How Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated?
IBD is treated with medicines, changes in diet and lifestyle, and sometimes surgery.
The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent other problems, and prevent
future flare-ups.
A doctor may recommend:
Medicines
Medicines are also used to treat IBD. Anti-inflammatory drugs, including corticosteroids,
may be used to decrease the inflammation caused by IBD.
If your symptoms don't go away after taking anti-inflammatory drugs, your doctor
may prescribe other medicines called immunosuppressants or immunomodulators
to ease the inflammation. Biologic therapy, which is treatment to stop the body from
developing inflammation, may also be used.
Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat bacterial infections associated
with Crohn's disease, and antidiarrheal drugs may be prescribed for someone who has
diarrhea a lot.
Nutrition Therapy
It is important for people with IBD to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of fluids
to replace those lost through diarrhea. They should work with a doctor or a dietitian
to come up with an eating plan that's best for their individual situation and symptoms.
For example, some people are told to cut down on the amount of fiber or dairy products
in their diets, whereas others find that their symptoms improve if they cut back on
foods that are high in fat or sugar. If you've been diagnosed with IBD, your doctor
might ask you to keep a food diary so that you can find out which foods make your
symptoms worse.
If you have trouble maintaining or gaining weight, your doctor may recommend that
you take nutritional supplements or special drinks or shakes that contain needed vitamins,
minerals, and calories.
Some people are placed on an elemental formula and restricted from eating regular
food. It has been found that those who have mild Crohn's disease respond to this type
of treatment because it removes some proteins in the diet that might cause inflammation
of the intestine.
More Sleep and Less Stress
Besides watching the types of foods they eat, people with IBD need to get enough
sleep. It's also helpful to manage stress in a positive way. When you get stressed
out, your intestinal problems can flare. Some people find that learning breathing
and relaxation exercises can help.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery is necessary to control the symptoms of IBD and to remove damaged
sections of the intestines. For people with Crohn's disease, surgery may be needed
more than once because the disease can involve other parts of the intestine over time.
Removal of the large intestine can cure the bowel problems in people with ulcerative
colitis. However, this surgery is usually only done if medicines have failed or if
a person develops a perforation (a hole in the intestine), uncontrollable bleeding,
or has developed intestinal cancer.
Surgery also may be necessary if the bowel becomes blocked.
What Else Should I Know About IBD?
IBD may cause a delay
in puberty or growth problems for some teens with the condition, because it can
interfere with a person getting nutrients from the foods he or she eats. Some teens
may need supplements, like calcium
or vitamin D. Someone who's not growing well may need additional
nutrition support.
Looking Ahead
Although it can be challenging to deal with the symptoms of IBD, many people find
that they're able to feel well and have few symptoms for long periods of time. Talk
to your doctor about ways that you can feel better during the times you have flares.
If you feel sad or anxious about your symptoms, it may also help to talk to a therapist
or other mental health professional.
As you get older, you can take on more responsibility for managing
your health care. Getting treatment for IBD, managing your symptoms, and keeping
a positive attitude can help get you back on track.
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation is a good resource for more information and
support.
Date reviewed: October 2017