Most people with Crohn’s disease can lead a fairly normal life with treatment. The treatments your doctor recommends will depend on the severity and type of symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as what parts of your digestive tract are affected. The two main types of treatment for Crohn’s disease are medication and surgery.
Medications for Crohn’s Disease
There are a number of medicines available to treat Crohn’s disease. Your doctor may recommend one or more drugs, depending on which parts of the digestive tract are causing your symptoms. Most medications to treat Crohn’s disease reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Some medicines are used to treat flares, when symptoms are at their worst. Other medicines help prevent the return of symptoms once they’ve gone away. Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs) These drugs help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, especially in the colon. Aminosalicylates are generally prescribed for people with mild to moderate symptoms. According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, they’re most useful as a maintenance treatment to prevent relapses. Their effects are localized to the intestines, and they have fewer side effects than some of the other medications used to treat Crohn’s. Corticosteroids Also known simply as steroids, these drugs help reduce inflammation and immune system activity. Deltasone (prednisone), Medrol (methylprednisolone), and Entocort EC (budesonide) are commonly prescribed corticosteroids for Crohn’s disease. Corticosteroids suppress the entire immune system, not just in the digestive tract. Immunomodulators These drugs help reduce inflammation by suppressing the body’s immune system. Your doctor may recommend an immunomodulator if you have severe symptoms, or if you haven’t seen enough improvement in your symptoms with aminosalicylates and corticosteroids. Biologic response modifiers (biologics) These drugs help prevent inflammation by targeting proteins made by the immune system. They’re often taken in combination with other medications and are given intravenously (by IV) or by injection. Some biologics can be taken at home, but others must be given in a doctor’s office. Commonly prescribed biologics include Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Cimzia (certolizumab), Tysabri (natalizumab), Stelara (ustekinumab), and Entyvio (vedolizumab). Antibiotics These drugs can help treat or prevent Crohn’s complications that involve infection, such as abscesses and fistulas. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers believe that antibiotics may reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the intestines, and thus reduce inflammation. Surgery isn’t a cure for Crohn’s disease, but some people can live without symptoms for as long as several years after surgery. Commonly performed surgeries for Crohn’s disease include: Colectomy, proctocolectomy, and ileostomy A simple colectomy removes the colon but preserves the rectum, allowing stool to pass through the anus normally. Waste is then collected in an external bag or pouch, which can be emptied into a toilet and replaced whenever it fills up.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
Some people with Crohn’s disease use complementary therapies, together with conventional treatments such as medicine and surgery, to help reduce symptoms. Complementary therapies for Crohn’s disease include: Tell your doctor if you use any complementary therapies, especially if you’re taking dietary supplements or vitamins. Additional reporting by Ashley Welch
