Medications the doctor will prescribe deal with the symptoms of Crohn's disease since they cannot provide a cure. Anti- diarrhea l and antispasmodic drugs help take care of the patient's diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Corticosteroids have proven effective for reducing inflammation in active flare-ups and may also be used in smaller doses over the long term to prevent new attacks. But long-term use of steroid medication may produce serious side effects, including in the more extreme instances diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis , and hypertension . Emotional stress appears to play a part in Crohn's disease, and treatment often includes changing the patient's daily routine to reduce stress wherever possible.
Nutrition is also important.
Vitamin supplements and a well-balanced diet are recommended. Unless the patient's small intestine has narrowed due to scarring, the doctor may prescribe fiber supplements. Eventually a surgeon may have to remove the affected part of the small or large intestine because the disease is causing further medical complications. Surgery can produce dramatic improvement, but the results are often temporary. Flare-ups occur in another part of the intestine in over half the patients who have surgery.