Crohn's disease is a chronic condition affecting the digestive tract. People living with this disorder experience attacks when their symptoms are acute. Crohn's remission does occur, and medications can be used to control the symptoms. The patient can also go into remission from symptoms through diet and other lifestyle changes.
This disease is most often diagnosed in patients between the age of 20-40, but children and older adults can also develop symptoms. Signs of Crohn's include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms of this inflammatory bowel disease include fatigue and weight loss. Patients also complain about having a poor appetite.
Once the patient has experienced an attack and has undergone a throughout medical examination and testing to confirm the diagnosis, the process of finding a treatment to move the individual toward Crohn's remission can begin. Tests to diagnose Crohn's disease may include a barium enema, a colonoscopy and a CT scan. A capsule endoscopy, which is a procedure in which the patient swallows a substance containing a tiny camera that takes images as it passes through the digestive tract, may also be ordered.
Medications can help to achieve Crohn's remission. During a flare-up, the doctor's focus will be on prescribing a medicationthat will relieve the inflammation in the bowel. Steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help. Immune system suppressors may also be prescribed, since they reduce inflammation throughout the body. Crohn's disease can also cause anal fissures, which can become infected very easily.
Along with drug therapies, a patient can make lifestyle changes to go into Crohn's remission. A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables with a high antioxidant level, such as blueberries, tomatoes, cherries, and bell peppers, can help to keep the symptoms at bay. Some patients find that eating a high fiber diet aggravates symptoms, and eating cooked fruits and vegetables may help to avoid flare-ups.
Avoiding foods that can cause symptoms to return is another strategy for Crohn's patients. Some people report that eating dairy products or spicy foods make them feel worse. To achieve a long-lasting Crohn's remission, they may need to eliminate these items from their food choices.
Caffeine and alcohol consumption have been linked to Crohn's disease symptoms as well. People who have been diagnosed with this disorder would do well to eliminate both of them from their diet. If cutting them out all at once is challenging, cutting back gradually can help to increase the likelihood that the Crohn's remission will be a long-lasting one.
