Minimizing the Impact of Flare-ups
Unfortunately, you need to be prepared for flare–ups if you have Crohn's disease. Flare–ups are when the symptoms of Crohn's disease return
after a period of remission or low disease activity. A flare–up can occur at any time and under any circumstance. Remember, even though some symptoms of Crohn's disease can be minimized during treatment, disease symptoms tend to recur over time. That's why Crohn's disease is known as a chronic (or recurring) disease.
As you learned earlier, the goal of Crohn's disease treatment is to bring the patient to a state of remission where they are in a disease–free or limited–disease state. Minimizing flare–ups means trying to keep you in a state of remission.
Here are some tips to minimize flare-ups:
- Always take your medication(s) as directed by your doctor. Even if you're feeling better. Your risk for a future flare-up is reduced when you take your medication consistently.
- Don't take over–the–counter medications, unless you check with your doctor or pharmacist. Some over–the–counter medications are known to cause ulcerations, or sores in the intestinal tract.
- Don't take antibiotics until you check with your doctor. Some antibiotics can cause the disease to flare up.
- Don't smoke. Smoking can make Crohn's disease more active and can interfere with the remission process. If you have Crohn’s disease surgery, the illness can recur sooner, and often more severely, in smokers than in nonsmokers.
