Crohn’s disease treatment
Crohn’s disease has no cure, but a combination of drugs usually alleviates symptoms. As in the case of colitis, 5-ASA agents are frontline therapy, with sulfasalazine being the most popular choice. When Crohn’s flares up, prednisone is commonly used. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as 6-mercaptopurine or the related azathioprine can also be effective. While these drugs do suppress the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation, they also increase the susceptibility to infection. If all these therapies fail to provide relief, infliximab (Remicade) has been approved as an intravenous treatment, This substance partially neutralizes the activity of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is thought to be responsible for the inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s patients sometimes suffer from bacterial overgrowth in the intestine which requires the use of antibiotics.
Surgery is often needed to correct ccmplications, such as an intestinal blockage, perforation, and abscesses. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the diseased section of bowel; unfortunately, this does not prevent recurrences in other portions gf the intestinal tract.
