Unfortunately, no cures for Crohn's disease currently exist. However, there are a number of possible treatments to improve a patient's quality of life. This treatment is designed to reduce symptoms, even encouraging remission, and to maintain remission once it is achieve. If Crohn's disease is present in children, the treatment aims to promote a child's normal and healthy development and growth. Usually, a team of health care professionals will work together to improve the patient's situation.

Reducing the Symptoms:

Crohn's disease can be moderate to severe. As there are no cures for Crohn's disease, management has to be focused specifically on the individual. Usually, this includes medication and, in some people, surgery.

Initial Treatment:

Usually, patients will first be prescribed corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation. Hydrocortisone and prednisol are the most popular drugs. However, these do have significant side effects, including facial swelling, weight gain, osteoporosis and osteopenia, and a compromised immune system. This is why your medication dosage must be monitored closely and reduced whenever possible.

There are alternative medications, including 5-aminosalicylate or budesonine. These medications have far fewer side effects than the stronger steroids. However, their effectiveness is also weaker.

If the patient is a young person or child, concerns about development and growth will also be present. They may, therefore, be placed on liquid diets during the first stages. These are known as polymeric or elemental diets. These can reduce inflammation so that the digestive system can recover, without leaving someone malnourished.

Further Treatement:

If there are two or more flare ups of symptoms in a year, or if they come back once the dosage of steroids is reduced, new treatment will need to be considered. Again, remember that there are no cures for Crohn's disease, so physicians often have to try different things to achieve acceptable results. Usually, immunosuppressants will be prescribed, often in combination with the steroid medication. The most common drugs used in these situations include mercaptopurine and azathioprine.

Unfortunately, some people cannot take immunosuppressants. Hence, a blood test first has to be done in order to make sure you can take them. If these tests are negative, then different medications are available, including methotrexate. All immunosuppressants have significant side effects, including vomiting and nausea, a weakened immune system, anemia that leaves you feeling weak, breathlessnes and fatigue, and pancreatitis and other liver problems. It is vital that regular blood tests are carried out while taking immunosuppressants to make sure you are not becoming ill or developing other serious conditions.

Mercaptopurine and azathioprine have both been approved for women who are pregnant or nursing. Hence, if you are a woman who is trying to start a family, or if you become pregnant and have a child, you do not have to stop taking your medication. However, you do have to speak to your family physician about this.

Methotrexate, on the other hand, cannot be taken for at least six months before you try to conceive. This is because the drug is associated with significant birth defects. Men should also not take this drug when their sexual partner is trying to conceive, as it can also affect sperm quality. The drug should also not be taken by nursing mothers.