Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Treatment

Because each person is different and no single treatment is universally effective, Mayo doctors design regimens to meet each person's needs. Those needs often change over time, and the treatment approach is likely to change, too.

At Mayo Clinic, you are involved in all treatment decisions. Your doctor will discuss any concerns that you may have, sometimes consulting with several specialists, so that you can make the most informed decision possible. You can usually see all the specialists you need in the same building, often during a single visit.

Current treatment options for IBD at Mayo Clinic include dietary changes, medications and surgery. Although medications relieve symptoms for many people, surgical intervention is sometimes necessary. In such cases, Mayo surgeons use bowel-sparing and laparoscopic techniques that reduce the risk of complications, shorten recovery time and help preserve normal bowel function.

For more detailed information, see specific types of IBD:

• Crohn's disease
• Microscopic colitis
• Pouchitis
• Ulcerative colitis