Joint pain in the relapse of Crohn’s disease
Patients with Crohn’s disease often suffer from joint pain. These joint pains are caused by inflammation (arthritis) in the area of various joints. An autoimmune component, which also plays a role in rheumatic joint complaints, is discussed in Crohn’s disease.
However, an exact cause of the joint complaints is not known. Different joints can be affected. Often the sacrum (sacroiliitis) is affected.
Complaints of the spinal column are also possible. However, joint complaints can also occur as a side effect of drugs used to treat Crohn’s disease. These include TNF-alpha antibodies.
The occurrence of joint involvement in Crohn’s disease leads to consequences in the therapy of the relapse. The drugs sulfasalazine and methotrexate are suitable for the treatment of arthritis. In addition to physical measures, paracetamol or, in exceptional cases, light opioids can be used to treat pain. One should avoid taking drugs such as ibuprofen or similar without consulting a doctor, as these can worsen the underlying disease. A professional medical consultation is therefore indispensable.
Cortisone therapy for relapsing Crohn’s disease
Steroid therapy represents the central core of the therapy of a relapse in Crohn’s disease. Various glucocorticoids, including cortisone, are used to treat the relapse. During a mild relapse, glucocorticoids such as budesonide can be applied locally as a foam.
In the case of more severe attacks or the occurrence of complaints outside the gastrointestinal tract, the glucocorticoids are administered as tablets. This is known as systemic therapy. In addition to glucocorticoids, other drugs are used in the treatment of acute attacks.
Exactly which drugs are used depends on the symptoms and the individual pattern of Crohn’s disease. There are different dosage forms and types of glucocorticoids.Which drug is ultimately used for an affected person is an individual therapy decision that is made jointly by the doctor and patient.
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