For those suffering the harsh symptoms of this chronic condition, Crohns Disease medication may be able to help.
There are a number of different types of treatments available to you depending on the nature and severity of your illness.
Following is a breakdown of various Crohns medications:
For mild to moderate cases, there are anti-inflammatory drugs called aminosalicylates that are administered orally. Brand names include Colazal and Pentasa, and they can reduce inflammation in the intestines.
For more severe cases, there is a group of non-specific Crohns Disease medication called corticosteroids which have a general suppression effect on the immune system. These are more powerful than aminosalicylates, and should not be used long term due to possible negative health complications. Prednisone is one of the more popular ones.
Antibiotics and immune modifiers are also widely used Crohns medications, as are biologic therapies such as Remicade administered to patients that have not had success with other medicines, and to treat the development of fistulas.
One of the alternative treatments that is gaining in popularity is fish oil which has been shown in a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition to be effective in treating inflammation in Crohns Disease patients.
This is quite promising for those patients who wish to avoid the potential side effects of prescription medications, or who wish to try a more natural approach to treating Crohns.
One of the best fish oil supplements we have come across is called
Omega 3 DHA Fish Oil which contains the highest levels of the two Omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which were responsible for reducing inflammation in the published study.
There is new Crohns Disease medication on the horizon, as scientists study the effects of new applications to treat the illness.
It is important to check with your physician or other qualified medical professional to which Crohns medication, if any, is right for you. Oftentimes a combination of several drugs is the best treatment option. Natural remedies such as fish oil may also be helpful, but make sure you consult your doctor before using it to treat your condition.
Take a deeper look into medications for Crohns Disease or return to our CDS home page.