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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffMany people with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis have used some form of complementary or alternative therapy. Some commonly used therapies include:
- Herbal and nutritional supplements
- Probiotics
- Fish oil
- Acupuncture
Side effects and ineffectiveness of conventional therapies are primary reasons for seeking alternative care.
The majority of alternative therapies aren't regulated by the FDA. Manufacturers can claim that their therapies are safe and effective but don't need to prove it. In some cases that means you'll end up paying for products that don't work. For example, studies done on fish oil and on probiotics for the treatment of Crohn's haven't found benefit. What's more, even natural herbs and supplements can have side effects and cause dangerous interactions. Make sure your doctor is aware if you decide to try any herbal supplement.
Some people may find acupuncture or hypnosis helpful for the management of Crohn's, but neither therapy has been well studied for this use.
Unlike probiotics — which are beneficial live bacteria that you consume — prebiotics are natural compounds found in plants, such as artichokes, that help fuel beneficial intestinal bacteria. An initial study on prebiotics had promising results. More studies are under way.
- Crohn's disease: Clinical features. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Saunders Elsevier; Philadelphia, Pa.: 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144932667-3/0/1389/810.html?tocnode=51643270&fromURL=810.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50113-X--cesec14_5163. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Crohn's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Crohn's disease. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec02/ch018/ch018b.html. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Peppercorn MA. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis and natural history of Crohn's disease in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 16, 2009.
- Living with Crohn's disease. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/crohns2005.pdf. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Werman HA, et al. Ileitis, colitis, and diverticulitis. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=592744. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Learning about Crohn's disease. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=25521854. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144932667-4/854785995/1621/261.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50133-3--cesec17_2085. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Accutane (prescribing information). Nutley, N.J.: Roche. 2008. http://www.rocheusa.com/products/accutane/pi.pdf. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Draganov PV. Colorectal cancer surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease: The search continues. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2009;15:61.
- Ingle SB, et al. The natural history of perianal Crohn's disease. Digestive and Liver Disease. 2007; 39:963.
- Piton G, et al. Big risk, small risk: Small bowel cancer in Crohn's disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. In press. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Crohn's disease: Treatment. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144932667-3/0/1389/813.html?tocnode=51643292&fromURL=813.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50113-X--cesec36_5185. Accessed June 21, 2009.
- Rutgeerts P, et al. Biological therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology. 2009;136:1182.
- FDA approves new treatment for Crohn's disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- FDA approves Cimzia to treat Crohn's disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- FDA approves Tysabri to treat moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease: Drug currently approved for use in treating some forms of multiple sclerosis. Accessed June 23, 2004.
- Diet and nutrition. Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. http://www.ccfa.org/info/diet. Accessed June 23, 2009.
- Markowitz J, et al. Patterns of complementary and alternative medicine use in a population of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2004;10:599.
- Enck P. Acupuncture treatment in gastrointestinal diseases: A systematic review. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2007;13:3417.
- Korzenik JR. Investigational therapies in the medical management of Crohn's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 16, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Jacksonville, Fla. July 9, 2009.
- Follow-up to the June 4, 2008, early communication about the ongoing safety review of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers (marketed as Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Cimzia and Simponi). Food and Drug Administration. Accesed August 4, 2009.
