Ren yu Zhang, MD

Crohn's Disease Specialist

Board-Certified Colorectal Surgeon located in Las Vegas, NV

Crohn's Disease services offered in Las Vegas, NV

As many as 700,000 people in the United States have Crohn’s disease and need help managing their symptoms. At the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, you can schedule diagnostic testing services to confirm a Crohn’s disease diagnosis. Dr. Zhang also creates treatment plans to manage abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and other symptoms of Crohn’s. Call the office in Las Vegas, Nevada, today to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online. 

Crohn's Disease Q & A

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in your digestive tract. This condition can lead to severe pain and other debilitating symptoms.

The underlying cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t well understood, but your immune system may play a role. Abnormal immune responses may cause your body to attack otherwise healthy cells in your digestive tract.

Other risk factors for Crohn’s disease include:

  • Age
  • Smoking history
  • Family history
  • Use of ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications

If you don’t manage Crohn’s disease, you can develop more serious complications, including bowel obstruction, ulcers, anal abscesses (infections), and fistulas. You may also be at increased risk for colon cancer, vitamin deficiencies, and malnutrition.

When should I seek help for Crohn’s disease?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, if you’re experiencing symptoms of Crohn’s disease, such as:

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramping and pain
  • Blood in the stool
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting

Dr. Zhang can determine if your symptoms relate to Crohn’s disease by performing a physical exam, blood tests, and stool tests. He may also request imaging tests or a colonoscopy to evaluate the health of your intestinal tract.

How is Crohn’s disease treated?

While there’s as yet no cure for Crohn’s disease, Dr. Zhang customizes a treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and lower your risk for intestinal inflammation and other complications.

Your treatment plan depends on your symptoms and their severity. Dr. Zhang may use one or more therapies like:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Immune system suppressants
  • Biologics
  • Antibiotics

You may also benefit from nutritional counseling to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs to function optimally.

If conservative treatments aren’t enough to improve your Crohn’s disease symptoms, you may be a candidate for surgery. Surgery won’t cure the disease, but Dr. Zhang can remove diseased parts of your digestive tract. 

He can also treat anal abscesses and fistulas that develop as a result of Crohn’s disease.

To schedule diagnostic testing for symptoms of Crohn’s disease, call the office of Ren Yu Zhang, MD, today or book an appointment online.