There is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, so the goal is to treat the Crohn’s-related inflammation, which helps in managing the symptoms and treating the complications of the disease. When inflammation and symptoms are not affecting a patient’s daily life, this is called remission. Patients in remission can have normal growth and a very good quality of life.
One method for treating inflammation is medication. There are a variety of prescriptions available for individuals with Crohn’s because each individual will have different needs and reactions to the medication. Physicians will choose medication based on the following:
It is possible that you will have to try a few different medications before finding one that works for you. Both the reduction of symptoms and the presence of side effects will be taken into account when determining if a prescription is beneficial for a patient.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication may be used to manage symptoms such as diarrhea and pain, but patients are advised to consult their physician before using OTC treatments.
Diet is another tool used to manage Crohn’s disease. In some cases, a physician may want to provide the bowels some time to rest, or not digest solid food. Under this condition, a patient may spend a short period of time “eating” through a feeding tube or via a substance injected directly to the veins.
In less extreme instances, patients may simply be asked to keep a food diary during Crohn’s flare-ups so they can track what habits tend to aggravate their symptoms and what habits tend to minimize symptoms.
Up to one half of individuals diagnosed with Crohn’s will receive some sort of surgery. Surgery will provide a temporary benefit to the individual by removing or repairing a damaged portion of the digestive tract.
Crohn’s disease can lead to some major lifestyle changes, so it is important to have support systems in place. Support can manifest in a number of ways.
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