How can Crohn's disease be prevented?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is written by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Crohn's disease is an inflammation of the digestive tract. It can happen anywhere, from the mouth to the anus. Health professionals do not know what causes Crohn's disease, who is most susceptible to it, and what to do to prevent it. However, there are still some things you can do to prevent the disease.

1. Follow some dietary rules

A diet plan that works for most people doesn't work for people with Crohn's disease. However, following some general rules of the diet can help most sufferers:
1.1. Avoid foods that used to cause symptoms for you Learn what foods and drinks can make your symptoms worse. This is especially true when you are in a flare-up. Avoiding foods that have caused you trouble in the past can be helpful in reducing future symptoms.
Not sure what foods are contributing to your symptoms? Keep a food diary and keep track of what you're eating and how you feel with each food. And see if removing that food from your diet reduces your symptoms. You should be able to identify troublesome foods with this method. Eliminate those foods from your diet. If your symptoms subside, then you have found the right foods that are harmful. Some common foods that make symptoms worse include:
Carbohydrates. Dairy products. Foods rich in fiber. Low fiber foods. Many doctors recommend adopting a diet. Specifically, you should eliminate certain foods from your diet and then slowly add them back one at a time to find the cause of your symptoms.
1.2. Limit dairy products Dairy products can worsen symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. This is especially true if you are lactose intolerant, which means your body cannot digest the sugars in milk or lactose completely. Taking an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, can make digestion easier.

1.3. Beware of Fiber Fiber can help some people keep their digestive system in check and functioning. This is especially true if you have chronic diarrhea. Fiber can help add bulk to your stool, increase bowel mobility, and help food pass through the intestines faster. However, if you have any narrowing or restriction in your intestines, high-fiber foods can increase abdominal pain and make Crohn's symptoms worse.
1.4. Drink plenty of water Your intestines need fluids to function properly. If you are dehydrated, your symptoms may increase. Ideally, you should stay away from alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If you drink these beverages, symptoms may increase.

1.5. Consider taking a supplement Because Crohn's can make it difficult to absorb nutrients, it's important to make sure you're getting the right dose of vitamins and nutrients. Most doctors recommend taking a daily multivitamin. If your child is sick, your doctor may recommend that your child take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements to make sure you're taking what's right for you. .
1.6. Learn to manage stress Stress and anxiety can make symptoms of Crohn's disease worse. Stress can also cause flare-ups. As stress levels rise, your body's normal processes can become abnormal. Including your digestive tract. Stress can trigger new symptoms or make existing ones worse. Find a healthy way to handle everyday stress; for example exercise, yoga or talk therapy. This is important to increase remission time and make symptoms go away.
1.7. Lifestyle changes A healthy lifestyle will help you manage Crohn's symptoms. In addition to eating healthy and managing stress, get enough exercise and quit if you smoke.

2. Conclusion

Although experts don't know exactly what causes Crohn's, changes to your diet and lifestyle can help you manage your symptoms and reduce flare-ups. Making some changes to your diet, reducing your stress levels, and getting regular exercise can be the keys to helping you manage Crohn's disease.

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