There is no curative treatment for IBD. The aim of treatment used to be to reduce symptoms but has now moved to trying to achieve mucosal healing.

Early intervention with medication or surgery and intense follow-up monitoring can reduce complications later on in life. The aims of both medical and surgical treatment are to help give patients the best possible quality of life by reducing symptoms and trying to induce and maintain them in remission. If inflammation is chronic and left untreated, it will ultimately lead to much poorer outcomes for patients.

The type of surgery IBD patients have had may impact on their ability to absorb certain medications. Appropriate formulations must be chosen to take into account the length of bowel available for absorption and the patient’s ability to take oral medications. See the BNF for information on stoma care.