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Crohn’s disease is a mysterious disorder that profoundly affects the digestive system. It can feel like someone's operating heavy equipment in your gut! There is no cure for the disease and treatment is marginal at best. The objective for treatment as it is right now is to control inflammation in the bowls, relieve the discomfort associated with the disease and to assure that the individual gets adequate nutrition.
The first treatment most people who have Crohn’s disease are drugs containing 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA). These drugs help control inflammation in the intestines. The drugs containing the 5-aminosalicyaltes have been found to be more effective than the drug traditionally used to treat Crohn’s disease, Sulfasalazine (azulfidine). The drugs containing the 5-ASA component require higher doses but they have fewer side effects. The most effective drugs for active Crohn’s disease are corticosteroids such as prednisone. These drugs can control inflammation as well. Although drugs like prednisone are effective for active Crohn’s disease, they are not very effective for maintaining an individual in remission. These drugs also have serious negative side effects. People who take these drugs are more prone to infection. They may gain weight and have increased blood sugar levels. These drugs can also cause thinning of the bones, elevated blood pressure, and have an adverse effect on the individual’s personality. Both corticosteroids and 5-ASAs are not approved for Crohn's disease in particular. Antibiotics such as Flagyl (metronidazole) are often prescribed to combat many kinds of bacteria. These antibiotics are prescribed even though they are not designed for Crohn’s disease. However, they have proven to be effective in the treatment of the symptoms of the disorder. Antidiarrheal drugs like Lomotil (diphenoxylate) and Imodium (loperamide), have been effective in relieving cramps and diarrhea associated with the disease. Many Crohn's disease patients have to get surgery to rid themselves of the chronic symptoms of the disease that can not be treated with medication. During surgery, the bowel is cut right above the diseased region and right below the diseased region then reconnected. However, Crohn’s disease often returns after surgery so it is crucial to consider all of the ramifications associated with surgery. This should only be used as a last resort. Remission from Crohn’s disease is a welcomed relief for those who suffer from the disease. Many have relief for months or even years. Nevertheless, the disease is apt to reappear without warning. This mysterious condition continues to baffle the medical community. The source and the cure remain a unidentified. |
