Tips for Managing Crohn’s Disease

Nearly 800,000 people in the United States struggle with the flare-ups and uncomfortable symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition. It can be difficult to identify and manage Crohn’s flare-ups, but there are ways you can alleviate symptoms and cope with the effects of your condition. Changes might include dietary and lifestyle shifts, medications, or even surgical intervention.

In Kingwood, Texas, Dr. Ronald Ambe of Texas Surgical Care provides care for patients with Crohn’s Disease, and can provide surgical intervention if your condition becomes too disruptive to your life.

Crohn’s symptoms

Crohn’s can be difficult to manage because everyone’s symptoms are different. Different patients often experience completely different types of flare-ups, and your symptoms might fluctuate over time. Some of the most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:

  • Cramping
  • Bloody stools
  • Needing to use the toilet often
  • A lack of relief after a bowel movement
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • A lack of appetite

More serious symptoms can develop over time, including anemia, inflammation of your joints, and even stomach ulcers that refuse to heal.

Managing Crohn’s flares

There’s no sure way to stop Crohn’s flare-ups, and the occasional flare may be unavoidable. The goal should be to reduce the number of flare-ups you have, and minimize their severity when they occur.

You can manage your Crohn’s symptoms in various ways. Here is a list of things you can try:

Dietary changes

  • Keep a food diary
  • Avoid foods that trigger symptoms
  • Start a list of foods that are “safe” for you to eat
  • Eat small meals multiple times per day, instead of one or two large meals

Medication changes

  • Set alarms to ensure that you take your prescription meds on time
  • Keep extra meds like anti-inflammatories and antispasmodics on hand
  • Avoid aspirin, as it’s been known to worsen inflammation caused by Crohn’s

If your Crohn’s disease is flaring up frequently and resisting other forms of treatment, it might be time to consider surgical options.

Surgical intervention for Crohn’s

Approximately 45% of people with Crohn’s end up getting surgery at some point during their lives. Depending on your specific symptoms and damage done to your gastrointestinal system, Dr. Ambe may need to remove portions of the intestine, clear away scar tissue, repair damage, or treat a severe infection. Surgery can help you manage Crohn’s flare-ups and improve your standard of living.

Are you exhausted from dealing with Crohn’s flares, and ready to discuss surgical options? Give Texas Surgical Care a call at 832-280-6782, or schedule an appointment online with us today.

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