Crohn's Disease Treatment

Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. The right treatment for Crohn's disease can lessen symptoms, though there is not yet a cure.

Crohn's Disease Causes

The cause of Crohn's is not known. However, most experts agree that the patient's genetics, environment and immune system are factors in the development of this disease that affects more than 700,000 people in the United States.

Unlike ulcerative colitis, another form of IBD that only affects the colon, Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or anus. The most common area affected is the part of the small intestine called the ileum.

The inflammation usually occurs in segments with healthy segments of bowel between inflamed segments.

Schedule An Appointment

At the University of Maryland Medical Center, our IBD team includes gastroenterologists who specialize in IBD. Call 410-706-3387 to schedule an appointment at the UM Digestive Health Center.

Our IBD specialists are actively involved in clinical research to understand the cause of Crohn's disease, develop new treatments and/or cure it.

Crohn's Disease Diagnosis

Many different tests are used to diagnosis patients with Crohn's disease. Patients are given a complete history and physical exam. Tests that may be given include blood tests, stool tests, CT or MRI scans, and colonoscopy with biopsy.

A standard colonoscopy looks for ulcers or inflammation in the intestine. At UMMC, our specialists can also use capsule endoscopy, a wireless camera in the form of a capsule that is swallowed, to diagnose or check the progression of Crohn's.

Crohn's Disease Symptoms

Patients typically have periods of active symptoms, called flares, followed by symptom-free periods, called remission. People may find that flares are triggered by stress or certain foods.

Symptoms include:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Frequent bowel movements
Bloody stools
Fistulas (tunnels from the bowel to skin surfaces)
Visual problems (blurred vision, red eyes or painful vision)
Joint pain or swelling
Skin rashes
Liver problems
Fatigue
Weight loss
Loss of appetite

There is no cure for Crohn's disease at this time. However, treatment helps to eliminate or reduce symptoms, prevent flares and decrease complications of the disease.

Crohn's Drug Therapy

Current therapies to treat patients with Crohn's disease include aminosalicylates, steroids, immunosuppressants and biological therapy (medications that block specific inflammatory molecules important in Crohn's disease).

Although medical treatment can be effective in controlling the symptoms, patients must take medications even when in remission to prevent the symptoms from returning.

For some of these drugs, treatments are available in pill form, enemas, injections under the skin and intravenous infusions. At UM Digestive Health Center, our infusion center provides a relaxing environment for patients to receive a carefully monitored medication infusion.

Surgery

IBD surgery to remove the inflamed part of the intestine is an important part of IBD therapy. Although surgery usually relieves symptoms of Crohn's disease, it does not offer a cure.

One-third of patients require repeat operations without medical therapy. There have been many advances in surgery for Crohn's disease. One is the use of bowel-saving techniques to repair diseased segments instead of removing them.

IBD Nutrition Counseling

Changing your diet, especially during flares, may ease your symptoms. It will not reduce inflammation, nor will it lower your risk for complications. However, dietary changes may make you feel better.

Our dietitian works alongside our physicians to develop nutrition therapy plans and provide individualized nutrition counseling and education to patients.

Nutrition services offered through the IBD Program include:

Assessing patient's nutritional status
Monitoring weight changes
Answering patient's nutrition questions
Providing education on diets such as low fiber-low residual, high fiber, foods high in calcium and vitamin D, oral rehydration therapy, anti-reflux diet, ostomy diets and weight loss/weight gain

In addition, we also implement enteral (tube feeds) and parenteral (TPN or intravenous) nutrition when indicated.