Crones Disease: Avoid Side Effects Of Your Medicines

Medicaments for Crones Disease have strong side effects. Some even actually worsen the underlying cause, and you have to take more and stronger medicines to stay ahead of the worsening symptoms. If we approach the illnes from a totally different angle, possibilities suddenly arise in unexpected ways.

Medicines are used to control the symptoms of Crones Disease. Whilst many of them actually will improve the situation in the short run, they have sometimes severe side effects, especially when used over a longer period of time. Medicines which are used to control the symptoms are, amongst others, aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunomodulators (to calm the immune system), and biologic therapies for moderate or severe Crones disease.

Allopathic (mainstream) doctors rely on these medicines to control the symptoms of Crones disease although they know that none of these medicines will actually cure the underlying cause. If we read about the side effects these medicines have, we might want to give the whole matter another thought: Diarrhea Headache, dizziness Increased risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract Indigestion, nausea, gas Hair loss Rash Decrease in white blood cells High blood pressure Mood swings, psychosis, insomnia Weight gain, moon facies Acne, increased facial hair, stretch marks Increased risk of infection Osteoporosis Vomiting Cough Sinus infections Sore throat

Some of the therapies have other drawbacks as well. Biologic therapies need frequent injections, and other medicines have a better effect when taken as an enema or a suppository. Not very pleasant if done frequently.

I want to make a special note on corticosteroids. Some corticosteroids can also be given intravenously. Corticosteroids can have severe side effects, like an increased risk of infection, so even the mainstream doctors will hesitate to prescribe them for a longer period of time. If you want to stop taking corticosteroids, make sure you taper off them gradually. Stopping them suddenly can worsen side effects.

Antibiotics are known to be bad for you intestines. Even my vet prescribes probiotics to my dog if she has to take antibiotics to maintain the level of good bacteria in the gut as high as possible. If you take antibiotics over a longer period of time, or you take antibiotics with regular intervals, your natural bacteria level in your gut will be very low; good bacteria and bad bacteria. If you have a low level of good bacteria, your gut is missing it's natural shield against attacks of bad bacteria, and the question is if this actually is not worsening the overall situation.

Some researchers believe that Crones Disease is caused by an over reactive immune system. When the other medicines do not work to control the swelling, they will try to use immunomodulators which diminish the immune response. Also patients with fistulas will be treated with these medicines, often in combination with corticosteroids. Because of their effect on the immune system, these medicines tend to increase the danger of other infections or other illnesses. The effect on bone marrow, liver and kidneys has to be monitored, because of likely side effects.

Biologic Therapies are the newest, and most expensive type of Crones disease treatment. "These Crones disease treatments are used to treat moderate to severe cases that haven't responded to other treatments. They can be used for initial treatment and then to maintain remission. Biologic therapies are powerful drugs and they do have side effects. Because they suppress the immune response, biologic therapies can leave you at risk for infections. There is some evidence that they increase the risk of conditions like blood infections, tuberculosis, and lymphoma. These risks are generally considered small, but you should talk with your doctor about pros and cons. Biologic therapies are not right for everyone." (source: http://www.webmd.com)

Often Crones Disease will cause diarrhea, and you will have to take medicines to compensate for the fluid loss and to stop the diarrhea. Some of the mentioned medicines can interact with common drugs like birth control pills, antacids, and even vitamins.

To recap: Treating Crones Disease with medicines will not cure the condition, and on the long run even probably make it worse. If we have a way to boost our immune system and improve the balance of bacteria in our gut, we will feel better and the symptoms will start to subside. Medicines will be necessary in a lesser amount, and as a result the side effects will also be less. our overall condition will improve, and eventually the new approach could substitute the treatment using the mentioned medicines.