IBD Treatment Options for Long-Term Symptom Relief

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has come a long way, especially over the last 20 years. Today’s therapies offer better control of symptoms and the potential for longer periods of remission.

However, finding the right treatment can take time. What works for you may not work for someone else. You might need a combination of approaches. And treatment isn’t one-and-done—you and your care team will need to adjust as your needs change.

We’re here to help. This article provides an overview of IBD treatment options, plus helpful links to additional information and resources.

Understanding IBD and its treatment goals

IBD is an umbrella term for disorders that cause long-term inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Nearly one in 100 people in the U.S. has IBD.

IBD treatment goals

The goals of IBD treatment are to help you:

· Achieve and maintain remission.

· Support your mental and emotional well-being.

· Reduce or prevent symptoms, including flare-ups.

· Promote healing in your GI tract.

IBD medicines

Medicines for IBD fall into six drug classes. Some drugs are used for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, while others work for both.

• Aminosalicylates are often the first line of treatment, especially for ulcerative colitis. They help reduce inflammation in the GI tract.
• Antibiotics treat infections that can occur in people with IBD.
• Biologics/biosimilars target specific molecules involved in the immune system to reduce inflammation.
• Corticosteroids offer short-term relief from symptoms by reducing inflammation.
• Immunomodulators calm your immune system response.

• Targeted synthetic small molecules target parts of the immune system that play a role in inflammation in the intestine and other organs. 

   

The Foundation’s IBD Medication Guide offers a detailed guide to all IBD medicines that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

When surgery is an option

For some people, surgery can help when symptoms no longer respond to medical treatment.

• While medication is often the first treatment option, many people with Crohn’s disease eventually require surgery. Some people choose to have surgery to improve their quality of life. For others, surgery is necessary due to medical complications. Surgery involves removing the damaged portion of the bowel and connecting the two healthy ends. Afterward, symptoms can disappear for many years. But they often return later in life.
• For people with ulcerative colitis, surgery typically involves removing the entire colon and rectum, which can eliminate ulcerative colitis.

Visit our video library to learn more about IBD surgery.

Non-medical ways to manage IBD

Several non-medical strategies can help manage IBD and improve your quality of life.

Diet and nutrition considerations

Living with IBD requires being mindful of your diet. While food doesn’t cause IBD, certain foods can aggravate symptoms during flare-ups. Nourishing, easy-to-digest meals can support healing and improve your overall health. The most effective way to maintain proper nutrition is to collaborate with your gastroenterologist and dietitian, choose nutritious foods, know what may aggravate your symptoms, and make modifications as needed so that you can still enjoy your meals (such as purees, blending, peeling, etc.).  

Nutritional support therapy can minimize discomfort, replace lost nutrients, and help your body heal.

Some research studies have shown that certain diets like the Mediterranean-style diet and Specific Carbohydrate Diet can help with IBD symptoms. Our online Gut Friendly Recipes finder offers dietitian-approved recipes for people with digestive issues, including IBD. The site allows you to filter and select recipes for multiple diet types, including the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet, low FODMAP, Mediterranean-style diet, and Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

Stress and mental health supports for people coping with IBD

Living with IBD can take a toll on your mental health. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common, and they can worsen symptoms or even trigger flare-ups. This is linked to the brain-gut axis, the two-way communication system between the central nervous system and GI tract. When the brain experiences stress, it can send signals that disrupt gut function. This, in turn, can affect mood and mental health. 

Because of this connection, many treatment plans for IBD include emotional support. This can include counseling, stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, and peer support.

Complementary medicine therapies

Some people with IBD benefit from complementary medicine therapies, including:

• Acupuncture
• Mind-body therapies
• Vitamins, minerals, and supplements
• Probiotics and microorganisms
• Yoga and meditation

These therapies will not cure IBD, and they don’t replace the need for medicine or surgery. But when used together with traditional treatments, they may improve your symptoms and overall sense of well-being.

IBD treatments start as clinical trials

Researchers continue to better understand IBD and find more effective treatments. Clinical research studies help. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s Clinical Trials Community offers resources to help you understand clinical trials, make informed decisions, and find clinical trials.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with IBD or have lived with the condition for decades, remember, keep in mind that options are available to you. And with the support of your friends and family, and resources from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, you are not alone.