Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease which may aslo called ileitis or enteritis and affects men and women equally. Crohn’s disease can occur in people of all age groups and seems to run in some families. Parts of the digestive system get swollen and have deep sores called ulcers. The ulcers can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. People with Crohn’s disease may have severe belly faint or have a fast and weak pulse. Crohn’s disease often make people vomit again and again or have a fever or shaking chills. This article presents how to treat this irritating condition.
To treat Crohn’s disease, the patients may use drugs, nutrition supplements, or have surgery, or a combination of these options. Treatment for Crohn’s disease depends on the location and severity of disease, complications, and the person’s response to previous medical treatments when treated for recurring symptoms. But there is no cure.
Drug Therapy
Anti-Inflammation Drugs. Most people are first treated with drugs containing mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation. However, mesalamine can make possible side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache.
Cortisone or Steroids called corticosteriods—provide very effective results. But these drugs can cause serious side effects, including greater susceptibility to infection.
Immune System Suppressors. Drugs that suppress the immune system work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation. These drugs may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and may lower a person’s resistance to infection. To enhance the effectiveness of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs are suggested to employ.
Infliximab (Remicade). This drug is the first of a group of medications that blocks the body’s inflammation response.
Antibiotics. Antibiotics such as ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by stricture, fistulas, or prior surgery
Anti-Diarrheal and Fluid Replacements. Several antidiarrheal agents could be used, including diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine for anti-diarrheal and fluids and electrolytes are used who patients who are dehydrated.
Nutrition Supplementation. Nutritional supplements are necessary to supplement extra nutrition temporarily, especially for children whose growth has been slowed. However, remember foods such as bulky grains, hot spices, alcohol, and milk products may increase diarrhea and cramping.
Surgery
Surgery is used either to relieve symptoms that do not respond to medical therapy or to correct complications such as blockage, perforation, abscess, or bleeding in the intestine. However, it is not a cure. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering it should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.