We Provide Teleheatlh
If you make an appt over the weekend, the office will call you FIRST thing Monday Morning.

Study Finds New Way to Treat Crohn’s Disease

There may be new hope on the horizon for patients suffering from Crohn’s Disease. This chronic condition of the intestinal tract is characterized by severe inflammation and causes diarrhea, abdominal pain and internal bleeding. Many of the medications currently used to treat Crohn’s Disease are associated with serious side effects but a drug called naltrexone may be able to offer help.

The root cause of Crohn’s Disease is as yet unknown, so treating it can be difficult. A double-blind study to judge the effectiveness of naltrexone was recently conducted. This Penn State College of Medicine research study showed that naltrexone reduced patient’s inflammation. Seventy-eight percent showed healing in the lining of the intestines upon biopsy and eighty-eight percent saw a significant decrease in their Crohn’s Disease Activity Index scores.

Further research is already being planned for this drug. The researchers are planning to begin clinical trials to look at the effect of this drug in children with Crohn’s. A patent has already been secured for the use of this drug to treat Crohn’s.

Naltroxone was not originally intended for this use. It first went on the market as a treatment for addiction recovery. Drug addicts and alcoholics were prescribed the drug to help them stay clean. It regulates the body’s opioid system, which regulates pain and cell growth, repair and inflammation. It blocks both the opioid substances introduced into the body and those that the body produces itself.

Researchers believe that the opioid system must be involved in creating or increasing the inflammation caused by this inflammatory bowel disorder. Interrupting the interplay of opioids within the body may help quell this disorder.

If you would like to read more about this advance in treatment, visit the full article.

You Might Also Enjoy...

5 Different Medications for Managing Chronic Pain

5 Different Medications for Managing Chronic Pain

When chronic pain infiltrates every aspect of your life, you may try anything to stop it. Learn about some of the different medications available for chronic pain, how they work, and how they might benefit you.
Understanding Spinal Stenosis: What Your Diagnosis Means

Understanding Spinal Stenosis: What Your Diagnosis Means

Spinal stenosis means there’s narrowing in the spinal canal, the cavity in the spine that contains your spinal cord. If you’re diagnosed with spinal stenosis, you may have concerns. Learn more about this spine condition and how it's treated.
5 Signs Your Neck Pain Needs Medical Care

5 Signs Your Neck Pain Needs Medical Care

Neck pain isn’t always a serious health problem and may go away with at-home care. However, there are times when neck pain is serious and needs medical attention. Learn what signs of neck pain can benefit from a visit to the doctor.
Can Botox Injections Help My Migraines?

Can Botox Injections Help My Migraines?

Research shows that Botox injections reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Can Botox injections help you? Learn more about Botox and how it helps migraines so you can decide.