Crohn's Disease

Our multidisciplinary team of specialists at Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health work together to assess complex gastrointestinal (GI) conditions with state-of-the-art technologies. 

Crohn’s disease differs from other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) because it can occur anywhere in the GI tract between the mouth and the anus. Other IBD conditions occur in the large intestine. This makes Crohn’s challenging to pinpoint and requires skilled medical professionals to diagnose.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Houston Methodist Hospital highest in Texas and the Gulf Coast for digestive disorders. We are also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 1 in Texas for the 13th year and 7th in the nation for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery.

Data from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) indicates Crohn’s disease impacts roughly 700,000 Americans. The average patient is 15 to 35 years old with an immune system that is more sensitive to bacteria, or compromised by genetic or lifestyles factors, such as smoking. 

Each time a toxin enters the digestive system, the immune system causes irritation as it works to fight it. Layers of scar tissue develop in response to the irritation, which leads to complications, including chronic inflammation. Once you have Crohn’s disease, you will have to manage it for the rest of your life. It is best to catch it early to reduce symptoms.

Driven by Patient Outcomes

We specialize in the care of patients with complex cases that were not resolved at other hospitals. We have surgeons, nurses, dietitians and social workers who work with you from examination and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up.

Some patients who fall outside the average age for Crohn’s disease may need special attention. Our multidisciplinary team will provide nutritional support, and our social workers will focus on the patient’s well-being as they mature with this condition.

Top-Rated Medical Center Nationwide

The Underwood Center provides access to world-class, advanced diagnostic tools and research via clinical trials. We will use the methods below, among others, to assess your Crohn’s disease indicators, give confirmation and offer a treatment regimen.

Noninvasive imaging techniques:

• Computerized tomography – (X-ray) scan of the abdomen
• Intestinal ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen

Minimally invasive diagnostic procedures:

• Capsule endoscopy – camera inside a pill-sized capsule
• Upper endoscopy – camera attached to a tube
• Colonoscopy- camera attached to a tube

Other Gastrointestinal Conditions We Treat

• Achalasia
• Appendicitis
• Barrett's Esophagus
• Celiac Disease
• Cirrhosis
• Colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Dysphagia
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Heartburn
• Hepatitis
• Hiatal Hernia
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Lactose Intolerance
• Liver Cancer
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach and Esophageal Cancer
• Ulcer
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Wilson Disease