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Best Gastroenterologists for Ulcerative Colitis in Chennai, India

This page lists 3 ulcerative colitis doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

Quick answer

This page lists 3 ulcerative colitis doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.

About Ulcerative Colitis doctors in Chennai, India

This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.

About the Condition

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes persistent inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Left inadequately managed, it can significantly affect quality of life and carries long-term risks including severe flares, anaemia, malnutrition, and—after many years of extensive disease—an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Associated conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, joint inflammation, and skin or eye involvement can also arise in some patients. A thorough assessment, including detailed medical history, blood and stool investigations, and endoscopic evaluation, is essential to understand an individual's disease extent and severity before any treatment plan is recommended.

Individual assessmentEvery case is different
Complete evaluationUnderstand the condition first
Specialist reviewChoose the right approach
Medical assessment helps clarify severity and identify appropriate options.

Treatment options for Ulcerative Colitis

Care may include lifestyle changes, medical treatment, specialist review or a procedure, depending on the diagnosis, associated conditions and individual goals. The options below are associated with this condition in the GAF Healthcare directory.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure in which a flexible, camera-equipped scope is passed through the rectum to examine the lining of the colon and terminal ileum.

Why it may be consideredIt is a key diagnostic and monitoring tool for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, allowing doctors to assess disease extent, take biopsies, and detect complications such as strictures or polyps.

Key distinction: Most Common

View procedure details

Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a flexible camera-equipped scope is passed through the rectum to examine the entire colon, allowing the gastroenterologist to visually assess inflammation and take small tissue samples for laboratory analysis.

Why it may be consideredIn Ulcerative Colitis, it is used to confirm diagnosis, determine disease extent and severity, monitor treatment response, and screen for complications such as dysplasia or colorectal cancer. It is considered the gold-standard investigation for this condition.

Key distinction: Most Popular

View procedure details

How is Ulcerative Colitis treated?

Care usually follows several stages, from assessment through treatment and follow-up.

1

Assessment

Review medical history, BMI and overall health.

2

Lifestyle & medical treatment

Diet, physical activity, behavioural support and medicines when appropriate.

3

Specialist evaluation

Assess whether additional treatment may be appropriate.

4

Treatment selection

Non-surgical or surgical options based on individual circumstances.

5

Treatment & recovery

Follow the selected treatment plan and recovery guidance.

6

Long-term follow-up

Monitor weight, health and response to treatment.

Ulcerative Colitis doctors

Image not available Featured

Dr. Navin Kumar Marannan

DM, MD, MBBS
Consultant — Hepatology & Medical Gastroenterology · Specialty: Hepatologist & Medical Gastroenterologist
Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre Chennai, India15+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 15+ years of experience in Hepatologist & Medical Gastroenterologist
  • Consultant — Hepatology & Medical Gastroenterology, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chennai (Present)
  • Senior Resident — Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi (2019–2022)
Expertise & Procedures
  • Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) Measurement
  • Percutaneous Liver Biopsy
  • Transjugular Liver Biopsy
  • ERCP with Therapeutic Intervention
  • Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy
View all procedures →
Hepatologist & Medical Gastroenterologist Experience: 15+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Dr. Rela Institute & Medical CentreHospital accreditation: NABH, NABL
View Profile Book a Consultation
Image not available

Dr. S. Babu Kumar

MBBS, MD, DM
Senior Consultant — Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary · Specialty: Gastroenterologist & Interventional Endoscopist
Gleneagles Global Hospital Chennai, India19+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 19+ years of experience in Gastroenterologist & Interventional Endoscopist
  • Senior Consultant — Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai, Present
  • Clinical practice spanning gastroenterology and interventional endoscopy across South Indian academic and tertiary care institutions, 19+ years
Expertise & Procedures
  • Therapeutic ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Bile duct stone extraction
  • Biliary stricture dilation
View all procedures →
Gastroenterologist & Interventional Endoscopist Experience: 19+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Gleneagles Global HospitalHospital accreditation: NABH, JCI
View Profile Book a Consultation
Image not available

Dr. Srinivas M

MBBS, MRCP, FRCP
Consultant — Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary · Specialty: Medical Gastroenterologist
Gleneagles Global Health City Chennai, India25+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
  • 25+ years of experience in Medical Gastroenterologist
  • Consultant – Gastroenterology & Hepatobiliary, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai
  • Clinical Lecturer, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom (Honorary)
Expertise & Procedures
  • Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Gastroscopy)
  • Colonoscopy
  • Therapeutic ERCP
  • Video Capsule Endoscopy
  • High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry
View all procedures →
Medical Gastroenterologist Experience: 25+ YearsHospital Affiliation: Gleneagles Global Health CityHospital accreditation: NABH, JCI
View Profile Book a Consultation

Hospitals where these doctors practise

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Starting from$2,000

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre

Est. 2018
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
GastroenterologyCardiac SurgeryCardiologyMedical Oncology
1+
Doctors here
4.7
108 reviews
450+
Beds
8+
Years Since Founded
Dr. Navin Kumar Marannan
View Hospital Profile Enquire / Get Free Opinion
Gleneagles Global Hospital🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Starting from$2,000

Gleneagles Global Hospital

Est. 1999
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationJCI — Joint Commission International accreditation
GastroenterologyCardiac SurgeryCardiologyMedical Oncology
2+
Doctors here
4.7
112 reviews
1000+
Beds
27+
Years Since Founded
Dr. S. Babu KumarDr. Srinivas M
View Hospital Profile Enquire / Get Free Opinion

Why consider treatment in India?

Many international patients consider India for ulcerative colitis treatment for several reasons, including:

More affordable estimates

Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.

Internationally accredited hospitals

Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.

Experienced specialists

Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.

Care coordination support

A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.

How this directory is built

Doctors are matched using the specialty, location, condition (Ulcerative Colitis) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.

Need help with the next step?

Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.

Common questions

FAQs about Ulcerative Colitis in Chennai, India

What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition in which the immune system triggers ongoing inflammation in the lining of the colon and rectum, leading to ulcers, bleeding, and disruption of normal bowel function. It follows a relapsing-remitting course in most people, meaning periods of active symptoms alternate with periods of remission.
What are the symptoms and health risks of Ulcerative Colitis?
Common symptoms include frequent or urgent diarrhoea—often containing blood or mucus—persistent abdominal cramping, rectal pain or urgency, unintended weight loss, and fatigue. Some patients also experience symptoms outside the gut, such as joint pain, mouth ulcers, or skin changes. It is important to note that these symptoms overlap with other bowel conditions, and their presence alone is not sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
How is Ulcerative Colitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, blood tests (looking for anaemia, elevated inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR, and nutritional deficiencies), and stool tests including faecal calprotectin. Endoscopic examination—most commonly a colonoscopy, sometimes with targeted biopsies—is the definitive step, allowing a gastroenterologist to visualise the extent and pattern of inflammation and confirm the diagnosis histologically. Disease severity and extent are usually classified using validated indices such as the Mayo Score or Montreal Classification, which guide treatment decisions.
How is Ulcerative Colitis treated?
Treatment is highly individualised and depends on the extent of disease (proctitis, left-sided, or extensive/pancolitis), current severity (mild, moderate, or severe), and the patient's overall health and treatment history. Mild-to-moderate disease is usually managed with medication, whereas severe or steroid-refractory disease may require escalation to biologic or immunomodulator therapy, and a small proportion of patients may ultimately need surgical intervention such as colectomy. Regular monitoring through clinical review and repeat colonoscopy is a standard part of long-term care.
Can Ulcerative Colitis be treated without surgery?
The majority of people with ulcerative colitis are managed without surgery, using a stepped approach that may include aminosalicylates (such as mesalazine) for mild disease, corticosteroids to control acute flares, and longer-term immunomodulators (such as azathioprine) or biologic agents (such as anti-TNF therapies or integrin inhibitors) for moderate-to-severe or frequently relapsing disease. Dietary guidance and nutritional support play a supportive role, and smoking cessation is particularly relevant as smoking can influence disease behaviour in UC. The specific medications, doses, and monitoring schedules appropriate for any individual must be determined by a qualified clinician based on a full assessment.
When is Colonoscopy considered for Ulcerative Colitis?
Colonoscopy may be considered when conservative or medical options have not achieved enough improvement, or when the severity of the condition warrants it. The decision depends on clinical assessment, expected benefits and individual risks.
Which doctor treats Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is primarily evaluated and managed by a gastroenterologist, ideally one with a subspecialty interest in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with complex or refractory disease, or those being considered for surgery, are best served by a multidisciplinary team that may also include a colorectal surgeon and, where extraintestinal manifestations are present, relevant specialists such as a rheumatologist or hepatologist.
How do I choose a doctor for Ulcerative Colitis?
When comparing providers, look for a gastroenterologist with demonstrable experience in managing inflammatory bowel disease, access to the full spectrum of biologic therapies, and affiliation with a centre that offers both endoscopic services and colorectal surgical backup should escalation be needed. Consistent follow-up and a structured surveillance colonoscopy programme are important indicators of comprehensive long-term care.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a medical summary, investigation and imaging or biopsy reports where relevant, a current medication list, previous diagnoses and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translation where needed.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team helps review initial medical information, connect you with suitable doctors and hospitals, explain next steps and indicative estimates, and organise a treatment plan before travel.
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