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What is IBD treatment?
IBD treatment focuses on controlling inflammation, easing symptoms and preventing flare-ups in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, a group of long-term conditions, principally Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, that cause inflammation of the digestive tract. Treatment centres on managing abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fatigue, and on preventing complications over the long term, in line with current specialist digestive disease guidance (NIDDK, 2026).
Patients across Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland seek out Dr Kejariwal for IBD care because of his decade of experience leading the IBD Service at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Treatment is highly individualised and may include dietary and lifestyle guidance, anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating medication, biologic therapies, and close monitoring through blood tests, colonoscopy and imaging, with the aim of achieving and maintaining remission and protecting long-term digestive health. If your symptoms overlap with, or are difficult to distinguish from, IBS, Dr Kejariwal’s thorough diagnostic approach ensures the correct condition is identified before treatment begins.
Living with IBD in 2026
IBD affects more than 500,000 people in the UK, according to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, and both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are lifelong conditions requiring ongoing specialist input (Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 2026). Advances in biologic and targeted therapies over recent years mean that more patients than ever can achieve sustained remission, but getting the right treatment plan in place, and adjusting it promptly when needed, relies on close, consultant-led monitoring. Because IBD can also increase long-term bowel cancer risk with prolonged disease duration, regular surveillance colonoscopy forms an important part of ongoing care for many patients.
Preparation
Your first consultation will involve a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history and any previous investigations or treatments. You may be asked to bring recent blood test results, imaging or endoscopy reports if available. Depending on your presentation, Dr Kejariwal may recommend further investigations such as colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, blood tests or stool markers (calprotectin) to confirm the diagnosis and assess disease activity, with preparation instructions for any of these provided separately.
What happens on the day
01
Arrival & consultation
You will meet Dr Kejariwal for a thorough consultation covering your symptoms, history, and any prior treatment, allowing a personalised assessment of your condition.
02
Assessment & investigations
Where needed, further tests are arranged, such as blood work, stool tests, or endoscopic examination, to confirm diagnosis and assess the extent and severity of inflammation.
03
Treatment planning
Dr Kejariwal develops a personalised treatment plan, which may include medication, dietary advice, and a monitoring schedule tailored to your specific type and severity of IBD.
04
Ongoing care, the same day
You leave with a clear management plan and a written summary sent to you and your GP, with follow-up appointments arranged to monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Risks and safety
IBD treatment is carefully tailored to balance effective symptom control against potential side effects of medication, particularly with longer-term or immune-modulating therapies. Dr Kejariwal monitors patients closely through regular blood tests and reviews to detect and manage any side effects early, and will discuss the risks and benefits of each treatment option in detail so you can make an informed choice about your care.
Your results
You will receive a clear, written management plan following your consultation, along with a copy sent to your GP. Ongoing monitoring, through blood tests, symptom reviews and periodic endoscopy where appropriate, allows Dr Kejariwal to track your response to treatment and adjust your care plan to keep your IBD well controlled over the long term.
Frequently asked questions about IBD treatment
What does IBD treatment involve?
IBD treatment usually combines medication to control inflammation, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and regular monitoring through blood tests and endoscopy, tailored to whether you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
What is the difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and often involves deeper tissue layers, while ulcerative colitis affects only the large bowel and rectum lining. Both are managed with similar but individually tailored approaches.
Can IBD be cured?
IBD is currently a long-term condition without a cure, but with the right treatment plan, most patients can achieve long periods of remission and lead a full, active life.
How is IBD diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of blood tests, stool markers, and endoscopic examination (colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) with biopsies to confirm the type and extent of inflammation.
Will I need biologic medication for my IBD?
Not everyone with IBD requires biologic therapy. Treatment is stepped according to severity, and Dr Kejariwal will recommend the most appropriate option based on your individual disease activity.
Usually seen within 1-2 weeks
Referral routes: GP, self-referral or insurer. Bupa recognised, fee assured.
About Dr Deepak Kejariwal
Consultant Gastroenterologist & General Physician, FHEA, leading the IBD Service at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for over 10 years, with 18+ years of consultant experience overall. Serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham, North Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland.