A Better Life with Crohns Disease.
Without doubt Crohn’s disease is something that can potentially completely change a life.
The disruption is not just to the body. Crohn’s disease effects the mind and body.
The uncertainty of a flare-up, the pain and protracted discomfort are not all of the physical symptoms you’ll face. But with careful management and a positive outlook you can win back your old life and more.
In this short video Ashley, like me, has found that with the right advice and guide to finding a good colitis diet, the right exercise and the right mind set - anything is possible.
Often however, it’s the awkwardness that a Crohn’s sufferer can feel that regularly makes the condition seem worst than it is.
That’s why it’s so important to change things, discover the most helpful management for your symptoms to give you a better life with Crohns disease.
It’s this that we will be dealing with in this article.
What is Crohns Disease?
Characterized by inflammation of the intestines, Crohn’s Disease can often be confused with colitis symptoms.
Both can result in :-
1. Weight loss,
2. Loss of appetite,
3. Pain,
4. Diarrhea, and
5. Rectal bleeding, are the more common symptoms showing themselves in both conditions.
But don’t be misled. These symptoms are not continuous and whilst some of us may struggle a bit more than others to install a sensible and practical management regime - it can be done.
Making a better life with Crohns disease is not difficult despite symptoms often being periodic. Yes, the severity of the condition will vary from person to person, and the large (and or) small intestines can be affected.
Remember Crohn’s disease symptoms can be treated in a number of different ways, with milder cases often controlled by making dietary changes. Other cases need more intense control and the application of medication, whilst some extreme cases need surgery. But whichever degree of the condition you’ve had diagnosed there is a common thread. Employing a carefully planned and practical management system will give you freedom from the physical and mental pressures of the disease.
It lets you know you control your life.
Gaining an understanding of Chron’s disease has to be your first step. The greater your knowledge the better you are equipped to win through.
Treatment Options
OK, so what can you expect to do?
Firstly, a commitment to major dietary changes is often needed. One of the major problems that accompany this condition is malnutrition. This is because the body is often unable to absorb certain nutrients from the food that is eaten.
Close examination by your physician should expose if you are deficient in any and which nutrients. For this reason, supplements are often necessary in addition to changes in one’s diet.
Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables can introduce more fiber into the system and help combat the inflammation. But try to observe if some items, such as tomato skins, irritate the bowl lining then build that into your dietary program. Each individual will have to experiment with different foods to see which ones relieve the symptoms and which ones aggravate them. Basically, a more natural diet must be put in place.
Another piece of advice that seems to be widely given is to avoid ‘over’ processed foods. In lots of cases it apparently has been recorded as only making the condition worse.
Inevitably harmful toxins can build up in the body, so also important to flush harmful toxins out of the body. This can often be done simply be observing the cardinal rule – ‘drinking plenty of water’. An other way is to build a ‘detox’ activity into your plan. We’ll talk more fully about this in a future article.
Moderate to severe cases of Crohns Disease can often be treated with one of the many anti-inflammatory drugs that are available today. This will be up to you and your doctor to decide. This will ensure that you are not only treating the condition, but that you are also getting the proper nutrition. If this is not done correctly, it could lead to additional, more serious health problems later on. Remember we are all on your side. We are all working toward helping you get a better life with Crohns disease.
and Finally
Although you might not want to in the early days there will come a time when you will want to, and more importantly can, start taking regular exercise. This will have a number of benefits. A healthier body will help strengthen your immune system. A healthier body will help you ward-off those other illnesses and minor hiccups that bug all us. But by then you’ll be in a position whereby your body will be more resilient and as a result more capable.
There was one piece of solid advice I was given that I willingly pass on to you. Do not start taking additional medication or stop your prescribed medication plan without first having a long discussion with your physician. Successful management of your Crohns symptoms and gaining a better life with Crohns disease is about careful and watchful management. Learn and put into place good practices. Life will not turn around over night but in time it will, slowly and surely.
