides detailed images of the small intestine when disease beyond the colon is suspected.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for Crohn's colitis.
1. Lifestyle and Diet Modifications
Low-residue diet plans to minimize bowel irritation during flare-ups
Small, frequent meals tailored to your tolerance and nutritional needs
Targeted supplements for iron, vitamin D, and B12 deficiencies
Stress-reduction strategies such as yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises
2. Medications
5-ASA agents to control mild to moderate inflammation
Short-course steroids for rapid relief of acute flares
Immunomodulators to regulate an overactive immune response
Biologic therapies for moderate to severe Crohn's colitis
3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures
Balloon dilation to open strictured segments of the colon
Capsule endoscopy for detailed imaging of the small intestine
Referral for surgical evaluation when strictures, fistulas, or complications require intervention
Dr. Nghia Nguyen, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing advanced digestive care in the Greater Houston area. He earned his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Nguyen specializes in treating conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and liver disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crohn's colitis?
Crohn's colitis is a form of Crohn's disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and sores in the colon, affecting deeper layers of the gut.
How is it different from ulcerative colitis?
Crohn's colitis can involve any layer of the bowel wall and may appear in patches, whereas ulcerative colitis affects only the surface lining of the colon in a continuous pattern.
What are common signs of Crohn's colitis?
Frequent or urgent diarrhea, abdominal cramps (often in the lower right side), weight loss, low energy, and sometimes rectal bleeding or mucus in the stool.
Can diet alone help manage Crohn's colitis?
Dietary changes can reduce flares and improve nutrition, but they usually need to be combined with medications and other therapies for optimal control.
How quickly will I feel better after starting treatment?
Many patients notice symptom relief within a few weeks of beginning a customized treatment plan that includes diet, lifestyle changes, and medications.
Are biologic drugs safe for Crohn's colitis?
Yes. Biologics are FDA-approved and closely monitored. Dr. Nguyen will explain the benefits, potential risks, and safety protocols before starting therapy.
Will I need surgery for Crohn's colitis?
Not always. Surgery is reserved for complications like strictures, fistulas, or abscesses that do not respond to medical and endoscopic treatments.
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