EATING WELL AND MAKING THE RIGHT FOOD CHOICES
Having Crohn's disease (CD) can usually cause issues when it comes to eating habits. The inflammation of the digestive tract lining and painful symptoms due to CD have long-term consequences and can even cause malnutrition (this is quite common in children who have CD). Unhealthy dietary habits may even worsen symptoms. While a cure-all diet is not available for CD, eating and avoiding some foods may help prevent CD flare-ups.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Lifestyle changes play a significant role in controlling symptoms of CD.
Here are a few key steps one can take to help manage CD:
BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE
- Exercising while one suffers from CD can frequently be challenging. Getting on track with an exercise routine might require some motivation, but all that hard workout is worth the effort
- In CD, where the poor quality of life can trigger frustration, anxiety, or depression, some light exercises can have plenty of benefits
- Along with maintaining a healthy heart and weight, exercise can make one mentally fit and help make one’s mood better
EXERCISE
Some low-impact activities that may help include:
Walking
Swimming
Cycling
Yoga
Elliptical machines
Rowing
Speak with a doctor for guidance on choosing a suitable exercise regime to avoid triggering flare-ups.
WORKING WELL WITH CROHN'S DISEASE
Here are a few tips that may help one deal with any challenges at work gracefully:
TRAVELLING WITH CROHN'S DISEASE
Vacations are meant for rest, relaxation, and enjoyment. But for those living with CD, traveling may bring anxiety, increase stress and worsen symptoms. One must remember that one should try doing activities that make one happy, including traveling. Whether they are one-day trips to a nearby city or short weekend trips, one should not hesitate to travel if they have CD.
Inform the flight attendant about the condition
Carry healthy CD-friendly snacks
Carry an empty water bottle which can be filled after boarding a flight
Pack a carry-on hygeine kit containing baby wipes, shampoo, lotion, a spare pair of extra clothes
Take measures to prevent diarrheal illness
Before going for long trips, talk to the doctor about the medications and precautions that need to be taken
Plan the medicine schedule and pack medicines accordingly
Be mindful of germs and the risk of infections on flights, buses, and trains
Don’t let CD come in between one’s travel plans. If the world is calling to explore, one should be able to do so with confidence and proper planning.
CROHN'S DISEASE AND PREGNANCY
A woman can have a healthy baby even if she has CD.
It is important to follow the doctor's advice and treatment plan meticulously.
If a woman has CD and is planning to conceive, she should consult an obstetrician and a gastroenterologist.
A woman with CD may have the following questions:
Does Crohn's disease affect conception?
The flare-up phase of CD can be tougher than the period of remission if one is trying to conceive.
Preferably, a woman should be in good health and be in remission when she gets pregnant.
Some CD medicines may decrease the sperm count in males; so, a man with CD who is planning a baby
should consult a doctor regarding his CD medications. Certain medications may be harmful to the baby during
pregnancy and even while breastfeeding; hence, those with CD should seek a doctor's advice before planning a baby.
How does Crohn's disease affect pregnancy?
During remission, women with CD can become pregnant as easily as other women without the condition.
CD flare-ups however may be detrimental during the course of pregnancy and can lead to a greater risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, or a low birth-weight baby. It is usually advisable to plan for a pregnancy when the disease is in remission.
Can a woman still have a normal delivery with CD?
Women with CD can have normal pregnancies and deliveries at the same rate as women without Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).