More than 500,000 Americans have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and most go on to lead active lives, despite suffering with this chronic condition. The most important thing to remember, whether you or someone you love has been diagnosed with the disease, is that there is help and there is hope out there. The most crucial step is to determine begin living with Crohn's disease.
Understanding Your Disease
Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory disease which affects the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, which means that it can affect you from your mouth down to your rectum. It comes under the umbrella term of inflammatory bowel disease (not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome). Generally, the disease specifically affects the lower intestines but it can affect various portions of the bowel and GI tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, loss of appetite and fever. Symptoms may vary in each patient and can be debilitating in some while other patients experience remission, or a long period of time with no symptoms.
Finding The Right Doctor
One of the most crucial steps in regaining control of your illness is to find a doctor (gastroenterologist) who has experience in treating the condition. Seeking treatment for the onset of symptoms (flare-ups) is crucial to managing the illness and, since it is a delicate matter, you will need to have a doctor you can get comfortable with. To find specialists in your area, visit the Crohn's and Colitis website for a comprehensive list of gastroenterologists.
What Role Does Nutrition Play?
Nutrition plays a big part in coping and managing Crohn's disease. However, nutrition has not been proven to cure the disease but may aid you in dealing with your symptoms and promote healing. There is no single diet that works for everyone. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best foods to include or avoid based upon the affected area. Keeping a food diary could help you to determine which foods are troublesome for you and also help your doctor to determine that you are getting enough nutrients. A balanced diet with adequate fluid intake will go a long way to helping to manage symptoms like gas, abdominal pain, increased diarrhea and dehydration. Since many patients' small intestine is affected by the disease, you may be at risk for becoming malnourished. Be sure to discuss your diet with your doctor and/or nutritionist.
When you are in a flare, there are some steps that can be taken to help decrease the intestinal cramping that you may experience after eating. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals; limit greasy or fried foods that may cause diarrhea and gas and limit high-fiber foods like popcorn, nuts, seeds and core since they can cause exacerbation of your symptoms.
Remember that research is ongoing and there are new ideas in nutritional therapy that are emerging. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation cite ongoing research into the benefits of adding flaxseed oil or fish oil as a supplement with anti-inflammatory properties. The fatty acids also have a beneficial affect on the lining of the large intestine, enabling it to heal. Probiotics (like lactobacillus or acidophilus) are the "good" bacteria and seeming help the intestine to recover.
Getting Support
Seeking effective treatment and adopting a healthy lifestyle will help to manage physical symptoms. The emotional ramifications of the disease are equally important. Make sure your friends and family understand your condition. You need their support and the process of this illness will surely affect everyone in your inner circle. Find a support group to join--talking with people who are going through a similar situation can help alleviate much of the shame, anxiety and stress of having Crohn's Disease. There are online groups (check out the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's website) or you could call your local hospital or ask your gastroenterologist where the nearest support group might be meeting.
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