1. Manage Your Symptoms With Medication
Reducing the inflammation that is consistent with Crohn's disease can help you live a more normal life. Many people living with this type of inflammatory bowel disease take anti-inflammatory medications in an attempt to allow the bowel to rest. Your doctor may prescribe sulfa drugs or corticosteroids on a short-term basis to see how your body responds or may try a regimen of immune system suppressors to try to push your body into remission. If you have developed fistulas--sections of inflammation that travel through to other organs--or abscesses, talk to your doctor about adding antibiotics to the mix. If one of your main symptoms is diarrhea, an anti-diarrheal drug can help you lead a life away from the restroom.
2. Watch Your Diet
Crohn's disease is not caused by the food you eat, but there are many foods that can make your symptoms worse. Foods that are high in fat, including ice cream, butter, peanut butter, fried foods and red meats, can increase your diarrhea and should be avoided. Don't drink caffeinated beverages or alcoholic drinks that can irritate the lining of your stomach. Limit dairy products if eating them causes distress. Many fresh fruits and vegetables can be difficult for you to digest. Either eliminate these from your diet, or cook produce before eating it in order to aid your digestion. Eating small meals throughout the day can ease your discomfort. Remember to drink plenty of water. Because your disorder may hamper the absorption of certain nutrients, you may become anemic or otherwise malnourished. Taking a multivitamin with iron can help you get the nutrition you need.
3. Manage Your Stress
If you are stressed out and have Crohn's disease, you could have a painful flare-up of symptoms. Try to live as stress-free as possible to avoid this situation. Daily exercise is an effective way to work out your frustrations so that they will not gnaw away at you. Scale back your commitments to only what is absolutely necessary for a certain period of time while your health improves. Set aside some time at the end of the week to read, watch a movie or participate in another hobby you enjoy.
