e, but at this time there is no cure. Corticosteroids are used to inhibit the production an action of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, enhance sodium and water absorption, and improve the sense of well being. Corticosteroids may be administered orally, parenterally, or rectally and a daily dose may range from 20-60 mg. Drugs may help abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The drug sulfasalazine often lessens the inflammation, especially in the colon. This drug can be used for as long as needed, and it can be used along with other drugs. Sulfasalizine is not as effective as Corticosteroids for inducing remission in-patients with moderate or severe disease. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, heartburn, diarrhea, and headaches occur in a small percentage of cases. Patients who do not do well on sulfasalazine often do very well on related drugs known as mesalamine or 5-ASA (5- aminosalicylic acid) agents. Mesalamine has been developed to maximize its release at sites of inflammation while limiting its absorption. In the United States, mesalamine is marketed in the form of suppositories and enemas for rectal administration and in oral formulations either with a resin coating that breaks down at a pH of 7 (the approximate pH of the distal ileum and proximal colon) or as a controlled-release preparation encapsulated in ethlcellulose microgranules. A daily dose of up to 4-6 g of sulfasalazine of 4-5 g of mesalamine may be effective. More serious cases may require steroid drugs, antibiotics, or drugs that effect the bodys immune system such as azathioprine per kilogram per day, and 1-1.6mg mercaptopurine per kilogram per day. Both azathioprine and mercaptopurine may cause pancreaitis and bone marrow suppression. The usual goals of therapy are to correct nutritional deficiencies; to control inflammation; and to relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding (Hanauer, 1996, p.341-846).Crohns disease can be helped by surgery, b...
