Keep Up On Your
Crohn’s Treatment
Have remission in mind when looking for a treatment plan that's right for you.
As the number of people affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s—rises, it’s apparent that there’s a need to find a cure. At the same time, scientific advances have led to more understanding of the disease and treatment options for patients.
3 Main Goals of Crohn’s Treatment
1
Achieve remission
(no symptoms)
2
Maintain remission
(prevent symptom flare-ups)
3
Control inflammation
Making sure that you and your doctor are setting clear treatment goals is key to helping you get your Crohn’s controlled. Keep in mind that there’s no standard treatment that will work for all patients. Every person with Crohn’s has a different situation, and their treatment should be followed for their unique circumstances.
Individual factors that help you and your doctor determine a treatment approach include:
Disease severity
Location of the disease
in your body
Past responses
to medication
Side effects of medication
Comorbidities
(other diseases or medical
conditions you have)
Partner With Your Doctor to Know the Severity of Your Crohn’s
It's important for you and your doctor to understand how severe your symptoms are. Beyond that, tests and procedures may be done to evaluate your disease activity and get an even better understanding of what’s really happening inside your body—and the inflammation that’s occurring—getting you to the treatment plan that’s right for you.
What Are the Prescription Medications for Crohn’s?
Medication for Crohn’s is designed to suppress your immune system’s abnormal inflammatory response—which is causing symptoms. When inflammation is suppressed, it offers relief from common symptoms (like fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain).
There are 5 main categories of medications used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s.
These drugs, given orally or rectally, are anti-inflammatory compounds that contain 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). They decrease inflammation at the wall of the intestine and are used primarily to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and may not be as effective when treating Crohn’s disease. Examples of 5-ASAs include sulfasalazine, balsalazide, mesalamine, and olsalazine.
What Are Non-prescription Medications for Crohn’s?
Aside from controlling inflammation, there are over-the-counter or non-prescription medications that can help relieve symptoms. Remember to always talk to your doctor before taking any of these medications, but know that depending on your disease severity, your doctor might recommend one or more of these:
- Antidiarrheals
- Pain Relievers
- Supplements, like:
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
- Calcium and Vitamin D
Gastroenterologist Dr. Millie Long Talks Treatment
Dr. Long discusses treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s or UC—and the importance of setting treatment goals.
Dr. Long discusses treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—like Crohn’s or UC—and the importance of setting treatment goals.
When Is Surgery for Crohn’s Necessary?
Medication is often the first treatment option. But there are cases when people with Crohn’s might require surgery. Depending on the location of the disease in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and complications that occur, there are different types of surgery that could be needed.
When a stricture (a narrowed section of intestine due to chronic inflammation that causes the walls of the GI tract to thicken or form scar tissue) is present, it can lead to intestinal blockage. This surgical procedure repairs the stricture by widening the narrowed section without removing any part of the intestine.
Be a Proactive Patient and Partner With Your Doctor
First and foremost, know that you and your doctor have the power to find the right treatment plan for you. While dealing with Crohn’s can definitely be difficult at times, never give up hope. And when it comes to your treatment plan, always keep the conversations open and honest with your care team.
