Immunomodulators can take up to three months to start working, however, so your doctor might recommend a steroid alongside one while you wait for it to take effect. These are most commonly taken as a pill.
Biologics
Biologics are a class of drugs that target the specific proteins in the immune system that are involved with creating inflammation, according to the NIDDK. Biologics are a newer type of medication and are recommended for people with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. Further, there are numerous types of biologics available and they all target different proteins, so if one doesn’t work for you, then there are others you can try. “Generally, biologics are the most effective treatment,” Dr. Higgins says. Some biologics can be self-injected at home, while others are given as an intravenous infusion at an outpatient treatment center.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics, which are usually available in tablet or liquid form, aren’t used to reduce bodily inflammation, but they may be given alongside other medications to help treat or prevent specific complications. For example, Crohn’s disease inflammation can cause pockets of pus called abscesses, and antibiotics can help these heal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Supplements
Malnutrition is a potential side effect of Crohn’s disease and more than half of people with IBD wind up with a nutrient deficiency5, as damage to your digestive tract can impact how well your body absorbs essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, many people with Crohn’s disease may have trouble eating regularly, possibly leading to both unintentional weight loss and nutrient gaps.
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People with Crohn’s disease most commonly deal with low levels of iron, vitamins B1, B6, or B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, folic acid, selenium, or zinc. To diagnose you with a deficiency, your doctor will take a close look at your symptoms and order blood tests to see exactly what you’re not getting enough of and the best way to go about supplementing your diet. For example, iron-deficiency anemia is extremely common in people with Crohn’s disease, so your doctor might suggest an IV iron treatment,6 which can take effect more quickly than iron tablets.
It’s crucial to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, because some oral supplements may irritate your stomach and worsen your symptoms7. Plus, you want to make sure you aren’t getting too much (or not enough) of a particular nutrient.
What is bowel rest treatment?
If your symptoms become especially difficult to manage, you might opt for bowel rest, and it is exactly what it sounds like: letting your bowel rest so that it’s encouraged to heal, according to the NIDDK. “Bowel rest is sometimes recommended for hospitalized individuals with severe Crohn’s disease,” Dr. Lebwohl says.
Typically, bowel rest is done in preparation for surgery, or as a way to reign in severe symptoms when medications aren’t helping. During bowel rest, you will not be able to consume regular foods or drinks in a medically supervised setting—meaning you should never attempt to do this on your own. You’ll receive nutrition one of three ways: by drinking a special liquid, through a feeding tube (enteral nutrition), or through an IV (parenteral nutrition). This can last for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Source: SELF
