Most people with Crohn’s disease will find out between the ages of 15 and 25. It’s less common, but older people can also be diagnosed. The problem with Crohn’s is that it’s often only found after a removal process. This chronic disease is different for everyone, and many patients can experience long periods of remission. However, when the disease breaks out, many patients need to know about Crohn’s disease and the treatment options. There are times when things calm down on their own, but more often than not you need to intervene.
Crohn’s symptoms can come and go. There are times when you may need to take medication. These medications are often aimed at reducing the inflammation along the digestive tract that Crohn experiences.
When inflammation is under control, many symptoms can be dramatically reduced. In case of infection, antibiotics are given to get rid of it. Sometimes other medications can help, and there may be times when the doctor will ask a patient for vitamin supplements if food intake and food intake are impaired.
There are special treatment options to relieve diarrhea and cramps. A patient may not get what they need because the intestine is not eating food. Some believe that there are foods that worsen the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, and if these foods are removed from the diet, the patient may feel better. Since nutritional deficiencies are very common in people with Crohn’s disease, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start cutting foods from your diet. They may want to give you supplements to make up for what you may be losing.
There are times when the required treatment is surgical. A doctor will try to avoid surgery by treating a patient with medication and recommending lifestyle changes. However, this will not always be enough.
If cracks form in the intestine, bleeding from the rectum may occur. It might require surgery. Fistulas can form if there is an abscess in the intestine. These are tunnel-shaped openings that protrude into the body to attach to other organs or other parts of the body. These can spread infections, and surgery is often needed to close them and repair the damage done.
Be sure to weigh all the options when talking to your doctor about Crohn’s disease and treatment. There are other ways you can try that might help in the long run, such as stress relief and some herbal remedies.
Open communication is very important and it is also a good idea to feel comfortable with your doctor. You want the freedom to ask questions and talk about Crohn’s disease and the treatments that are best for you in your particular situation. It’s also important to have a doctor you can turn to during times of remission. If you receive adequate care during remission, you can extend the time between relapses.