How to Manage Crohn's Disease With Diet

Crohn's disease affects the bowel and is primarily marked by inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that may involve all layers of the intestines. The ileum is the most frequently affected area. Diseased bowel may be found between sections of healthy bowel. Patients with Crohn's disease occasionally can benefit from changes in diet. The following steps will describe some of the changes in diet that a health care provider may recommend.

Instructions

• 1

  Replace fluid losses caused by diarrhea. The swelling associated with Crohn's disease can cause the bowels to empty more frequently, resulting in chronic diarrhea. Increasing the water intake may be sufficient and special fluids with electrolytes are also commercially available.

• 2

  Feed patients intravenously. This may need to be done temporarily in a small number of cases where patients need bowel rest, extra nutrition or are unable to absorb enough nutrition from food.

• 3

  Administer high-calorie liquid formulas as recommended. This is sometimes done for children whose growth has been slowed as a result of Crohn's disease.

• 4

  Follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to make the symptoms worse. This is especially important with bowel disease that prevents complete digestion of food. Patients with Crohn's disease should take vitamin supplements only as recommended by their health care provider.

• 5

  Reduce intestinal blockage by avoiding food high in insoluble fiber. Other foods that are difficult to digest include popcorn, nuts, seeds and uncooked vegetables. Alcohol, milk products and spices may cause cramping and diarrhea.