10 Tips For Controlling Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that many people suffer from. In this article, we will share some tips for controlling Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. Medical research suggests that a combination of genetic factors, environmental factors and the immune system contribute to the development of this disease. However, is there anything you can do to control Crohn’s disease?

It is estimated that in America, for example, there are more than 780,000 who suffer from this condition. Furthermore, the number of sufferers has increased at an alarming rate in recent years.

The disease can compromise the health of any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It often triggers inflammation, diarrhea, fatigue and lack of appetite.

10 tips to control Crohn’s disease

The severity of Crohn’s disease can vary from mild to severe, and symptoms can vary from patient to patient. In general, the treatment of this disease usually involves a combination of medicine and lifestyle and dietary changes.

Below we share 10 tips to get control of this disease.

Take the medication your doctor prescribes to control Crohn’s disease

Although the symptoms may be milder, you should not stop taking the medication as prescribed by your doctor, as this may cause relapse and affect the effectiveness of the medication.

The first step in controlling Crohn’s disease is to carefully follow the medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. Even if your symptoms start to get better, you must continue to take your medication to prevent relapse or complications.

2. Do not self-medicate

Self-medication can be counterproductive when dealing with this disease. Precisely because of this, it is very important that you always consult your doctor before taking any kind of new medicine.

Some medications have side effects and can cause adverse reactions when used together.

3. Maintain a healthy and varied diet to control Crohn’s disease.

Maintaining a healthy diet can help the gastrointestinal tract to function better.

An important part of treating Crohn’s disease is controlling your diet. You need to eat healthy and change your diet to prevent or improve the complications that this disease causes.

All in all, it is necessary to include the following nutrients in your diet:

Complex carbohydrates (moderate portions)
Vitamins and minerals
Proteins (lean meat, fish and vegetables)

Furthermore , you should avoid foods that aggravate the inflammation. Some of the foods that should be avoided include saturated fats, red meats, dairy products, deep fried foods, fast foods and sugar.

4. Avoid taking painkillers

Some painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause complications in people suffering from Crohn’s disease. Therefore, it is recommended that they take paracetamol as an alternative, but only if necessary.

No matter what, you should always consult your doctor before taking any medication.

5. Increase your intake of probiotics

Probiotics help restore the intestinal microbiota, which helps relieve some of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

Probiotics can help relieve some of the symptoms of this disease. They are full of good bacteria that help restore the intestinal microbiota. It is precisely because of this that probiotics help to control inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease.

Some foods that contain probiotics are:

Natural yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Pickles
Kombucha-te
Kimchi

Eat prebiotic foods

Increasing your intake of prebiotic foods also helps fight the effects and symptoms of this disease.

Prebiotic foods include bananas, asparagus and leeks. These foods provide nutrients to the healthy bacteria in the gut and promote their growth.

7. Control stress to control Crohn’s disease

A woman controls stress to control Crohn's disease

There is actually a connection between stress and our gut health.

Intestinal problems can worsen during periods of stress. Although it may seem strange, stress actually affects the health of our digestive system. Therefore, it is recommended to practice various relaxation methods, such as yoga, meditation or tai chi .

8. Avoid tobacco

People who smoke have a harder time dealing with Crohn’s disease. The toxic components in tobacco irritate the intestines and increase the chance of the disease flaring up again.

You should seek professional help to quit smoking.

9. Seek help and support

Seek support from both healthcare professionals and friends and family.

Understand that Crohn’s disease can sometimes affect more than just the body. Sometimes it can also cause anxiety and depression.

Precisely because of this, it is recommended that people suffering from this disease seek psychological help and that they have a strong support system of friends, family and others who have gone through similar situations.

10. Know which foods aggravate Crohn’s disease

Although Crohn’s disease is not caused by certain foods, and there is no evidence that it is triggered by certain foods, there are some foods that aggravate the disease and make it more difficult to manage.

If you have trouble controlling Crohn’s disease, it may be best to avoid the following foods:

Processed food and fast food
Refined flour
Fatty dairy products
Unpeeled vegetables
Fruits that are rich in fiber
Sugary drinks and soft drinks

Do you suffer from Crohn’s disease? In that case, it is best to follow these 10 tips to make it easier to control the disease. If you suspect you may have Crohn’s, contact your GP and mention the symptoms you have experienced.