Crohn's Disease: 54 Tips to Help You Manage
With the right treatment, you can manage your Crohn's disease symptoms. These simple tips can help.
Diet and Nutrition for Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's differs from person to person. Your diet needs to be tailored to
suit your specific needs.
- Weather warming up? With Crohn's you're at higher risk for dehydration. Get
plenty of fluids.
- Try keeping a food diary to track which foods trigger your
- Not tolerating fiber well? Some people with Crohn's disease benefit from a
- Do you need supplements? Ask your doctor if you're absorbing enough
calcium, folate, and vitamin B12.
- Taking corticosteroids for Crohn's? There are side effects to watch for.
Talk with your doctor.
Emotionally Coping With Crohn's
- Want to feel more in control? Knowledge is power. Learn as much as you can
- Chronic conditions like Crohn's disease can lead to depression. Reach out
and get help if you need it.
- Is someone you love coping with Crohn's? Lend a hand by lending an ear: Be
a good listener.
- You're not alone with Crohn's disease. Talking with others who share your
condition can help.
- Attending a Crohn's support group? Take your family so they can understand
what you're going through.
- Ask your doctor all about your medication, and do online research. You'll
feel much more in control.
Day-to-Day With Crohn's Disease
- You may benefit from personalized diet tips when you have Crohn's. Talk to
- Trouble remembering your meds? Place your pills beside your
- Inflammation of the small intestine and colon puts you at high risk for
dehydration and diarrhea. You may need more fluids.
- Is swallowing pills a problem? Ask your doctor if you can crush them over
- Don't want people to know you're taking medicine? Carry pills in a mint
- A journal can help you manage Crohn's and remember all the questions you
have for your doctor.
Crohn's, Kids, and Family
- Is your child taking medicine for Crohn's? To help kids remember, place
pills beside their alarm clock.
- Crohn's can occur in anyone, but young adults are most often
- Help your child with Crohn's to become a partner in his or her own health
care; encourage them to ask the doctor questions.
- If your child has Crohn's disease, let him or her decide whether to tell
- It's healthy and safe for kids with Crohn's disease to take part in most
- If your child has Crohn's, let his or her teachers, school administrators,
and school nurse know.
Travel Tips When You Have Crohn's Disease
- When traveling, remember to bring along enough medication to last your
- Leaving home for awhile? Locate a Crohn's specialist in the town you'll be
- Traveling by air? Bring your medications, supplies, and insurance
information in your carry-on bag.
- Avoid problems the day you fly: Maintain a regular diet and medication
schedule before the flight.
- Bring along your gastroenterologist's phone number and your insurance card
when you travel.
- If you have chills, fever, pain, dizziness, or bloody diarrhea while away,
call a doctor immediately.