Can my Crohn's disease be healed?
Unfortunately, so far there is no cure for Crohn's disease. The purpose of drug treatment is to stop acute episodes when they occur and to prolong periods of remission. Research into the role of the body's own immune system in relation to environmental factors like intestinal bacteria, diets etc may one day lead to a cure.

What medical treatment is available?
The medications used in Crohn's disease are available in different forms, including injections, tablets, capsules, liquid and foam enemas and suppositories.

Corticosteroids: They are used to treat flare-ups. If you are taking steroids you should never stop their use abruptly. The dose should always be reduced gradually, under the supervision of your doctor.

 However long-term use of steroids, particularly in high doses, can cause side-effects, some of which may be serious. Mood depression, increase in weight, high blood pressure, acne, and bone weakening may occur.

Budesonide: The new generation of corticosteroids with fewer steroid side effects, are now available for the management of IBD. Budesonide is useful but still approximately one third of patients experience side effects related to its use.

Sulphasalazine, mesalazine (e.g: Asacol): The value of aminosalicylates in Crohn's disease is less clear than in ulcerative colitis. In many but not all cases they will reduce the frequency of flare-ups. To prevent flare-ups, this medicine should be taken continuously, even when you feel well.

Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, Methotrexate: These medications act in a similar way to steroids. They suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. They do not have the same side effects as steroids, but can damage the body's white blood cells, which combat infection, and make the patient more susceptible to infections. Methotrexate can induce remission in a significant percentage of patients with active CD unresponsive to corticosteroids or Azathioprine / 6-Mercaptopurine.

Cyclosporin has a potential for significant toxicity and is therefore only rarely used to treat select CD patients with severe, acute flares unresponsive to other therapies, and occasionally in the treatment of fistulae, primarily as an intravenous infusion.

Antibiotics: Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin are used in the treatment of mild to moderate Crohn’s disease, particularly in patients with perianal and fistulizing disease or infectious complications. They are occasionally effective for inducing remission, but cannot be given chronically.

Infliximab: Shows quite dramatic effectiveness for CD, especially for severe, treatment resistant, fistulising disease. The long-term efficacy and toxicity are still unknown. There is some evidence that the response rate of CD patients declines as the number of infusions received increases. The use of Infliximab has been associated with infections including tuberculosis, delayed hypersensitivity reactions, neurological events, malignancies, and higher incidence of mortality and hospitalization for worsening of heart failure.

Can surgery help me?
The illness usually responds to treatment with medicines. Occasionally, however, it becomes necessary to remove a piece of bowel affected by Crohns disease. This may be because of severe inflammation or narrowing of the bowel. Your doctor will only recommend surgery if it is really necessary.