How do you know if you have crohn's disease?

Biopsy of the bowel: Symptoms of diarrhea, especially associated with bleeding or mucous, are consistent with inflammatory bowel disease such as crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. These complaints warrant investigation with a colonoscopy. This procedure involves a lighted scope inserted to look at the bowel. Suspicious areas are biopsied and sent to the pathologist to look at under the microscope.

See Doctor: Crohns is best diagnosed by doing a colonoscopy, looking for patchy inflammation/ulcerations in the intestines. Symptoms such as weight loss, frequent diarrhea (may contain blood), abdominal pain, & skin rashes also point to crohns. It also needs to be properly diagnosed. Ulcerative colitis may appear like crohns.

Colon biopsy: There are many clinical features to suggest crohns. However, diagnosis hinges upon specific features found in biopsy specimens obtained from the colon or small bowel during a colonoscopy. Biopsy specimens should be reviewed by an experienced pathologist.