This is often the first treatment option. Medications can’t cure the disease, but they can alleviate symptoms and lead to remission. These treatments fall into three general categories:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (given orally, rectally or by IV) are used to calm the inflammations.
• Immune modulators or suppressants (given by mouth or injection) alter the immune system reaction causing the inflammation.
• Biologics (given by IV or injection) are designed to change body chemistry known to promote the development of inflammation.
• Small molecules (given by mouth) decrease inflammation.

Diet is a key element in the management of IBD. It can be a challenge for patients to consume enough calories, protein and nutrients, putting them at risk for malnutrition. Our specialty dietitian will help you build a diet plan that’s best for your current status:

• Flare-ups: A low-fiber diet can be helpful when dealing with stricture or bowel obstruction. Cramping and bowel movements can be reduced by avoiding high-fiber foods such as nuts, seeds, raw fruits and green leafy vegetables.
• Remission through diet: Various diets can help avoid flare-ups. These include the Specific Carbohydrate Diet that eliminates refined and processed foods; the Mediterranean Diet, known for anti-inflammatory effects; and the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet, which relies on fruits, vegetables, meats, complex and simple carbohydrates.
• Symptom management: The Low-FODMAP diet reduces consumption of a group of sugars that are poorly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Gluten-free diet, which avoids a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can also reduce symptoms.

While the goal of every treatment plan is to avoid surgery, there are times when this is the best option. Among the procedures we perform:

• Endoscopic stricturoplasty: Chronic inflammation can cause the walls of the digestive tract to thicken, causing a narrowing (or stricture) in the intestine. Instead of removing the damaged section, the endoscopist cuts the stricture and sews the walls of the intestine back together.
• Endoscopic balloon dilation: A balloon-equipped endoscope is moved through the intestines. Once a narrowed section of the intestines has been located, the balloon is inflated.
• Resection: Diseased sections of the small or large intestine are removed.
• Proctocolectomy: Removal of the colon, rectum and anus.
• Ostomy: Surgeons create an opening in the abdomen that allows waste to leave your body. The procedure is sometimes necessary after removal of large sections of the small or large intestine.
• Fistula repair: Ulcers resulting from inflammation can become severe enough to extend through the entire wall of the intestine. Among the possible solutions are medical plugs to close the opening; cutting the fistula to allow it to heal; and medical glue.
• J-pouch surgery: This is the most common surgical option for ulcerative colitis patients. Surgeons remove the colon and rectum, while creating an internal pouch with the end of the small intestine (the ileum). The procedure allows for normal bowel movements.