Treating and Living with Crohn's Disease
Updated: Jul 24
Half a million people in the US have Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's disease is a chronic condition that causes severe inflammation and scarring of your digestive tract. Most importantly, a person can develop Crohn's Disease at any age, regardless of their predisposition to it. Most people are diagnosed before the age of 30. However, this does not mean getting it when you're older is impossible.
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Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy when YOU need it mostThe main cause of Crohn's Disease is still a mystery.
While we don't know its leading cause, we know how to treat it. Some of the simplest lifestyle changes can go a long way for those with Crohn's disease. Essential things such as having a diet consisting of little dairy, caffeine, and greasy foods can lead to less digestive tract irritation and prevent some of the more uncomfortable symptoms of Crohn's disease.
Smoking and alcohol are terrible (for lack of a better word) for Crohn's disease and increase the risk of needing emergency surgeries and the frequency of flare-ups. The most beneficial thing you can do is to follow your recommended treatment plan and communicate with your doctor what is and isn't working for you.
Crohn's disease isn't something that can be cured but rather is treated to send the disease into remission and then maintain that remission afterward. However, it is essential to note that remission may not always be achievable, which will then shift the goal to reducing the severity of flare-ups and symptoms. Some standard treatments for Crohn's disease include:
Antibiotics to prevent bowel infection
Antidiarrheal medication to stop diarrhea
Biologic treatments that introduce anti-bodies to fight inflammation
Surgery to correct holes in the intestines
Suppressors to reduce inflammatory responses
Here's a great video, "Treatment of Crohn's Disease - Laura Raffals, M.D. - Mayo Clinic." See how Crohn's disease is treated.
It's entirely possible to live comfortable with Crohn's disease even if remission isn't likely for you.
What are the other risks associated with Crohn's disease?
Crohn's disease can come with many serious risks, including an increased risk of colon cancer, anal fissures, liver disease, arthritis, and other related extra-intestinal diseases.
These risks can be avoided by maintaining a healthy diet and following your doctor's recommended treatment plan. Always consult your doctor if you believe your condition has changed, and regularly get screened every few years for chronic conditions such as colon cancer.
Always consult your doctor if you believe your condition has changed and regularly get screened every few years for chronic conditions such as colon cancer.A healthy outlook on living with Crohn's disease is also significant. Stress can affect flare-ups and lead to discomfort. A positive outlook is good on many levels for everyone and will add value to most people with Crohn's disease who live happy and healthy lives.
Personally
I eat a high-fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
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If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation✴ Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.
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