Description

Who doesn't like milkshakes? But what if you were downing one for each meal, every day? That's sort of how one Chicago teen is coping with a debilitating tummy problem.

Transcript

Female: Practice and practice and practice. Male: I’ve been practicing for four years. Female: For Steve it’s all about discipline and this is what's on the menu for every single meal. Seven days a week, he’s got Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the digestive tract. Half a million others in the U.S. have it too. Meals were followed by stomach pains and vomiting, he was taking standard steroidal treatment until his mom got worried. Mom: All of these drugs that are used for Crohn’s disease have very -- there are bit side effects. Female: She found a treatment used across Europe called internal nutrition, this milk shake is kind of like a nutritional energy drink and it puts Steve’s disease in remission. Steve: Its safer than other most of treatment we have available. Female: Steroids work but they can boost the chances of osteoporosis, high blood pressure and infections. A European study found this liquid diet is just as effective as steroids and has no side effects, but it can cost more than 200 bucks a week and sticking with it is no treat. Male: There's an issue of taste, there's an issue of how the patient tolerates the formula. Steve: Just working out for me pretty good, I drink it, I get the calories and proteins, all set. Female: Steve wants to add solid food soon but he’ll stick to his routine as long as it makes him feel better. KC Taylor reporting.