Despite having no or few symptoms, you may still need treatment for asymptomatic Crohn’s disease. This is because inflammation may still be present in your gastrointestinal tract.

Asymptomatic or “silent Crohn’s disease” is typically discovered during a colonoscopy or imaging study for another condition.

You may not have symptoms, or you may experience minimal symptoms.

Even without symptoms or only mild symptoms, you may still need treatment to help prevent potential complications and reduce inflammation.

A healthcare professional will consider several factors when determining the best approach, including:

  • disease severity
  • your individual risk factors
  • age of onset
  • any complications you have

Here’s a look at some common treatment options for this condition.

5-Aminosalicylic acid

These are anti-inflammatory medications that treat mild to moderate symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

Examples include:

  • sulfasalazine
  • mesalamine
  • olsalazine
  • balsalazide

They haven’t been approved by the FDA for Crohn’s yet, but they can help decrease inflammation in the GI tract for some people. It’s important to note they may not work as well if your disease is only in the small intestine.

Immunomodulators

These suppress immune system response, but may take a few months to start working. They may be particularly useful if aminosalicylates or corticosteroids haven’t been effective.

  • azathioprine
  • 6-mercaptopurine
  • cyclosporine
  • tacrolimus

These drugs may reduce the need for corticosteroids and help maintain remission.

Anti-TNF therapy​

This is a biologic therapy targeting TNF-alpha, an inflammatory protein. This medication helps reduce inflammation and manage symptoms in people with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.

Examples include:

  • infliximab
  • adalimumab
  • certolizumab

Anti-TNF is a common maintenance treatment, but 40% to 50% of people who respond to this treatment may develop a loss of response or have hypersensitivity reactions within 6 to 12 months.

Antibiotics

If you have a bacterial infection in your gastrointestinal tract, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Symptoms of an infection can include abscesses or fistulas around the vagina or anal canal.

Antibiotic medications include:

  • metronidazole
  • ampicillin
  • ciprofloxacin

Lifestyle strategies

Lifestyle factors may also help reduce disease severity.

These can include:

  • eating a balanced diet
  • staying hydrated
  • getting regular exercise
  • managing stress
  • avoiding known triggers

These strategies can help support overall gut health and potentially reduce the risk of disease flare-ups that may cause damage.

Surgery

If you experience complications, you may need surgery if they do not respond to medication or lifestyle adjustments.

Complications can include:

  • strictures
  • abscesses
  • fistulas

Learn more about surgery for Crohn’s.

Close monitoring is particularly important with asymptomatic Crohn’s.

To monitor disease activity, assess inflammation levels, and detect any potential complications early, doctors may use any of the following:

  • blood tests
  • imaging studies
  • endoscopic evaluations

These methods can help detect inflammation, whether or not you experience symptoms. Your doctor can then adjust your medication as needed and determine the best course of treatment for you.

Remember, the goal of treatment is to prevent disease progression and maintain your quality of life.

Monitoring is key to asymptomatic Crohn’s treatment. Since patients may not experience many symptoms, it’s important to stay proactive and track disease activity.

Medication and lifestyle strategies are also important to prevent disease progression and maintain remission.

Always consult with your healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.