Treatments
From Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Contents |
[edit] Treatments
Currently there are no cures for inflammatory bowel disease, as it stands all that exists are treatments for the symptoms.
[edit] Steroids
There are several ways in which IBD can be treated. Each with their own drawbacks and benefits. One of the most common treatments comes in the form of steroids. Although steroids for the most part are viewed in a negative light in the public eye, it does have its benefits in dealing with inflammatory bowel disease. Its usefulness primarily comes to play in the respect that it suppresses the immune system. By doing so it lowers the severity of flare ups because there are fewer white blood cells to do damage. The drawbacks of using steroids are however great. They cause massive weight gain, as well as "roid rage"; they also over long periods of time can wear on the joints in the body.
[edit] Avoidance of GI Tract
At certain points ulcers may completely wear through the intestinal lining, thus making the food processing function of the body completely null and void. However nutrients are still required to continue living, so under extreme circumstances a doctor my pull a patient off food entirely and provide them with nutrients intravenously.
[edit] Dietary Restrictions
Certain foods can also cause complications during flare-ups for patients, so at times they may be required to alter their diet going on a strictly clear liquids diet in extreme circumstances.
[edit] Remicade
Remicade is an intravenously applied drug that is primarily used for people with arthritis, however for one reason or another it has been pinpointed as a major flare up supressant. the treatment is given once every few years and has been found to greatly reduce the amount, as well as severity of flareups during this time.
[edit] Nicotine
Another venue for treatment actually comes in the form of nicotine. Interestingly enough I personally have heard two accounts verifying that while using cigarettes, flare ups stopped completely. And when they quit smoking the flare ups started yet again. I have not found any research to corroborate this; however I have heard these two accounts both with parallel details.
[edit] Surgery
When the disease has really taken hold, there are often times few options, but one of these last ditch efforts comes in the form of surgery. Often time’s surgery is required to mend fistulas, or to repair the intestinal tract after ulcers have taken their toll. In cases in which toxic megacolon occurs, sometimes the entire colon must be removed. In this circumstance, there are two options, an ostomy, where the small intestine is connected directly to a bag on the exterior of the body, and a J-pouch, which sews together large amounts of small intestine to create an internal reservoir. Retrieved from "http://ibd.wikia.com/wiki/Inflammatory_Bowel_Disease:About"
Retrieved from "http://ibd.wikia.com/wiki/Inflammatory_Bowel_Disease:About"
