Natural healing or not?

Mr. friend's 18 year niece was just diagnosed with either Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis.  The pathologist says colitis and Dr. says Crohn's.  The Dr. wants to put her on meds for the rest of her life, or possibly steroids.  What are the long term effects of these types of meds (don't have the name of them) or of the steroids.  Can this be healed naturally over time by eating the right foods and taking the right supplements such as a probiotic.  I understand that Crohn's is for life, but can it be managed naturally?  Are there any naturalist out there that could give her some advise?
Thanks.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Though the conditions can be controlled with the right foods and medications, there is no cure yet for these. Each set of anti-inflammatory/ disease modifying medication would have its own side effects, which you could possibly read over the net. Cases are managed on individual basis; while mild ones may do well on diet alone, most people would need medications and there are some that present with frequent flares in-spite of medications. It would be best to discuss the treatment plan in detail with her treating gastroenterologist.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!