“What are the treatment options for Crohn's disease?”
I've been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. What are my treatment options?
2 Answers
There are many treatment options for Crohns disease. This topic is beyond the scope of this forum. You can visit the websites for the AGA and CCF to start to learn about the treatment options.
First of all Im sorry for your new diagnosis. As you may know by now, this is a chronic illness and it will very likely require long term treatment and monitoring. Needless to say, you will need a competent gastroenterologist or Pediatric gastroenterologist (depending on your age group) in order to manage the treatment plan for you. The treatment should be individualized based on your age, severity of disease, presence or risk of complications. In broad terms, the most effective and the safest medications at this time are so called biologics. These are generally given as an injection or an infusion and they are special type of antibodies or little molecules that flip little switches in your immune system and can decrease inflammation. While these medications are very safe and effective, some of them can cary more risks than others and all of them may decrease your immune systems ability to fight certain infections. Unfortunately they are not 100% effective either and sometimes the treatment may have to be changed. Several biologics have been approved so far for Crohns disease and there is continuing research for approval of newer ones. Sometimes if the disease is severe and active at diagnosis, a steroid such as prednisone may be prescribed. Sometimes antibiotics are used if an infection is suspected or diagnosed. Some institutions may offer a diet option, sometimes they may offer other oral medications besides prednisone as treatment options. I hope you have or you will find a doctor you trust and together you will decide on the best treatment for you! *Sebastian Zavoian, MD* Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Office: (317) 338-9450 Fax: (317) 338-9567 sebastian.zavoian@ascension.org [image: Peyton Manning Childrens Hospital] <https://ascension.org>
