Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment in Pasadena, CA
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent inflammation of the digestive tract. The two primary forms are Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, and ulcerative colitis, which primarily affects the colon and rectum. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue can significantly impact daily life.
While there is no cure for IBD, effective treatment can reduce inflammation, manage flare-ups, and improve long-term digestive health.
At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Kimberley Shine offers an integrative and functional medicine approach to IBD treatment. She addresses both the symptoms and the underlying factors that contribute to digestive inflammation. By combining medical therapies, nutritional guidance, and gut health support, she helps patients achieve better symptom control and enhanced quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of IBD is not fully known, several factors contribute to its development:
- Immune System Dysfunction: An overactive immune response attacks the digestive tract.
- Genetics: A family history of IBD increases risk.
- Gut Microbiome Imbalances: Disruptions in healthy bacteria may worsen inflammation.
- Environmental Factors: Smoking, diet, stress, and infections can trigger flare-ups.
- Age and Ethnicity: IBD often develops before age 30 but can occur at any stage of life.
Understanding these influences allows for targeted and personalized treatment strategies.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common signs include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Chronic diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- Weight loss or malnutrition
- Fatigue and low energy
- Fever during flare-ups
- Reduced appetite
- Joint pain, rashes, or eye inflammation (extra-intestinal symptoms)
Because IBD symptoms overlap with other digestive conditions, professional evaluation is critical for an accurate diagnosis.
How IBD Is Diagnosed
At Shine Health and Wellness, diagnosis involves a detailed process to determine the type and severity of IBD. Evaluation may include:
- Medical History and Exam: Reviewing symptoms, diet, lifestyle, and family history.
- Laboratory Testing: Checking for anemia, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Stool Tests: Identifying blood, infections, or markers of inflammation.
- Imaging Studies: Colonoscopy, endoscopy, or MRI to assess digestive tract inflammation.
- Functional Medicine Testing: Exploring microbiome health, food sensitivities, and systemic inflammation.
This comprehensive approach ensures precise diagnosis and an individualized treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD requires ongoing care tailored to each patient. At Shine Health and Wellness, treatment may include:
- Medication Management: Coordinating with specialists for anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressants, or biologic therapies.
- Nutritional Counseling: Developing anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich diets to support healing and reduce flare-ups.
- Gut Health Support: Restoring microbiome balance with probiotics, diet changes, and functional medicine strategies.
- Lifestyle Guidance: Stress reduction, exercise, and sleep optimization to improve resilience.
- Supplement Support: Targeted vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and iron, to correct deficiencies.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to track symptoms, prevent complications, and adjust treatment as needed.
By combining conventional and integrative care, Shine Health and Wellness helps patients manage flare-ups and protect long-term digestive function.
The Role of Gut Health in IBD
Gut health is central to managing IBD. An imbalanced microbiome can fuel inflammation and contribute to flare-ups. At Shine Health and Wellness, treatment includes strategies to restore gut health, such as probiotics, functional testing, and dietary modifications. Supporting the digestive system helps reduce inflammation, improve nutrient absorption, and promote long-term stability.
Why Choose Shine Health and Wellness?
Kimberley Shine, MD, combines more than a decade of experience with a commitment to patient-focused care. She believes in building strong relationships with patients, taking time to listen, educate, and collaborate on treatment plans. With training in integrative and functional medicine, Dr. Shine ensures care addresses both immediate symptoms and root causes.
Patients also benefit from Shine Health and Wellness’s supportive care team, including experienced nurses, a lifestyle coach, and a licensed acupuncturist. This collaborative approach provides comprehensive support for patients managing IBD, empowering them to live healthier, more balanced lives.
Take Control of Your Digestive Health
IBD can be a challenging condition, but with expert care, it is possible to manage symptoms and protect your digestive health. At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Kimberley Shine and her team provide personalized treatment plans to reduce flare-ups, restore gut balance, and improve quality of life. Call 626-317-0207 today to schedule a consultation.