Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), affect approximately one million Americans. The MedStar Georgetown University Hospital IBD Center is a regional and national referral center for patients with IBD.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Specialized Care in Washington, D.C.
Our IBD program offers our patients a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach by involving gastroenterologists and surgeons who specialize in managing and treating IBD patients. Our team also consists of physicians from other departments, including:
- Radiology
- Interventional radiology
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Medicine
Every member of our team has a special interest in IBD and extensive experience treating IBD patients. We understand that each patient’s situation is unique, and our IBD center offers second opinions on how to manage complex and challenging situations.
The IBD gastroenterologists, surgeons, radiologists and pathologists come together at our IBD multidisciplinary rounds to discuss and review the details of each patient’s case and devise the best plan of care.
IBD Treatment: The MedStar Georgetown Approach
At MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, we understand that IBD can affect people at any stage of life, disrupting their personal, professional and social experiences. We work together with our IBD patients to provide them with the best medical and surgical care. Our goals are to:
- Control the disease progression and symptoms
- Prevent disease complications
- Minimize medication side effects
- Achieve the best quality of life
IBD and Women’s Health
IBD largely affects young people, and women make up 50 percent of all IBD cases. Subsequently, IBD can affect different aspects of a woman’s health at different stages of her life and of her disease. At our IBD center, we strive to educate our female IBD patients about how the disease can affect:
- Contraceptive method choice
- Fertility
- Cervical health
- Pregnancy and delivery
- Bone health
We provide strategies on how to manage the disease during the pregnancy and postpartum period and how to avoid negative pregnancy outcomes and medication side effects. The gastroenterology team works closely with our high-risk obstetrician and the patient’s primary obstetrician to ensure the best pregnancy outcome. We also work closely with our women’s health center and division of endocrinology to assess and treat our patients for osteoporosis and osteopenia. (Bone loss may occur because of the disease or the medications used to control the disease).
IBD Health Maintenance
In addition to caring for your disease, our goal is to prevent complications to your overall health from the disease and the medications you are using. We ensure you get appropriate vaccinations and screening for different conditions.
IBD Support Group
Our IBD nurse practitioner and IBD coordinator run the only IBD support group in the Washington, D.C., area. The support group meets every first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in our GI conference room. This forum provides an opportunity for patients, their family, caretakers and friends to talk about their experience living with the disease. We often have guest speakers to talk about a specific topic pertinent to the health of IBD patients. All are welcome.
Please call Gina at 202-444-3557 to register for the support group.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
The department of pediatrics at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital includes a gastroenterology division that cares for children and adolescents with IBD. We ensure that the transition from pediatric care to adult care is progressive and smooth, keeping your records and your care within the same institution.
