How to Manage Crohns Disease

Crohn's Disease (also called ileitis or enteritis) is a disorder causing inflammation in any area of the digestive or GI tract but primarily affecting the small intestine resulting in abdominal pain and diarrhea. While there is no cure for Crohn's disease, you can learn to manage the symptoms. Follow these steps to manage Crohn's Disease.

Things You'll Need

• A Good Doctor or Gastroentologist

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Instructions

Managing Crohn's Disease

• 1

  Your doctor will most likely prescribe medicine for you depending on your various symptoms. Common drugs include anti-inflammation drugs, cortisone or steroids, immune system suppressors, Infliximab, antibiotics and anti-diarrheal plus fluid replacements.

• 2

  Your doctor may recommend nutritional supplementation in the form of intravenous fluids. This will happen when you need extra nutrition or when your intestines need to rest.

• 3

  Two thirds of those people with Crohn's Disease will need surgery at some point in their lives. Surgery can be used to relieve symptoms or remove part of the intestine. Many people tend to have more than one surgery as inflammation can return to the intestine next to where the diseased intestine was removed.

• 4

  A crucial component of managing the disease may be developing a specialized diet with your doctor. The diet will take into account which part of your digestive tract is affected as well as the specifics of your disease. Some of the problem causing foods include spicy foods, dairy products plus foods high in fiber or fat. Dehydration is also common among people with Crohn's Disease so you must drink plenty of fluids year round.

• 5

  Finally, the key to managing Crohn's Disease is find a doctor or gastroentologist who you can be honest with and will really take an interest in you. This doctor is someone who you will most likely have a lifetime relationship with so choose wisely.