Treatment Options

Helping Yourself

In some cases, IBD can dramatically affect a person's life and limit activities. However, with proper care, a person may be able to overcome those limits and maintain an active lifestyle. Medications help control and treat IBD. You can help yourself by talking with your doctor and learning how and when to use the available medications.

Other things you can do to help yourself include the following:

1. Monitor and track when your IBD symptoms occur, their degree of severity, and any side effects you have from medications. Discussing these with your doctor helps him or her better tailor a treatment regimen to your needs. Avoid substances that trigger IBD. These can include but are not limited to nicotine, lactose, and fiber. Avoid foods that trigger IBD. Because these vary from person to person, it is important to first identify those foods that trigger symptoms. Some individuals find lactose-containing foods difficult to tolerate. If this is true for you, avoiding dairy products may help you control IBD symptoms. If you need help, a registered dietitian can help you design a healthy diet that is low in lactose.

2. If you have Crohn's disease that specifically affects the small intestine, you may not be able to digest or absorb fat. Instead, fat passes through your intestine, making your diarrhea worse. Foods that may be especially troublesome to digest include butter, margarine, peanut butter, nuts, mayonnaise, avocados, cream, ice cream, fried foods, chocolate, and red meat. Some people find that too much fiber can also worsen symptoms. Experiment with different sources and amounts of fiber to find what works best for you. You may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods, such as raw apples and carrots. There is some evidence that foods high in protein such as lean meats, chicken, fish, and eggs can help control the symptoms of IBD. Most people find that they can tolerate some foods better than others can, so experiment to find what works best for you.

3. Closely monitor your diet to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins necessary to stay healthy. It is critical to maintain nutrition even in the face of acute flare-ups of IBD to prevent further complications. Discuss with your doctor different sources of water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, specifically vitamins B, C, A, D, E, and K. Minerals that we normally get from food include calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, chlorine, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, fluorine, iodine, cobalt, chromium, and selenium. Ask your doctor if you should supplement your diet with any of these substances if you have problems absorbing them from your diet.

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.