Treatment for IBD depends on many various factors:
Overall, IBD treatment concept can be represented as a pyramid. This treatment pyramid has been used over the past couple of decades as newer medications for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease has emerged.
Originally, the concept of the pyramid was that as disease becomes more severe, we move up the pyramid to use "stronger" treatments. Although, newer studies have suggested perhaps "stronger" treatments given earlier in the disease course may lead to less bowel damage.
Initially, the aim of the drug treatment will be reduce the inflammation in your gut to give you relief from symptoms, treat an active flare of the disease and induce (bring about) remission which will "GET YOU WELL". This is sometimes called induction therapy.
Once your condition is under control, your doctor will usually continue to prescribe drugs to help maintain remission and prevent a relapse (recurrence of active disease). This is called maintenance therapy. These treatments are meant to be long-term and to be taken even when you do not have any symptoms and are well. These maintenance medications may differ from induction therapies, however, some of the induction medications can be continued long-term and used as maintenance treatment. The aim of these therapies is to "KEEP YOU WELL".
What part of the gut is affected. Certain medications are formulated to release the active drug in different parts of the bowel.
How severe is disease. If mild-to-moderate, you can can treated as an outpatient and "milder" drugs can be considered as the first line of therapy. In a case of severe disease or complications, you might be admitted to the hospital for close observation and management, and "stronger" medications are often used up front.
Lifestyle. If you travel a lot, you might consider drugs which are self-administered instead of those which are given by infusions.
For more information see our Medications, Surgery, Diet, and Ostomy care sections.