There are a variety of treatments available today for Crohn's disease, and researchers are continuing to develop exciting new options. The location and severity of your disease, complications, and your response to previous treatment will all influence your doctor's choice of therapy. There are several important goals of treatment recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology:

• Induce and maintain remission
• Heal mucosa
• Restore and maintain nutrition
• Maintain quality of life as it relates to Crohn's disease
• Select optimal timing for those requiring surgical intervention

5-ASA Agents

Most people are first treated with drugs containing mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is the most commonly used of these drugs. If you do not benefit from sulfasalazine or cannot tolerate it, you may be put on other drugs that contain mesalamine, generally known as 5-ASA agents.

Possible side effects of mesalamine preparations include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache. However, 5-ASA agents are usually well tolerated. These drugs are frequently effective for mild to moderate, but not severe, inflammation.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids help control inflammation and are very effective for active Crohn's disease, even if severe. If you respond to steroid treatment, your doctor will usually try to gradually lower the dose of the steroid in order to avoid some of the significant side effects of this class of drugs, which include increased blood pressure, cataracts, premature osteoporosis, and excessive weight gain.

Immunomodulators

Drugs that modulate (alter) the immune system are also used to treat Crohn's disease. Most commonly prescribed are 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and a related drug, azathioprine. Immunomodulators work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation. You may experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as low white blood count and reduced resistance to infection.

If you take these drugs you need to have your blood count monitored on a regular basis. It often takes several months of treatment for immunomodulators to take effect.

Monoclonal Antibody

A treatment called infliximab or REMICADE® (infliximab) is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits a substance called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein produced by the immune system that plays a central role in the inflammation associated with Crohn's disease. REMICADE is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. REMICADE is also indicated for reducing the number of draining enterocutaneous and rectovaginal fistulas and maintaining fistula closure in patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease.

Please read Important Product Information.

Further Information:

For more information about a treatment for Crohn's disease, call 1-866-242-8635.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by strictures, fistulas, or prior surgery. They are also used to treat any bacterial infections that are present, including abscesses. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and ampicillin.

Antidiarrheal Medications

Diarrhea and abdominal pain are often relieved when the inflammation subsides, but you may need additional medication. Several antidiarrheal agents may be prescribed by your doctor, including diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine. If you are dehydrated because of diarrhea, you will be treated with fluids and electrolytes.

Traditional drugs and treatment for people with Crohn's disease usually include drug therapy and surgery. However, these kinds of treatments can sometimes cause unwanted side effects. Alternative medicine, also called holistic medicine, is an approach to healing which looks at the body as a whole. You should discuss any alternative treatment with your physician before you begin. Some alternative therapies that have been used to compliment conventional treatment include:

• Relaxation training
• Biofeedback
• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Vitamin therapy
• Herbal and botanical treatments

Relaxation Training

You may have already discovered that stress can exacerbate the symptoms of your Crohn's disease. Relaxation training can be used to reduce stress and to manage chronic pain. Try the following relaxation techniques to cope with your symptoms:

• Progressive muscle relaxation - By using a series of exercises, you can learn how to contract and relax major muscle areas
• Hypnotherapy - By using hypnosis techniques, you can learn to relax deeply and to manage chronic pain
• Autogenic training - People enter a deeply relaxed state with this technique of repetitive phrasing, such as repeating the words “warm” or “heavy”
• Visualization - Also called imagery: a technique in which you first relax using a method such as autogenic training, and then follow relaxation by inducing a self-hypnotic state, imagining different calming and comforting scenarios, like a beautiful beach or a serene flower garden
• Meditation - By using contemplation, concentration, and repetitive thoughts and phrasing, you may be able to attain a state of both physical and mental relaxation
• Yoga - Achieving a sense of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being through stretching and breathing exercises that challenge your muscles and lungs

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a relaxation therapy that uses a machine to monitor your temperature, perspiration level, brain waves, and blood flow. Electronic sensors are taped to your body and measure such bodily functions as your heart rate and muscle tension, showing you the results via a series of beeps, pictures, or lines. This technique enables you to "see" how well you are able to control your body’s response to stress and pain. The idea is to train your mind and body to accomplish the management of pain relief or muscle contractions without needing to refer to the machine's readings.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used successfully for over 3000 years. This form of therapy uses very thin needles which are inserted into special points on your body. It is thought that this therapy is effective in helping to manage chronic pain by using the needles to stimulate the brain, which then releases endorphins, chemicals that block pain.

Homeopathy

The theory behind homeopathy is the notion that "like heals like."
In other words, you can cure a disease by using a very small amount of the substance that causes the disease. In homeopathic remedies, the actual disease-inducing substance is so diluted, it is almost impossible to detect.

Homeopathic physicians usually have a very long interview with the patient in which information regarding lifestyle, diet, exercise, and other topics are discussed, before a treatment is recommended.

Vitamin Therapy

Research is currently underway looking for a link between vitamin therapy and Crohn's disease. Specifically, researchers are trying to find out if certain nutrients that produce antioxidant enzymes can help neutralize excessive free-radical production, which can be found in people who have Crohn's disease. To produce antioxidant enzymes, the body needs the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Beta carotene
• Copper
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Zinc

Herbal and Botanical Treatments

There is some concern about using popular herbal treatments for relief from symptoms of Crohn's disease. One problem is that herbal treatments are not regulated to the same extent that drugs are so there may be some concern regarding the purity and standardization of the product. Additionally, the effectiveness is generally not studied as rigorously as drugs. Caution should be used since some herbal remedies can interact with standard medications. However, some people feel the following herbal and botanical treatments may help alleviate some of the symptoms of Crohn's disease:

• Aloe vera juice
• Slippery elm bark
• Chamomile
• Peppermint

If you are using or plan to use any herbal or botanical treatments it is important to let your physician know.

Remember that the information provided by this site is for general background purposes and is not intended to be used in connection with, or as a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your own physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.

As a person with Crohn's disease, you need to develop a long-lasting and positive relationship with a physician. Usually this doctor will be a gastroenterologist, internist, or a family practitioner who is experienced in the treatment of Crohn's disease. In addition, you want to make certain that the doctor is affiliated with a reputable hospital that will provide high-quality care.

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) recommends contacting one of their local chapters for a list of local physicians who specialize in Crohn's disease. Call 1-800-932-2423 to locate your nearest CCFA chapter, or visit http://www.ccfa.org.

Once you've selected a physician, check out his or her credentials. You can contact the American Board of Medical Specialists at 1-800-776-2378 to find out if your physician is board certified in at least one of the following areas:

• Internal medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Family practice
• Pediatrics (for patients who are children)

Your local library can provide the following resources for finding a physician:

• American Medical Directory
• Directory of Medical Specialists
• Questionable Doctors

Contact your state medical licensing board to determine if your physician is fully licensed to practice in your state.

It's a good idea to interview your prospective physician when you are feeling well, instead of trying to find a new doctor when you are ill and feeling stressed out. At the interview, ask yourself the following questions:

• Was the doctor respectful?
• Did he or she really listen to what you had to say?
• Did you feel like you had sufficient time?
• Did the physician seem to have any useful suggestions?

Remember, it’s up to you to be a proactive participant in your healthcare decisions by educating yourself and communicating with your doctor.

Remember that the information provided by this site is for general background purposes and is not intended to be used in connection with, or as a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your own physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.

Some people may experience long periods of remission when they are free of symptoms. These periods can last for years. However, the symptoms usually recur at various times over a person's lifetime. It is not possible to predict when a remission may occur, or when symptoms will return. Because of the unpredictability of Crohn's disease, medical care may be needed for as long as your doctor deems necessary, with regular office visits to monitor your condition.

The treatment plan that's right for you may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options.

Top of Page