The Oaks Hospital · Colchester, Essex
Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Assessment in Colchester
Dr Thines Karunakaran provides prompt private assessment of symptoms that may indicate inflammatory bowel disease at The Oaks Hospital in Colchester, including colonoscopy where it is needed, with clear explanation of what the results mean.
Dr Thines Karunakaran
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Symptoms worth assessing
Inflammatory bowel disease is easy to mistake for a sensitive gut. These symptoms deserve objective testing rather than reassurance alone:
- Diarrhoea lasting more than a few weeks
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Abdominal pain, cramping and urgency
- Waking at night to open your bowels
- Unintended weight loss or persistent fatigue
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- A family history of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
How your assessment works
Your appointment begins with a detailed history and examination, followed by blood tests and a stool calprotectin test that measures inflammation in the bowel. Where the picture suggests inflammation, colonoscopy with biopsies confirms the diagnosis and shows how extensive it is. Biopsy results take a few weeks and are discussed with you at follow-up.
Telling IBD apart from IBS
Many people are told they have a sensitive gut when in fact inflammation is present, and others are investigated repeatedly when their symptoms are functional. Objective testing separates the two quickly, which avoids both unnecessary treatment and missed diagnoses.
Ongoing care and NHS specialist services
Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is planned with you. Straightforward management can continue privately, while complex or advanced therapy such as biologic treatment is delivered through NHS specialist IBD services, with onward referral arranged where that is the right route for your care.
Insured and self-pay
Recognised by Bupa (Fee Assured), AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Healix, Allianz Worldwide Care, Aetna International, The Exeter and Benenden Health. Self-pay consultation fees are published in advance and any endoscopy is quoted before it is booked.
Crohn's and colitis FAQs
What is inflammatory bowel disease?+
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes long-term inflammation of the digestive tract, most commonly Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It differs from irritable bowel syndrome because there is visible inflammation and tissue damage, which can be seen at endoscopy and measured on blood and stool tests.
What are the symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?+
Common symptoms include persistent diarrhoea, blood or mucus in the stool, abdominal pain and cramping, urgency, fatigue, unintended weight loss and mouth ulcers. Symptoms often come and go in flares, and any of them lasting more than a few weeks should be assessed.
How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?+
Assessment usually combines blood tests, a stool calprotectin test that measures bowel inflammation, and colonoscopy with biopsies. Laboratory analysis of biopsies takes a few weeks, after which the findings and a treatment plan are discussed with you.
Can I be seen privately in Colchester for IBD symptoms?+
Yes. Dr Thines Karunakaran offers prompt private assessment at The Oaks Hospital for symptoms that may indicate inflammatory bowel disease, including colonoscopy where appropriate. Complex long-term IBD care and biologic therapy are delivered through NHS specialist services, and onward referral is arranged where that is the right route for you.
Arrange an IBD assessment in Colchester
GP referrals and self-referrals welcome · Rapid appointments at The Oaks Hospital, Colchester.