Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosed?

Inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed by doing some tests and procedures, as no single test can confirm the condition in every case. Blood tests may check for anaemia, infection and signs of inflammation, while stool tests can look for blood, infection and markers of bowel inflammation such as calprotectin.

A colonoscopy with a biopsy is commonly used to confirm IBD and distinguish it from other forms of intestinal inflammation. Depending on symptoms and the suspected type of IBD, doctors may also recommend flexible sigmoidoscopy, capsule endoscopy, CT scans, MRI, or other imaging tests.

How is Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated Based on Severity?

Inflammatory bowel disease treatment varies based on how severe the condition is and how well the person responds to treatment.

The following table explains commonly used treatment options based on disease severity:

Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Their Treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease treatment varies by type. The table below outlines the treatment options.

Oral Medications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

Oral medicines are an important part of inflammatory bowel disease treatment, with different medicines used to control inflammation, manage active symptoms and maintain remission. The commonly used oral medicines are listed below.

• 5-ASA medicines: Mesalamine, balsalazide and olsalazine help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and are commonly used for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

• Corticosteroids: Prednisone and budesonide may be prescribed to reduce inflammation during active disease. They are generally used for short-term control rather than long-term maintenance.

• Immunomodulators: Medicines like azathioprine and mercaptopurine, which control the immune response, can also maintain remission for certain patients.

• Small-molecule medicines: Oral medicines such as tofacitinib and upadacitinib may be used for certain people with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Ozanimod and etrasimod are also oral options for ulcerative colitis.

Note: Take medicine only as prescribed by a doctor.

Other Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Other treatments may be needed when medicines do not adequately control inflammatory bowel disease or when serious complications develop. These may include:

• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended when medicines do not improve symptoms or when complications such as intestinal obstruction, fistulas, abscesses, severe bleeding or precancerous changes occur.

• Bowel rest: People with Crohn’s disease who are hospitalized with certain complications may need bowel rest. This may involve special liquids, tube feeding, or nutrients given through a vein.

• IV fluids and electrolytes: These may be given in hospital to prevent or treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during severe disease.

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be used when IBD or its complications cause an infection, including infections associated with abscesses or fistulas.

• Blood transfusions: A blood transfusion might be required if there is serious anemia caused by ulcerative colitis

Ayurvedic and Alternative Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Ayurvedic treatments have been studied as complementary options for managing inflammatory bowel disease. Some of them are as follows:

• Curcumin: Helps reduce symptoms such as urgent bowel movements and disease activity in ulcerative colitis.

• Boswellia serrata: May help decrease intestinal inflammation and improve IBD symptoms.

• Triphala: Supports gut health and may help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

• Polyherbal formulations: Help lower bowel frequency, bleeding, urgency, and abdominal pain.

Note: Use Ayurvedic herbs only after discussing them with a doctor, especially when taking medicines for IBD.

Home Care for Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Home care can make it easier for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to keep track of symptoms, take medicines as advised and notice changes early. Some simple measures can help manage IBD at home:

• Take medicines as prescribed and avoid missing doses.

• Attend routine medical appointments and keep your healthcare provider informed about your condition.

• Monitor your symptoms and notice changes in your bowel habits and condition.

• Notice changes in your health and pay attention to symptoms such as increased stool frequency, blood in the stool, or persistent abdominal pain.

• Contact your healthcare provider when symptoms worsen or when you notice signs of a flare-up.

• Report medication side effects to your healthcare provider.

• Adjust your diet when symptoms occur to help reduce discomfort.

• Take supplements when advised as part of managing nutritional needs.

Latest Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in India

Latest treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include advanced medicines and newer approaches to managing severe or difficult-to-treat cases. Biologics and small-molecule medicines include anti-integrin therapies, JAK inhibitors and S1P receptor modulators, which act on specific pathways involved in inflammation. Research is also exploring regenerative therapies and less invasive surgical techniques for IBD.

Another area of study for trying a regenerative approach is stem cell therapy, especially for patients with drug-resistant Crohn's disease. In the case of needing surgery, there are newer minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic resection, robotic surgery, and strictureplasty.

How Long Does Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Take?

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease may take different amounts of time to show a clinical response, depending on the treatment used. The table below outlines the approximate time taken for commonly used treatments to produce a response.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Side Effects

Inflammatory bowel disease treatment side effects depend on the medicine or procedure being used. Some possible effects include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Fatigue

• Stomatitis (mouth sores/inflammation)

• Hair loss

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Infections

• Liver toxicity

• Pancreatitis

• Myelosuppression (reduced bone marrow activity)

• Infusion reactions

• Injection-site reactions

• Skin reactions

• Autoimmune reactions

• Demyelinating disease

• Heart failure

• Malignancy (cancer)

• Headache

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)

• Lung toxicity/lung injury

Note: Patients should take these medicines only as prescribed and report any unusual or severe symptoms to their doctor.

Lifestyle Changes for Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Lifestyle changes may help people with inflammatory bowel disease maintain well-being and improve symptoms. Significant changes in lifestyle are:

• Get adequate sleep and aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night.

• Stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids throughout the day.

• Exercise regularly and include moderate physical activity as tolerated.

• Choose suitable foods and include sources of soluble fiber, such as bananas, oats, carrots, peas, and apples without the skin, as tolerated.

• Manage stress through mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.

• Practice gentle yoga to support relaxation and physical well-being.

• Strengthen your mental health through therapy or support groups when needed.

Triggers that Can Worsen Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Certain foods, habits, and medicines may worsen inflammatory bowel disease symptoms. The list below highlights some of the common triggers.

• Smoking

• Stress

• Milk-based foods

• Greasy foods

• High-fiber foods

• NSAIDs

• Antibiotics

• Alcohol

• Caffeinated drinks

• Carbonated drinks

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Cost

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition that usually requires ongoing treatment and does not currently have a permanent cure. The expense can vary based on the severity of the disease and the type of treatment needed. For mild symptoms, medicines may cost around ₹6,000 to ₹50,000. Patients who require surgery may have to spend approximately ₹6 lakh to ₹20 lakh for the procedure.

Treatment costs do not end with medicines or surgery. Doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and follow-up care can add to the total medical expense.

Note: These are estimated costs. The actual cost may vary depending on the patient's condition, treatment plan, medicines, investigations, hospital, and need for hospitalisation.

Does Health Insurance Cover Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment in India?

Yes, health insurance plans might cover the inflammatory bowel disease treatment costs such as hospitalisation, colonoscopy, and surgeries. It will also cover treatment for complications, such as bowel obstruction.

OPD treatments, medicines, and diagnostic tests for regular consultation may be reimbursed if the OPD benefits are covered under the policy. If the condition is diagnosed in the policyholder at the time of policy buying, it will be considered a pre-existing disease that is covered after the waiting period.

For financial readiness for health issues that may arise, a sum insured between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh, which covers eligible and permissible expenses for IBD treatment and hospitalization, may be adequate for you. The required coverage will differ based on your age, treatment needs, and the probable cost of treatment.