The goals of treatment are to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies, and relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Treatment may include drugs, nutritional supplements, surgery, or a combination of these options. At this time, treatment can help control the disease, but there is no cure. The bacterium, lactobacillus GG, is thought to benefit the human intestine. Doctors give capsules filled with the bacterium to patients with Crohn's to combat their symptoms.
Patients take the pills twice a day.
Doctors believe the bacterium in each pill displaces other less desirable intestinal bacteria thought to cause inflammation and relapse. The study will look at 200 children under the age of 21 for a span of two years. Study participants will either receive pills containing the bacterium or a placebo. Until the results of the study are in, Dr. Bousvaros does not recommend people go to the health food stores and buy good bacteria supplements. Until it's proven whether or not these pills can really benefit Crohn's patients, he cautions against using them.