What to know about Crohn's disease
The urge the run to the bathroom or double over in pain is never ideal, especially when it occurs daily. Living with Crohn’s disease can affect your daily life, but there are ways to limit the pain and its intensity.
What is Crohn’s disease?
Crohn's disease falls under the umbrella of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It affects the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus, but can affect areas outside, such as your skin, joints or eyes. Crohn’s disease is caused by a dysregulated immune system, causing the intestinal tract to become inflamed.
What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
The symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease vary depending on where the disease is in the body.
Small Intestines
- Obstructive systems (such as difficulty having bowel movements and/or passing gas)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Anemia
Large Intestines (Colon)
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Fecal urgency
Who is affected by Crohn’s disease?
Crohn’s disease can affect anyone, no matter what age. It was thought to only be common in North America and Europe, but this is quickly changing as countries in Asia and South America are seeing an increase in patients being diagnosed.
Can it be treated?
Crohn’s disease can’t be cured, but can be treated and this can potentially make the symptoms go dormant (remission). Medications are the primary method of treatment, but surgery is sometimes needed as well to treat complications of the disease Steroids, such as Prednisone, can be used, but only for a short amount of time. Biologics, such as Remicade, Humira, Entyvio and Stelara are the preferred medications. Changing your diet may also reduce inflammation.
What foods are recommended if you suffer from Crohn’s disease?
Certain foods may be tolerated by one person and not another, largely based on location of the Crohn’s disease for each individual. However, there are certain diets that may help reduce inflammation in patients. The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) eliminates many of the foods found in the American diet. It reduces the amount of simple sugars, dairy, grains and starches you consume. This can be a difficult diet to maintain, as it’s very restrictive. The Mediterranean diet is less restrictive, but may produce the same anti-inflammatory benefits. This diet also eliminates grains and starches, and is a mostly plant-based diet with protein, such as a little meat or fish.
How to prevent flare ups
Avoiding foods that cause inflammation and discomfort is important. Smoking and the use of other tobacco products may also cause inflammation to worsen. If you’re taking medications, it’s important to take them on time and as prescribed. Even when symptoms seem to get better, continue taking the medications. If you take it as needed and not as prescribed, your body may become resistant and they’ll no longer work. If medications don’t seem to work, talk to your doctor. An increased dosage or change in medical therapy may be required.
Anita Afzali is a gastroenterologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the medical director of its OSUWMC IBD Center.
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