Chron’s disease is a commonly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disorder affecting older adults. It mainly results in the swelling of tissues in the digestive tract leading to abdominal pain, fatigue, and diarrhea. Crohn’s most commonly affects the small intestine, but the inflammation can develop anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. There is no cure for this condition, but it is possible to maintain a positive outlook with these tips for nutrition and lifestyle to manage Crohn’s disease.

Tips for managing common symptoms

• Seek out counseling and join support groups to understand the different ways to manage symptoms and disease progression.
• Incorporate daily exercise, yoga, and mindfulness training sessions to overcome physical stress and mental stress.
• Be aware of physical surroundings to locate the nearest restroom in case the flare-ups trigger sudden bowel movements.
• Manage and prioritize all prescriptions suggested for preventive care and symptom management by adhering to a strict schedule.
• Find ways to educate and learn about the disease to manage known symptoms, avoid triggers, and discover alternatives in treatments.

Foods to eat
Changes in daily nutrition are one of the most efficient ways to manage Crohn’s flare-ups.

• Probiotics
  Dairy products like yogurt are rich in excellent probiotics that can help restore gut bacteria necessary for digestion. Kimchi, Miso, Tempeh, and Sauerkraut are also acceptable alternatives to probiotics. However, it is not suggested for those who are already lactose intolerant since the symptoms may flare up due to the body’s inability to digest dairy.
• Low fiber foods
  Bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, and peaches are excellent ripe fruits that are low in fiber and help with digestion. These fruits also help prevent problems like diarrhea linked to Crohn’s flare-ups. In addition, veggies like pumpkin, squash, bell peppers, peeled cucumbers, and other fibrous steamed or baked vegetables can be easily digested due to their high soluble fiber content. After removing the peel, one can add carrots, asparagus, and potatoes to daily meals.
• Refined grains
  Refined grains like white bread, pasta, white rice, plain crackers, and other forms of rice snacks are low in fermentable fiber, allowing the grains to break down easily in the digestive tract. They pass through quickly and lower the risk of inflammation triggered by an overactive gut. Oatmeal can also help lower the risk of diarrhea as it helps absorb excess water from the intestine and slows down digestion.
• Lean proteins and omega 3 rich foods
  Lean meats sourced from chicken and turkey are excellent sources of protein. In addition, including oily fish like salmon, herring, and tuna will supplement the omega-3 requirements. The egg is an all-around option rich in proteins and healthy omega 3s.

Foods to avoid
With inflammatory bowel disorders like Crohn’s, there are a lot of foods that can trigger flareups linked to common symptoms. It is safe to eat in moderation or avoid the following daily foods.

• Avoid whole grains that are slow and difficult to digest.
• Limit the intake of red meats like beef, pork, sausages, and other forms of deli meat since they contain compounds that trigger flareups.
• Limiting certain vegetables and fruits, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes, cherries, plums, and apples, with the skin is also advisable.
• Some dairy products like margarine, butter, full-fat cream, can trigger abdominal bloating and gas problems, so it’s best to switch to alternatives.
• Many caffeinated beverages and flavored drinks can also trigger flareups linked to digestive disorders.
• Also, avoid eating spicy foods such as the capsaicin found in jalapenos and peppers.

Lifestyle changes
The following lifestyle tips can better help manage symptoms and flareups to improve outlook with Crohn’s.

• Effective stress management
  Stress is one of the major triggers of flareups linked to inflammatory bowel disorders. It directly affects the stomach’s ability to process foods and evacuates toxins from the body. Stress management techniques will help improve mood, increase immunity, and help the body release feel-good hormones called endorphins. Simple breathing techniques and even biofeedback therapy can help patients who have Crohn’s overcome stress to better manage symptoms.
• Exercise
  Exercise is one of the most effective lifestyle changes to implement in daily routine. Physical activity helps the body burn more fuel in the form of food and activates better bowel movements. In addition, exercise automatically releases endorphins to counter elevated stress levels. Physical activity will also build muscle and bone strength combined with effective changes in nutrition to help maintain an acceptable body mass index.
• Staying hydrated
  Water helps to replenish what’s lost with diarrhea, one of the main discomforts linked to Crohn’s disease. Along with water, soups, broths, and diluted fruit juices can also help restore natural vitamin and mineral balance to promote healthy digestion and function.

Common treatments suggested for managing Crohn’s
Doctors suggest basic prescriptions to suppress abnormal inflammatory immune system responses to manage and counter Crohn’s flareups. Mild to moderate symptoms can be easily managed with simple changes in daily nutrition and lifestyle habits. Preventive care is one of the recommended treatment options here. However, surgery is the last resort to conserve important portions of the gastrointestinal tract for more severe cases of inflammatory bowel disease. Only a small percentage, about 18% of patients, may require surgery during the first five years of disease management.