If you're one of the unfortunate individuals that
has to deal with Crohn's disease, you understand exactly how life-changing it
can be. Although many of us may try to help the situation by making lifestyle
changes, there may be times when we need to seek out some
Crohn's medication. This
is especially the case if the problem that we are dealing with becomes chronic
as Crohn's is not only an inconvenience, it can be life-threatening in certain
situations.
The most popular type of Crohn's medication that is
prescribed is an anti-inflammatory drug such as prednisone. This stands to
reason because Crohn's is really a disease that causes inflammation in the
lining of the digestive tract. Often, this inflammation can extend beyond the
digestive tract which is one of the reasons that Crohn's disease is such a
serious problem. Although prednisone, a corticosteroid, can work wonders for
Crohn's, the side effects can be equally devastating. If possible, one should
limit both the length and duration of this drug.
Aside from that, a doctor might prescribe an antibiotic or
an immune system suppressor for you as these have been shown to help in many
cases. Of course, immune suppressors have their side effects too. The patient
must be vigilant in making sure his immune system does not become too
compromised from these drugs or a seemingly minor infection could lead to
dangerous consequences.
There are also other types of
Crohn's medication which
can be taken, such as laxatives if you become constipated or antidiarrheal
medication if your Crohn's disease is very active. You might also be able to
take over-the-counter pain medication to help deal with the spasms that are
caused in the lining of your colon and digestive track. Talk to your doctor
about the different types of medication which are available for your specific
problems. He might be able to prescribe a combination of medications that will
help you to effectively deal with the problem.
No matter what medications your doctor prescribes, be an
informed patient by understanding the potential risks involved versus the
potential gain. Crohn's
disease symptoms can usually be controlled with medication.