Living with Crohn’s disease: Holistic tips and advice

[4 MIN READ]

In this article:

• The major difference between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is that it can affect any part of the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis only causes inflammation in the colon.

• Medications can help you keep Crohn’s disease in remission, but so can avoiding the foods that trigger Crohn’s disease symptoms. Your dietitian can help you with that.

• Let your health care team know if you find yourself worrying about your well-being. They can connect you to support groups and other assistance so you can have a better quality of life.

Living with Crohn’s disease: A holistic guide

As modern medicine continues to evolve, researchers find new and more effective ways to treat many kinds of diseases. Crohn’s disease is one of the conditions that has benefitted the most from new treatments in recent years.

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that causes part of the intestine to become red and swollen. It can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. 

Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are considered inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but they are very different from each other. “One of the major differences is that Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, while ulcerative colitis generally causes inflammation only in the colon,” says Matthew Riley, M.D., clinical director of pediatric gastroenterology for the Providence Oregon region. “We know that both conditions are caused by an imbalance in the immune system that operates in the GI tract, but the exact cause remains unknown. Both forms are very treatable for most patients and treatment options have expanded greatly in the past 10-15 years. That said, researchers in the field are still working on finding a cure.” 

Managing Crohn’s disease

The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are belly pain and diarrhea, but other symptoms can include:

• Weight loss
• Lack of energy
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin tags, sores or drainage around the anus

Crohn’s disease can also lead to other problems such as poor growth in children, joint pain, rashes or eye problems.

While there is no cure for the disease, medical treatment can reduce the inflammation that triggers signs and symptoms. The first step is usually starting a regimen of anti-inflammatory drugs. Other drugs that can help include immune system suppressors, biologics and antibiotics.

Diet and nutrition for Crohn’s disease

Aside from medications, one of the biggest natural treatments for controlling Crohn’s disease is making dietary changes.

“If you have areas of the bowel that are narrowed or ‘strictured,’ a diet low in fiber may be recommended,” says Dr. Riley. “There is emerging data that focusing on a diet rich in whole foods and low in highly processed foods may be helpful for maintaining remission and preventing relapses. In addition, certain nutritional therapies have shown promising results in the treatment of Crohn’s disease. These include the Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet and Specific Carbohydrate Diet. These can be used in addition to, or potentially instead of, other medical therapies.” 

Identifying Crohn’s flare-ups and maintaining remission

People with Crohn’s disease may have periods of remission, during which they experience few to no symptoms. A “flare” is the term for when the symptoms return, and a person can often alternate between remission and flares over the course of their lifetime.

“Unfortunately, the reason why some people stop responding to their treatment plan is largely unknown,” says Dr. Riley. “Rest assured that if you are continuing your treatment as directed and symptoms return, it is not your fault! Be sure to notify your Crohn’s health care provider if you think your Crohn’s disease is becoming more active. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and blood in the stool. The sooner you can get evaluated for active disease and consider other treatment options, the better.”

Lifestyle changes for Crohn’s management

Because living with a chronic condition can be challenging, Dr. Riley’s medical advice for people with Crohn’s disease to pay close attention to their overall wellness. 

“Staying hydrated and getting plenty of exercise and restorative sleep can be helpful for many people,” he says. “Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help to avoid feelings of overwhelm that can arise from the need to take daily medications, have frequent blood tests and frequent appointments with your health care team. If you find yourself worrying excessively about your health condition or experiencing anxiety about the possibility of having worse symptoms, let your health care team know. They can help connect you with support groups and/or behavioral health providers who have experience helping folks living with a chronic illness.”

Contributing caregiver

Matthew Riley, M.D., is the clinical director of pediatric gastroenterology for the Providence Oregon region.
 

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Related resources

Help your child control inflammatory bowel disease

Irritable bowels? You’re not alone 

When to see your doctor about lower abdominal pain

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.