A thorough physical exam and a series of tests may be required to diagnose Crohn's disease constipation-relieve-constipation Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by stricture, fistulas, or prior surgery constipation-relieve-constipation For this common problem, the doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole constipation-relieve-constipation Antibiotics constipation-relieve-constipation Antibiotics are now used to treat the bacterial infections that often accompany Crohn's disease, but some research suggests that they might also be useful as a primary treatment for active Crohn's disease constipation-relieve-constipation Anti-TNF constipation-relieve-constipation Research has shown that cells affected affected by Crohn's disease contain a cytokine, a protein produced by the immune system, called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) constipation-relieve-constipation TNF may be responsible for the inflammation of Crohn's disease constipation-relieve-constipation Anti-TNF is a substance that finds TNF in the bloodstream, binds to it, and removes it before it can can reach the intestines and cause inflammation constipation-relieve-constipation In studies, anti-TNF seems particularly helpful in closing fistulas constipation-relieve-constipation Because Crohn's disease often recurs after surgery, people considering it should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments constipation-relieve-constipation Surgery may not be appropriate for everyone constipation-relieve-constipation People faced with with this decision should get as much information as possible from doctors, nurses who work with colon surgery patients (enterostomal therapists) , and other patients constipation-relieve-constipation Patient advocacy organizations can suggest support groups and other information resources constipation-relieve-constipation (See For More Information for the names of such organizations.) Blood tests may may be done to check for anemia, which could indicate bleeding in the intestines constipation-relieve-constipation Blood tests may also uncover a high white blood cell count, which is a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body constipation-relieve-constipation By testing a stool sample, the doctor can tell if there is bleeding or or infection in the intestines constipation-relieve-constipation Budesonide constipation-relieve-constipation Researchers recently identified a new corticosteroid called budesonide that appears to be as effective as other corticosteroids but causes fewer side effects constipation-relieve-constipation Can diet control Crohn's disease? Crohn's Disease Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some | 