Crohn's Disease Summary

The treatment for Crohn’s disease does not cure it, but the main goal is to relieve some of the symptoms and control inflammation. Health care providers give the options of surgery and medication. All people suffer differently, so treatment received depends on the severity of the disease and the symptoms (NIH, 2014). For some with the disease, the symptoms are treated solely with medication and surgery can be avoided. But for others, if chronic symptoms are not relieved with the medication prescribed, then surgery is required (FDA consumer, 1999). The area of the intestine or bowel that is involved and the amount of damage determines what is to be done in the procedure (Twedell, 2008). Patients are advised to look at the pros and cons of the surgery, since there is a high rate of problems reoccurring after the procedure even though the goal of surgery is to manage symptoms and decrease complications (Steinhart, 2012). Complications it can treat are abscesses, fistulas, perforations and bowel obstructions.
The factors of a medication not cooperating is if the patient ends up with complications, if the affected area spreads and if the inflammation is not reduced by medication. Many of the medications have side effects, ranging from less serious effects to the more, serious side effects. Some patient’s have no complications with the medication, but another person who uses the same medication may experience complications in a month or a few years. Drug treatment is divided up into four different categories, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, narcotics and pain clinics (Steinhart & Cepo, 2014). Anti inflammatory drugs are the first most commonly prescribed medication, but it is the one that Crohn’s patients should be most concerned about. It can cause flare ups, such as increased diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal