Physical exams are performed as part of disease diagnosis and after disease confirmation during scheduled follow up appointments
In this exam, a doctor will focus their attention on two areas: the abdomen for tenderness and inflammatory mass and the rectal area for a number of signs (anal tags, fissures [cracks in the lining of the anus] and fistulae)
The doctor may also feel for distension, and possible changes in other internal organs such as the liver and spleen, and listen to the bowel sounds.
The doctor may also explore additional physical symptoms commonly associated with IBD activity
