At the Northwestern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, we are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care to our patients. Our staff uses a biopsychosocial approach for evaluating and treating these disorders. Biopsychosocial medicine outlines that there are biological, psychological, and social aspects to illness. We feel it is very important to use this framework to guide our patient care. Additionally, we take a nutritional approach to IBD and monitor our patients for micronutrient deficiencies that are common among individuals with IBD. We also diagnose and treat IBD-associated bone disease.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
Our clinic is located within the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus, a nationally renowned hospital located in downtown Chicago. We offer a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered approach that integrates physiological and psychological factors in the evaluation, understanding and treatment of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Clinic services are provided by the Center's gastroenterologists, health psychologist, and nurses. See the About Our Staff page for more information on the clinicians who may provide you with care during your visit.
GI Laboratory
The GI Laboratory is located on the 4th floor of the Galter Pavilion and is directed by Dr. John Martin. It is recommended that patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease first be seen in the IBD Clinic, but diagnostic motility tests may also be scheduled directly by outside physicians. The following services are provided by the GI Laboratory Service:
- Diagnostic endoscopy (upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, small intestinal endoscopy)
- Anorectal motility and functional testing to evaluate fecal incontinence, constipation or rectal pain
- Esophageal motility testing
- Antroduodenal and small intestinal manometry
- Electrogastrography and nutrient drink tests for stomach function
- Gastric emptying tests
- Ambulatory esophageal pH studies to evaluate reflux and chest pain
- Hydrogen breath tests for small bowel bacterial overgrowth, lactose and other carbohydrate malabsorption
- Breath tests for H. pylori infection
Psychological Services
When the medical evaluation of a patient visiting the Northwestern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic suggests that psychological evaluation would be beneficial, Dr. Laurie Keefer or a psychology intern working with Dr. Keefer will participate in your care as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Psychological treatments include pain management, stress management, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation training, and gut-directed hypnotherapy. Dr. Keefer has an office located within our clinic, and can schedule you for an extended visit, either that very same day or at a follow-up appointment.
General Clinical Research Center
When participating in some clinical research, you will visit the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). Click here for more information on the GCRC
675 N. St
Clair Street, 17th Floor • Chicago, IL 60611 • 312.695.5620
Copyright© 2006 Northwestern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center