Contact number: 020 7806 4060
Private Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Crohn’s disease treatment focuses on controlling inflammation, managing symptoms and preventing complications associated with this long-term condition. Crohn’s disease is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where the immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract.
Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation is often patchy and can occur both superficially and deep within the bowel wall. Over time, this can lead to complications such as strictures (narrowing of the bowel), fistulas (abnormal connections between organs), and abscesses (collections of infection).
Crohn’s disease can develop at any age but often begins in the teens or early adulthood. Symptoms tend to occur in flares, followed by periods of remission.
At our specialist gastroenterology clinic, patients can access expert assessment, coeliac disease testing where appropriate to rule out similar conditions, and personalised care as part of a comprehensive approach to inflammatory bowel disease treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary depending on which part of the digestive tract is affected and how severe the inflammation is.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Urgency to open the bowels
- Waking at night due to bowel symptoms
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anaemia
Some patients may also experience symptoms outside the digestive system, including:
- Mouth ulcers
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain
- Eye inflammation
In more advanced cases, complications such as fistulas or abscesses around the anal area may develop.
Because symptoms can overlap with other digestive conditions, including coeliac disease, appropriate investigation such as coeliac disease testing and specialist assessment is often recommended.
Private Crohn’s Disease (IBD) Testing
Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective inflammatory bowel disease treatment. Testing for Crohn’s disease usually begins with:
- Blood tests to check for inflammation and anaemia
- Stool tests, including faecal calprotectin, to detect bowel inflammation
If Crohn’s disease is suspected, further investigations may include:
- Colonoscopy with biopsies to examine the bowel lining
- MRI or CT enterography to assess inflammation and complications in the small bowel
- Capsule endoscopy to visualise areas not easily reached by standard endoscopy
These tests help confirm the diagnosis, determine the extent of disease and guide treatment decisions.
In some cases, additional investigations such as coeliac disease testing may be performed to exclude other causes of symptoms before confirming Crohn’s disease. Our clinic offers private Crohn’s disease testing, providing fast access to specialist consultations and advanced diagnostic procedures.
Private Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s
There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, but inflammatory bowel disease treatment can be highly effective in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.
Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include:
Immunomodulator medications
These treatments reduce the activity of the immune system to control inflammation. They may be given as tablets or injections.
Biologic therapies
For moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, advanced therapies target specific parts of the immune response to reduce inflammation and maintain remission.
Nutritional and dietary support
Diet can play an important role in managing symptoms. Specialist dietitians can help identify triggers and ensure adequate nutrition.
Monitoring and long-term care
Regular follow-up is important to monitor disease activity, adjust treatment and prevent complications.
At our private gastroenterology clinic, patients benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to inflammatory bowel disease treatment, including access to advanced diagnostics, specialist consultants and personalised care plans.
Consultants who treat Crohn’s Disease
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crohn’s Disease Treatment
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), a well-connected and vibrant area of North West London, known for landmarks such as Regent’s Park and Abbey Road Studios. We are easily accessible from neighbouring areas, including Hampstead (NW3) and Kilburn (NW6):
- By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital. For patients travelling from Hampstead (NW3), Finchley Road station (Jubilee Line) offers a convenient route, while Kilburn (NW6) is similarly well served by the same line.
- By Bus:
Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
- By Car: If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, use major roads like Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road for a direct approach.
Our hospital’s location in St John’s Wood ensures easy access for patients across London, particularly from the NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes
Common symptoms include persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Some people may also experience blood in the stool, anaemia, or urgency to open the bowels. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of inflammation in the digestive tract.
Crohn’s disease is diagnosed using blood tests, stool tests and imaging. A colonoscopy with biopsies is usually required to confirm inflammation in the bowel. Scans such as MRI or CT enterography may also be used to assess the extent of disease and detect complications.
There is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease, but it can be effectively managed. With the right inflammatory bowel disease treatment, many people achieve long-term symptom control and improved quality of life through medication, monitoring and lifestyle support.
Medically reviewed by Mr Massimo Varcada - MBBS MD FRCS FEBS (Coloproctology) on 11/04/2024