How is Crohn's disease treated?

General: There is no known cure for Crohn's disease. However, many medications, including anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants, may help patients achieve and maintain remissions. Other medications, such as anti-diarrheals and laxatives, as well as lifestyle changes, may help reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease. People with mild symptoms or those who experience periods of remission may not require treatment.

Drink fluids: Individuals with diarrhea should drink plenty of water. Patients may also benefit from drinks that contain electrolytes, such as Gatorade®, Pediatric Electrolyte®, Pedialyte®, or Enfalyte®.

Avoid certain foods: Certain foods, including dairy products, fatty foods, high-fiber foods, or highly seasoned foods, may worsen symptoms of diarrhea. These foods are more difficult than most foods to digest, and they may aggravate the digestive tract. Therefore, these foods should be avoided or limited until the diarrhea has gone away.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl®) or ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), may be prescribed. These medications have been shown to help heal fistulas and abscesses in people with Crohn's disease. These antibiotics may also help reduce harmful bacteria in the intestine and suppress the immune response in the intestines, thereby reducing inflammation. However, it remains unknown exactly how these medications work.

Pain relievers: A qualified healthcare provider may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for mild abdominal pain cause by inflammation. Researchers have found a strong correlation between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Crohn's disease flare-ups (sudden onset of symptoms). Therefore, people with Crohn's disease should avoid NSAIDs, which includes medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve®).

Some Crohn's patients may experience blockages in the intestine that require surgery to remove the blockage. If the intestines have become too narrow, a strictureplasty may be performed to help widen the digestive tract.

You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

From a holistic nutrition perspective, there are many different ways you can treat Crohns Disease.  There are a number of foods that have been linked to triggering Crohn's symptoms, like dairy, eggs, gluten, sugar and caffiene.  Of course, there are other foods that can have a negative effect on the disease, but these are generally the most common foods that can cause an issue.

When treating Crohn's with nutrition, it is very important to screen for food intolerance.  It is also vital to determine if nutritional defificences playa role and what they are.  Finally, one can take natural anti inflammatories, like fish oil or bromelian, both of which have been proven effective in decreasing the frequency or duration of a flare up. 

It should also be noted that people with Crohns tend be very busy, involved, Type A personalities who have the tendancy to skip meals or eat on the run, which are lifestyle factors that nutritional counseling can help with.