Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

Self-Care Tips for Managing a Crohn's Disease Flare-Up

Premier Gastroenterology Blog Self-Care Tips for Managing a Crohn's Disease Flare-Up

One of the most challenging aspects of Crohn’s disease is that it’s often unpredictable. Symptoms can strike seemingly out of nowhere, but you can take steps to reduce flare-ups when they occur. 

At Premier Gastroenterology in Brooksville, Florida, gastroenterologist Dr. Rodwan Hiba helps patients with Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases manage their flare-ups and keep their symptoms in check. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate flares when they occur.

Avoid trigger foods

When you’re in the midst of a flare-up, certain foods can worsen symptoms. Food intolerances are highly individual in Crohn's disease. However, some common foods tend to cause problems. 

Foods that are common Crohn’s triggers include:

Keeping a food diary can assist you in establishing links between your food intake and your symptoms. Large meals can also aggravate Crohn's disease symptoms. It’s best to have smaller, more frequent meals when managing flare-ups. 

Check in with your doctor

If you’re experiencing a flare-up, check in with your doctor, who will rule out infection or medications as the cause of your symptoms. Once other issues are ruled out, your gastroenterologist may recommend a corticosteroid treatment course to reduce inflammation and calm the flare.

Flare-ups can also mean that your body's response to your current treatment is changing. Some patients who take medications that help manage Crohn’s disease may stop responding to their treatment. 

A significant flare-up may indicate that these medications are no longer effective. If this is the case, your gastroenterologist can run tests to confirm it and, if necessary, switch you to a different medication.

Simplify your diet

Simplifying your diet during a flare can help ease your symptoms. Sticking to bland foods and clear liquids such as vegetables, lean meats, and broth-based soups can reduce the chances of exacerbating the flare-up. 

Many patients with Crohn’s disease are susceptible to dehydration during a flare, especially because diarrhea is common. In addition to simplifying your diet, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to replace those you’ve lost. If you have diarrhea, it helps to include drinks with electrolytes. However, sugary drinks can aggravate Crohn’s symptoms, so choose beverages that are low in sugar. 

Inform your doctor right away if your diarrhea is severe. Dehydration is the main cause of hospitalization in Crohn's patients. Fluids and other nutrients may need to be administered intravenously to allow your intestines to rest and heal. Bowel rest is typically required only during severe flares that require hospitalization. 

Manage pain

Crohn’s flare-ups can be painful, but before you reach for the ibuprofen bottle, it’s important to know that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can worsen Crohn’s symptoms. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a safer option, but talk to your gastroenterologist about which over-the-counter medications are safe for patients with Crohn’s disease.

Tame stress

Although stress does not cause Crohn's disease, it has a significant impact on IBD symptoms. Many patients with Crohn's disease report that stress can trigger or exacerbate flares. Practicing stress-management and stress-reduction techniques on a regular basis is helpful for managing Crohn’s flares. Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing are beneficial stress-busting activities.

Although inflammatory bowel disease has no cure, the goal of treatment is to assist patients in achieving remission, avoiding relapses, and having the best quality of life possible. Our IBD team believes that continuous treatment is more effective than periodic intervention during flare-ups. 

We collaborate with each patient to develop ongoing, effective treatment plans that improve and maintain overall health and nutrition while relieving the discomfort and stress associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

To learn more about how to best manage Crohn’s flares, call or message our team to schedule a visit with Dr. Hiba. We offer in-person and telehealth visits at our Brooksville, Florida, office. 

You Might Also Enjoy...