Crohn’s disease flare-ups can occur due to internal or external triggers, which vary by person.
Knowing your triggers and working to control them is a key aspect of treating your disease.
It can also help you reduce the impact of flare-ups on your daily life.
Morsa Images / Getty Images
Morsa Images / Getty Images
1.
Stress
Research suggests thatstressand other psychological factors can impact the course of Crohn’s disease.
The vagus nerve connects the brain and gut.
When psychological factors like stress affect your brain, they can also impact your digestive health.
This chronic cycle of stress can make you more sensitive to pain signals from your gut and trigger symptoms.
Medications
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications are linked with the onset of Crohn’s disease flares.
The following medications can contribute to flares in the following ways:
3.
Diet
Research indicates that eating certain foods can trigger symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease.
However, the impact of certain foods differs from person to person.
If you have Crohn’s disease, you must identify which foods trigger symptoms so you can avoid them.
Some common trigger foods and beverages include:
4.
If you have C diff, you need antibiotic therapy to eradicate the bacteria.
Norovirusis another common infection thought to trigger flare-ups in Crohn’s disease.
These environmental irritants include:
7.
Studies show an association between vitamin D deficiency and greater disease activity.
It is also linked with a higher risk of relapse.
Food Additives
Food additives such as aluminum, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and microparticles/nanoparticles.
You may be able to improve symptoms with the following treatment options.
They include:
Aminosalicylates: These drugs contain 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), which helps control inflammation.
They include:
Biologic therapies: These medications neutralize proteins made by your immune system.
They include:
Other medications:
Bowel Rest
Bowel rest may be advised to treat severe flare-ups.
This treatment involves restricting your diet for a few days to several weeks.
During this time, you may be asked to limit your diet to aliquid dietthat contains nutrients.
While several known triggers exist, they can vary from person to person and change over time.
Knowing your triggers can help you work to reduce or avoid them.
Contact your healthcare provider when a flare occurs.
Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best way to manage symptoms for your condition.
2021;10(3):377. doi:10.3390/jcm10030377
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