Tips to Help You Live Better with Crohn’s

Changing your diet is the first step in defense against your symptoms of Crohn’s disease. But there are additional steps you can take every day to control your symptoms. It decreases your chances of a flare-up. It might surprise you that diet is a huge part of fighting back against Crohn’s. It is not your only defense. Your daily habits, stress levels and lifestyle choices have a big impact on flare-ups. Sometimes a single change can have a major impact. Here are some practical tips to live better with Crohn’s.

1. Ease Belly Cramps

They’re common with a Crohn’s flare, especially right after you eat. It is one of the most uncomfortable parts of Crohn's. You can handle these symptoms by:

Eating small portions of food every 3 to 4 hours. Do not eat large portions of food.
Reduce nuts, seeds, corn, and popcorn. These can cause cramping in some people.
Try some Peppermint oil capsules.

Peppermint oil capsules provide rapid relief from gas and pressure that can cause cramping. Rachel’s Tea carries these peppermint oil capsules on its website. To know more about it, read Peppermint Oil for Bloating and IBS

2. Always Have a “Blowout Kit” Ready

Crohn’s does not have a schedule. So, always be prepared for anything. It is smart to have an emergency kit. It is better to keep emergency kits in a few places. Always keep them in your backpack, purse, locker, desk drawer and car. Make sure you know where the bathrooms are. These things are:

Toilet paper
Wet wipes
Hand sanitizer
Clean underwear
Clean shorts or pants
Freezer bags for dirty clothes

3. Exercise to Support Your Gut and Mood

Not only is a good workout a major mood booster, but some types may also help with your Crohn’s symptoms. Try these:

Swimming: Pain relief
Strength training: Weight gain, better body composition
Aerobic: Better sleep
Strength training: Reduces fatigue and strengthen bones
Always check with your doctor before you start a new fitness plan.

4. Reduce Belly Bloat

Certain foods can cause it or make it worse. Some common culprits and fixes are:

Insoluble fiber: It is found in fruit and veggie skin. Cook or peel your produce.
Lactose: It is a sugar found in dairy products. If dairy bothers you, your doctor can test for lactose intolerance.
Peppermint oil supplements: They provide rapid relief from gas that can cause bloating.

5. Travel Wisely

You’ve booked your vacation and planned your itinerary. You’re almost ready for a great trip. So don’t let Crohn’s or a travel mishap get in your way.

Ask your doctor for the name of a doctor where you’re traveling.
Carry your meds with you on the plane - don’t pack them in a checked bag.
Bring enough to last the whole trip.
Get copies of all prescriptions before you go.
Bring an emergency blowout kit!

6. Manage stress

Managing your stress will manage your symptoms. Stress can trigger flare-ups and make symptoms worse. Managing stress can help not only your symptoms of Crohn’s, but also every aspect of your life.

Start with the basics:

Get enough sleep
Stay active with gentle exercise
Try stress-relief techniques like deep breathing, yoga and biofeedback
Mindfulness meditation can help you control your responses to stress and minimize the negative effects on your body.

Keep reading for more tips to help you live better with Crohn’s. Also read Crohn’s Disease Diet: How to deal with it?

7. Check your diet

Some food combinations can make symptoms worse. Your food triggers are different from someone else. Are you unsure which foods are triggering your symptoms? Keep a food diary with you. Noting what you eat and how you feel afterwards can help pinpoint triggers. Here is one of the best tips to help you live better with Crohn’s.

After many years of our own research, we believe overproduction of acid (and bad food combinations) may well be what is causing your Crohn’s disease mismanagement and flare-ups. Could avoiding five “trigger foods” and “catalyst food” mixes be the solution? Here at Pain Free Foods, we are confident that it is. We know you are here because you want to find out tips to help you live better with Crohn’s.

8. Your Path to Symptom-Free Living Starts Here

We believe that the inflammation that leads to Crohn’s disease flare ups is completely preventable and reversible when we stop eating in a way that causes the inflammation in the first place. I do not call this a cure but rather, an “elimination of symptoms.” If you would like to start your journey and tips to help you live better with Crohn’s, please join us. We have helped hundreds of thousands just like you who are suffering and in pain. Rachel’s Tea has supplements for those who have a hard time following a diet plan. Rachel’s Tea also has the best-selling Digestive Tea. Please check out our website for more information on how you can start eliminating your symptoms for good. Do not let Crohn’s disease take hold of your life any longer. Let us get your quality of life back starting today!