Since Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition, it’s vitally important to do everything you can with medication and dietary and lifestyle choices to help your condition. Your Manhattan gastroenterologist can recommend the best course of medical treatment and encourage you to make the proper lifestyle and food choices.
What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic inflammation. It can strike anywhere from your mouth to your rectum. Unlike similar conditions such as ulcerative colitis, this inflammatory bowel disease usually appears in patches along your gastrointestinal tract. It can present as deep pockets of inflammation surrounded by unaffected tissue.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are varied and can resemble other gastrointestinal illnesses. It’s, therefore, sometimes difficult to diagnose. Taken together, its symptoms can include:
- Watery diarrhea;
- Chronic bloody stools;
- Fever;
- Abdominal pain;
- Appetite and weight loss;
- Fatigue;
- Vomiting and nausea;
- Low iron levels;
- Change in bowel habits;
- Joint pain;
- Skin changes;
- Vision changes.
Your gastroenterologist should diagnose all symptoms for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Diagnosing Crohn’s Disease in New York City
Your Crohn’s doctor relies on various tests to reach a diagnosis:
- Endoscopy
- Capsule endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- CT scan
- MR Imaging
Once diagnosed, Crohn’s disease requires a medicine regimen to control its symptoms, ranging from antibiotics to immune system suppressors.
Preventing Crohn’s Disease Symptoms
Reducing stress can also lower your risk of developing debilitating symptoms as it can be helpful for everything. Regular exercise helps with overall health and stress reduction. It’s vital to remain hydrated during exercise. If you smoke, quitting can help you prevent worsening symptoms of the disease. Avoiding NSAIDs is essential, as well as avoiding triggers. Speak with your gastroenterologist for more guidance regarding how to best avoid Crohn’s disease symptoms.
Getting Relief from Crohn’s Disease
The good news is that you can find healthy food to help ease your symptoms while having a flare-up of gastrointestinal symptoms. Talk to your physicians at gastroenterology practice in New York City before trying anything new. Keep in mind that both food triggers and food relievers are subjective and vary widely between individuals.
When in doubt, consult a Crohn’s doctor. If you feel acute symptoms, get help. If you aren’t sure if you have Crohn’s disease, our doctors for an appointment. Only a trained gastroenterologist can make an accurate diagnosis and formulate an effective treatment plan.
For more information about Crohn’s Disease, contact Manhattan Gastroenterology.
