Try the tips below to manage the most common Crohn’s disease symptoms.
Dehydration
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Avoid dehydration by making sure you’re getting enough fluids. “The best thing people with Crohn’s disease can do is to be able to make lots of clear urine by drinking plenty of fluids,” says Peter Higgins, MD, PhDthe director of the inflammatory bowel disease program at University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor.
Discomfort From Diarrhea
- Use moistened wipes, making sure they’re alcohol free and safe for sensitive skin.
- Avoid using soap in the area until it heals, as soap can be drying.
- Avoid tight clothing and wear breathable cotton underwear.
- Wash around the anus after bowel movements by using a bidet, showering, or using a moistened wipe.
- Talk to your doctor about whether or not you can use an ointment or barrier cream to help ease itching or pain.
Abdominal Pain
- Eat smaller meals, but eat them more often to get enough calories — the healing process increases your body’s energy requirements.
- Eat refined grains like white bread, pasta, and rice, and low-fiber fruits including bananas and cantaloupe.
- Avoid trigger foods, which differ from person to person, but often include high-fiber foods, anything with lactose, fried foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
Nausea
Weight Loss
- Work with a dietitian on an eating plan for when you are in a flare.
- Look for high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods you can tolerate. Consider peanut butter, bananas, white rice, canned fruits, and cooked fish.
- Make sure you’re getting plenty of protein, as your body requires more protein to heal inflamed tissue.
- Keep a food diary or use a smartphone app to keep track of the calories you take in.
- If you don’t eat enough for more than a few days or you experience rapid weight loss, you may require immediate medical attention, so keep your doctor informed.
Fever
Fatigue
Higgins says fatigue should improve if you stay hydratedmanage your diet, and stick to your treatment plan, which should include maintaining adequate iron and B12 levels.
Mouth Sores
Eye Complications
These self-care steps should help you feel more comfortable during a flare of Crohn’s disease symptoms.
