January 7, 2008
How To Manage Pain In Crohns Disease
The worst thing the patient has to suffer is the pain in Crohns disease. This pain generally starts in the abdomen but can occur in any part of the body. Those suffering from this disease know how much discomfort this pain causes. Crohns disease is an inflammatory disease, which can occur in any part of the digestive track, though mostly the intestines are affected. The symptoms include rectal bleeding, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. The pain in Crohns disease may also be located in the rectal area and legs.
Most of the patients of this disease suffer from severe pain and cramps in the abdomen which is generally followed by diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Sometimes the patients may suffer from shooting pain in the legs or a dull ache in the lower back. Depending on the Crohns disease type that you are having, the pain in Crohns disease will differ, but the discomfort will be there as the inflammation increases.
Dietary Changes For Managing The Pain:
No medicines can give a permanent relief from the pain you experience. In extreme cases, anti-inflammatory medication or pain relievers are given to control the pain. The better way will be to have a wholesome approach to diet, where you have to watch what you eat and take healthy nutritious food. From person to person, the medication and its effects defer.
Some dietary changes like eating small meals several times a day will help. Sometimes low calorie and high-carb diets also help; it has been shown that this might relieve the symptoms in some people. Foods that should be avoided include alcohol, caffeine, gas producing vegetables, lentils, peppers, onions, carbonated drinks etc. Excess of saturated fats should also be avoided. Choose lean products for protein, not products which contain fat.
Try to include lots of nutrients in your diet in form of folic acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and proteins. An overall controlled but healthy diet will reduce some symptoms of this disease such as digestive problems, gas, bleeding and restlessness. This in turn will get you relief from the pain in Crohns disease.
Lifestyle Changes For Managing The Pain:
Apart from the dietary changes, make changes in your way of life and life’s philosophy too. Try some alternative treatments for the mind and spirit which will make you mentally strong and positive to bear the pain and keep it under check. Learn to meditate, it will provide you with inner peace and strength to face the pain and suffering. Seek comfort from the love and affection of family and friends, remain in company of people who think positively and help you manage your disease better. You can also connect with people suffering from similar kind of pain in Crohns disease, share your thoughts, and discuss possible treatments and outcomes.
The Crohns disease is not fully curable and pain and discomfort is a part of it. In extreme cases, when the pain is not controlled by dietary changes and pain–killers, the only option left is to surgically remove that part of the intestine which is severely damaged. Just remember, if you take your medicines regularly, are cautious of what you eat, try to keep your mind and body in a good shape and make your lifestyle relaxed and healthy, then managing pain in Crohns disease will be a lot easier.






