Diagnosis is aided by imaging, endoscopic findings, and biopsies.Since the cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, doctors know no way of preventing it. A variety of treatments is available, depending on the part of the gut affected and the severity of the disease. Some people only need to control symptoms of diarrhea and can take prescribed pills to treat those symptoms. For those with active inflammation, steroids are needed to reduce pain and swelling. Antibiotics are sometimes necessary to treat abscesses, or pockets of infection. Finally, a change in diet may improve the condition. Consult a dietician or clinician for more information.
For some people, surgery is necessary to relieve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. A type of procedure called resection can remove the affected parts of the intestine and reattach the two remaining healthy ends. Doctor can also perform a procedure by which the intestine is surgically widened to relieve the obstruction. Finally, for people who have Crohn’s in their large bowel, surgical removal of the large bowel is an option.
You doctor should counsel you on your treatment options for Crohn’s disease, and inform you about disease management, particularly dietary concerns. Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, may aggravate your symptoms. An elimination diet may be necessary to discover which kinds of foods affect your condition.
