Treatment Options For Crohn"s Disease
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder of the inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, family.
With this disorder, the small intestine becomes irritated and inflamed, which can cause symptoms like unpredictable diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and malnutrition.
Sadly, Crohn's disease is incurable, but sufferers of this disease have several different treatment options for managing their symptoms.
Because Crohn's disease is irreversible, doctors strive to help you manage your symptoms so that you can lead as close to a normal life as possible.
Since Crohn's is the result of inflammation as well as autoimmune problems, there are several ways in which a gastroenterologist can address your issues.
First, people with this form of IBD can take anti-inflammatory drugs in order to help release the tension in the small intestine.
Three families of anti-inflammatory drugs used for Crohn's are sulfa medications like sulfasalazine as well as corticosteroids and mesalamine.
If your problems continue despite anti-inflammatories, you can turn to immune system repressors.
Because Crohn's disease occurs when your body essentially attacks its own intestines, immunosuppressant drugs can help reduce this irrational response.
By doing so, these immune system receptors can also help reduce inflammation.
Some common immunosuppressant medications for Crohn's disease include infliximab, azathioprine, adalimumab, methotrexate, and cyclosporine, among others.
Should you develop fistulas in your intestines, you may have to take antibiotics to help reduce these abnormal tissues.
Antibiotics used to treat fistulas include metronidazole and ciprofloxacin.
Up to 80% of Crohn's disease patients undergo surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestines.
In half of these cases that require surgery, sufferers will need additional surgery in the future to continue to remove scar tissue and address other problems.
With this disorder, the small intestine becomes irritated and inflamed, which can cause symptoms like unpredictable diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and malnutrition.
Sadly, Crohn's disease is incurable, but sufferers of this disease have several different treatment options for managing their symptoms.
Because Crohn's disease is irreversible, doctors strive to help you manage your symptoms so that you can lead as close to a normal life as possible.
Since Crohn's is the result of inflammation as well as autoimmune problems, there are several ways in which a gastroenterologist can address your issues.
First, people with this form of IBD can take anti-inflammatory drugs in order to help release the tension in the small intestine.
Three families of anti-inflammatory drugs used for Crohn's are sulfa medications like sulfasalazine as well as corticosteroids and mesalamine.
If your problems continue despite anti-inflammatories, you can turn to immune system repressors.
Because Crohn's disease occurs when your body essentially attacks its own intestines, immunosuppressant drugs can help reduce this irrational response.
By doing so, these immune system receptors can also help reduce inflammation.
Some common immunosuppressant medications for Crohn's disease include infliximab, azathioprine, adalimumab, methotrexate, and cyclosporine, among others.
Should you develop fistulas in your intestines, you may have to take antibiotics to help reduce these abnormal tissues.
Antibiotics used to treat fistulas include metronidazole and ciprofloxacin.
Up to 80% of Crohn's disease patients undergo surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestines.
In half of these cases that require surgery, sufferers will need additional surgery in the future to continue to remove scar tissue and address other problems.
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