How to Escape the Pain of Crohn's

Crohn's disease is an uncomfortable, sometimes painful disease in which the digestive tract becomes inflamed. It is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Common symptoms are abdominal pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, ulcers, bloody stool, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue. There is no cure, but many treatment options are available to help control the symptoms. Patients may even experience remission, a period of time without symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Treat the inflammation. Your doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs such as sulfasalazine. These medications can help in mild to moderate cases. However, they may cause side effects like heartburn, nausea, vomiting and headache. Antibiotics may also help to control the disease and thus help with pain.

• 2

  Ask your doctor before taking over-the-counter pain relievers. NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may actually worsen symptoms. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Try taking acetaminophen instead. Talk to your doctor about the safety of taking acetaminophen on a long-term basis.

• 3

  Keep a food diary to determine if you have any "trigger foods" that may make your flare-ups worse. According to the Mayo Clinic, diet does not cause Crohn's disease, but certain foods may worsen symptoms, including pain. Keep track of whether symptoms worsen after you've eaten certain types of food. Some people find that dairy products, high-fat foods, caffeine and alcohol make them feel worse. Also experiment with eating smaller meals throughout the day, rather than a couple of large meals.

• 4

  Control stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress does not cause the disease but may aggravate symptoms and flare-ups, perhaps because it increases the secretion of acid in the stomach. Exercise can help you cope with stress, as can meditation. Try taking a yoga or tai chi class to help you relax.

• 5

  Discuss surgical options with your doctor if your Crohn's disease is severe and medication does not provide adequate pain relief. One surgical procedure involves removing the part of the intestinal tract that is inflamed. However, there is always the chance that the inflammation will come back. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse stresses that surgery cannot cure Crohn's disease.