Diagnosis

Your doctor will need to give you a thorough physical examination as well as some tests in order to diagnose Crohn’s disease.

Endoscopic techniques – sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy
During this procedure, a long, flexible tube with a light at the end, is inserted into your anus (back passage) so that the doctor can look for changes in the colon and rectum.

A sigmoidoscopy is used to observe the rectum and the left colon and can be carried out without sedation. These are areas normally affected by ulcerative colitis, another inflammatory disease of the digestive system, and a condition which can be confused with Crohn’s disease A colonoscopy is used to observe the entire colon wall. You will need sedation when you are undergoing this procedure. Samples of tissue (biopsy) may be taken during these procedures in order to look at the cells under a microscope.

Barium x-ray

• Following a drink of barium (a chalky liquid), the doctor can follow the passage of the barium down the throat into the stomach x-ray.
  
  
• The images can show inflammation (swelling and irritation), ulcers and any narrowing of the passageway.

CT scan
This is a technique in which an image of your digestive system is made, which can help in the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. You do not need to be sedated during a scan.