Inflammatory Bowel Disease
How is it treated?
Because of the aggressive nature of IBD, successful treatment depends on individualizing treatment regimens to fit each person's needs. Treatment typically includes controlling the active inflammation of the disease and maintaining remission through medications. To learn more about the step-wise approach to how medications are used to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, see "Treatment Approaches" below.
For some patients, medications may not adequately control inflammation and therefore surgical treatment will be needed. Surgery sometimes becomes necessary, 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. The approach to surgical treatment in IBD varies, depending on the location and severity of the disease. It must be emphasized that removal of the diseased part of the intestine can cure ulcerative colitis as long as the disease is limited to the colon. However, because Crohn's disease can involve any segment of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, surgical resection typically does not provide a cure.
All people suffering from IBD need nutritional care and individually tailored diets. Controlling diet does not cure IBD, but it can keep patients well nourished and decrease some of the irritation experienced. Often individuals with this disease become malnourished because of poor absorption of nutrients from the GI tract. Furthermore, some foods can worsen the inflammation. Foods that worsen IBD may not be the same for every individual. For more information on foods that may exacerbate symptoms of IBD, see "Helping Yourself" above.
Individuals with IBD should see their doctors on a regular basis for appropriate treatment and monitoring of the disease. Complications from IBD such as fistulas and strictures (narrowing or constriction of part of the GI tract) can be identified through frequent checkups.
After controlling the acute symptoms, IBD may improve, but most individuals will need to remain on medication for continued improvement and prevention of future symptoms. (This continuation of medications for prevention of future symptoms is called the "maintenance period.")
Once symptoms of the disease are controlled, a person may go into remission and not have symptoms of the disease. Length of remission varies from person to person. When attacks occur, it may be necessary to change the prescribed medications depending on whether or not the individual is in the maintenance period.
Drug classes used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease Aminosalicylates Anaerobic Antibiotic Antimetabolites Corticosteroids Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Immunomodulators Quinolones
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How is it treated?
