Treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Sadly there is no cure for IBD and there isn’t one treatment method successful in controlling the symptoms. This means there is a vast array of treatment options available which work to varying levels for different people.


What treatments are available for IBD?

IBD is a very complex disease and the treatment options discussed with you may be very different to someone else with IBD. It could include a combination of both medication and surgery or just medication/surgery. What you are offered will depend on whether you have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or microscopic colitis and what sub-type you have.

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What else can I do to help?

Alongside these medical methods some people have found that making adjustments to their lifestyle have also helped with managing some of the symptoms of their IBD. These include:

Before making any changes to your lifestyle you should discuss them with the medical professional in charge of your IBD care.

Do complementary or other therapies work?

There have been limited studies carried out into the effectiveness of complementary therapies and IBD. Some patients have reported improvements in their condition after using some a complementary therapies. These treatments may have been used alongside their medical treatments. If you are considering trying one of the treatments below you should discuss this with your doctor and remember that some therapies are not regulated.

Alternative treatments include:

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