Management of Crohn's disease

Management of Crohn's disease involves first treating the acute symptoms of the disease, then maintaining remission. Since Crohn's can affect the digestive system at any point from the mouth to the anus, it can cause a wide variety of symptoms including: abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, and weight loss. Severe cases can cause chronic pain, bowel obstructions, and malnutrition.

Initial treatment

Initial treatment of Crohn's disease involves the use of medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are commonly used, as are immunomodulators such as azathioprine. In severe cases, biologic therapy may be used. This can include drugs such as infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol.

Maintenance therapy

Once the acute symptoms have been treated, the goal is to maintain remission. This typically involves the continued use of medications, as well as lifestyle changes. Dietary modifications can be helpful, as can smoking cessation. Regular exercise and adequate sleep can also contribute to maintaining remission.

Surgery

In some cases, when medication and lifestyle changes are not enough to manage the symptoms of Crohn's, surgery may be necessary. This can involve removing a portion of the digestive tract, or creating a stoma for waste to bypass an inflamed area.

Complications

Crohn's disease can lead to a number of complications, including intestinal obstruction, fistulas, and malnutrition. It can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

See also

• Crohn's disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Management of Crohn's disease

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  Resected ileum from a Crohn's disease patient
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  Trichuris trichiura egg