Crohns Disease Treatment – A Brief Overview

Crohns disease treatment can comprise of medication, dietary control and surgery. There are several alternate treatments that are gaining popularity, such as, acupuncture, aromatherapy, naturopathy, homeopathy, and herbal remedies.

Crohns disease is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that has no medical cure as yet. Treatment is given to improve health, control the inflammation, and to relieve symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The treatment prescribed depends on the individuals, the severity of the condition, the location of the inflammation, and any prior treatment that they may have received. Some of the Crohns disease treatment includes:

 Corticosteroids: These drugs can be very effective, but are associated with sever side effects, including, high blood pressure, lesser resistance to infections, and osteoporosis. Prednisone and methylprednisolone are used to treat patients, who have moderate to severe complication.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Drugs with mesalamine are prescribed to treat the inflammations. In case, the medication is ineffective, they are treated with Aminosalicylates. 5-ASA agents are given to those, who have mild to moderate symptoms. These drugs have side effects such as, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

 

Immuno-modulators Or Immune System Suppressors: Drugs such as 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine are given to patients, to suppress their immune system's reaction, which can reduce inflammation. These drugs can be given in combination with corticosteroids, as they are said to enhance their effect. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lowered resistance to diseases are common.

 

Antibody Therapy: Infliximab is used in treating patients, who have not responded to other treatments. The chimeric antibody is also used in draining fistulas.

 

Antibiotics And Anti-Diarrhea Drugs: Antibiotics such as metronidazole, sulfonamide, ampicillin, cephalosporin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline have been used in treating the patients. Anti-diarrhea drugs, diphenoxylate, and codeine have also been prescribed.

 

Diet Therapy: The most effective treatment may be diet therapy. A carefully planned and nutritionally well-balanced diet plays a major role in Crohns disease treatment. Elimination of foods that may trigger the disease, eating small frequent meals, increasing fluid intake and avoiding acidic, fried, pickled foods can help.

 

Surgery: Surgery is not a cure; it just helps patients who have not responded to any of the treatment. The patients may need surgery due to blockages, abscesses, bleeding, fistulas, and perforations. Some patients may lose a part of their intestine or may have to undergo a full colectomy and may have to wear a pouch around their waist that collects their body waste through an opening called the stoma.

 

Acupuncture: It is an ancient Chinese therapy, where needles are pierced at specific points, to cure the body of the disease. Many patients, who have suffered from the disease, consider it a very helpful Crohns disease treatment.

Aromatherapy: The body is made to relax and stress is relieved using scents that can trigger appropriate healing mechanisms in the body.

 

Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Herbal Remedies: Natural herbs and plants are used in various combinations, to effect specific results. Aloe Vera gel, grape fruit extract, alfalfa, barley greens, primrose oil and various other products have been offered to patients.

 

These are some Crohns disease treatments that are commonly used. Some treatments are effective in offering relief to some people, while they have no affect, whatsoever, on other sufferers. The best Crohns disease treatment is to have a positive attitude, adhere to a strict diet, eat nutritious meals, and to follow the advice of your physician.