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Pain Control in Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder of the digestive tract. Individuals with Crohn's disease can experience mild to severe pain. The symptoms include abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, abnormal bowel movement and nausea. It is estimated that 500,000 Americans have this bowel disorder. Of those affected, 62 percent are hospitalized at some point, reports the National Institutes of Health Digestive Diseases. Medical experts do not know what causes Crohn's disease, but they've found some methods for treating symptoms and associated pain.

  1. Exercise

    • One promising study has emerged from Canada. Researchers at the University of Western Ontario compared two groups of Crohn's disease patients. One group exercised for 30 minutes three days a week. The second group made no changes to their lifestyle. After 3 months, both groups filled out questionnaires on their well being and quality of life. The group that exercised saw their scores rise in both areas, while those who were not in the exercise group saw their scores actually worsen in both categories. Even if you do go to the gym and pump iron, additional light aerobic exercises a few days a week may minimize your symptoms.

    Anti-inflammatory Medications

    • Sulfasalazine is the most common anti-inflammatory drug doctors prescribe to treat symptoms of Crohn's disease. This medication targets chemicals in the body, like prostaglandins, that causes inflammation and diarrhea. Other anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for Crohn's include mesalamine and corticosteroids.

    Immune System Suppressors

    • Immune system suppression drugs and anti-inflammatory medications are similar in that they both treat inflammation. Immune system suppressors, however, targets the immune system. The success of these drugs has led scientists to believe that Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disorder. Meaning, the immune system over-reacts to harmless substances and normal tissues and attacks the body. The Mayo Clinic reports that some common immune system suppressors prescribed to treat Crohn's disease include Imuran and Purinethol. For patients whose symptoms do not respond well to other therapies, doctors will try the medication Remicade.

    Antibiotics

    • Antibiotics are prescribed to kill harmful bacteria in the intestines and suppress the immune system. Cipro is the most prescribed antibiotic used to treat patients with Crohn's disease.

    Pain Relievers

    • Additional medications doctors recommend to treat pain include Tylenol and other acetaminophen products. These drugs are often used with anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors and antibiotics. Unlike ibuprofen (like Advil), acetaminophen will not exacerbate symptoms.

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