Various kinds of tests are used to diagnose ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the main two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients need to make some preparations for the day of the test. Diagnosis is a vital part of the treatment to determine what type of disease it is (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), and also to ascertain the severity of the disease and the complications it may cause.

Even though the doctor will take care of everything during the test, you may still ask the following questions to prepare yourself for the day of the test:

• How uncomfortable will I be during the test?
• Are there any dangers associated with the test?
• What is expected of me during the test?
• What kind of information will the test provide?
• When can I expect the results?

Some common tests used to diagnose Crohn’s disease are as follows:

X-rays

• General X-rays
  These X-rays are a quick way of getting an image of the abdomen to see the narrowing of intestines or ascertain any intestinal blockage. Also, scars and inflammation in the intestines are clearly visible on X-rays. These X-rays tests are relatively inexpensive.
• Contrast X-rays
  This test is done to track the movement of the barium through the intestines. Barium is a chalky, thick liquid. This type of X-ray differs for small and large intestines. When done for small intestines, one will be asked to drink barium when they arrive for the test. When done for the large intestines, barium will be inserted inside the rectum. It is also known as a barium enema.

Before getting these X-rays done for diagnosing Crohn’s disease, make sure to do the following things:

• One may be required to follow a bowel cleansing routine the day before they arrive for the test.
• Drink plenty of fluids after the test as barium is involved in contrast X-rays, which can cause constipation.
• If one has had a recent bowel obstruction or a hole in the intestines, they should not opt for the barium-based tests.

Colonoscopy
A thin, flexible tube is inserted inside the rectum. This thin tube has a camera attached at the end which captures the image of the insides and shows if there is any inflammation in the bowel.

Biopsy
In this test, small samples of the digestive tissue are collected for testing. For example, tiny pieces of bowel are removed during a colonoscopy which are then sent off to a lab for further tests.

CT scan or computerized tomography
Also known as CAT scans, the scans take simultaneous X-rays from different angles. It is done to create a cross-sectional image of the area being tested. In the case of Crohn’s disease, these are done to see if there are any intestinal blockages. CT scan also makes it possible to create a distinction between Crohn’s disease and any other similar symptom or condition such as appendicitis or ulcerative colitis.

Prior to the scan, a patient may have to do the following things:

• Get a blood test done to check the kidney’s functionality.
• Drink an oral contrast liquid.