Crohn’s Disease And Eye Function
Although Crohns Disease is known for causing digestive problems, it can also affect other areas of your body. Individuals with Crohns may experience skin complications, joint pain, and eye problems. About 10 percent of individuals with Crohns have problems with their eyes at some point.
Different conditions require different treatments.
- Episcleritis is treated with cold compresses or topical steroids to relieve inflammation.
- Scleritis is treated with eye drops or oral medications.
- Uveitis is treated with topical or systemic steroids to clear inflammation, or medications to dilate the pupil.
- Keratopathy is treated with lubricating fluid or gel. If the condition does not resolve, prescription eye drops are used.
- Dry eyes are treated with eye drops or warm compresses.
- Optic neuritis may resolve on its own, but if it does not, IV medications, injections, and steroids are all treatment options.
In general, treating Crohns disease and reducing inflammation will also alleviate eye problems. Additionally, avoiding Crohns flares also reduces the risk of developing eye problems in the future.
What Foods Should You Eat With Crohn’s Disease
If you have Crohn’s Disease, very minor changes to what you eat can make a BIG difference in your symptoms. Consider keeping food logs or adjusting foods that trigger your symptoms. You may also want to work with your doctor or dietitian to work through an elimination diet. Generally, you should try to:
In terms of specific food recommendations, go with these:
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During a flare up, you many find it more comfortable to eat bland, soft food, otherwise limiting spicy foods. During periods of remission, you should eat all of your usual items with the omission of known offenders.
The Food Lover’s Guide To Crohn’s Disease
There’s no one-size-fits-all meal plan for people living with Crohn’s Disease. And that’s a good thing: it means that the low-fiber, white rice diet that used to be prescribed to those with IBD is no longer the default. So what has replaced white rice? Every person living with Crohn’s has to figure that out with the help of their doctors and nutritionists. We found a few people who did just that and who are now cooking deliciouslyread their stories, and find a few recipes that may be right for you, below.
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What To Avoid In A Flare
Ehsani says that it is best to avoid any foods that will likely aggregate the stomach.
Caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, soda, teas, or even sparkling waters may be too hard to stomach, she says. Avoid citrus fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, oranges and tomatoes, as acidic foods might be too harsh for your stomach to tolerate. Avoid most dairy products some people can tolerate yogurt, but all other forms of dairy should be avoided as it’s harder for most people to tolerate.
Sugar alcohols are found in sugar-free foods, diabetic-friendly foods, and in many gums and candies, and its best to avoid them as they can cause diarrhea. Alcohol should be avoided until symptoms resolve as well.
Lee lists foods she encourages Crohns disease patients to avoid while in a flare-up:
Stress Management Techniques That Really Help
Managing stress is an important way to reduce Crohns symptoms. It can also help keep you in remission for longer. When people are in remission, reducing or maintaining a low level of stress is very helpful for maintaining that remission, Gerson says. Its a very preventative way to think about it.
Here are some stress management techniques that gastrointestinal psychologists recommend. And remember: Its important to practice these techniques regularly instead of only using them when you desperately need them, says Helen Hunt, L.S.W., a therapist who works with people with IBD at the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in Pittsburg, PA. If you try to use a technique in the moment when youre already very stressed, its going to be really hard to do if you aren’t comfortable with it, she says. If you practice it regularly, it will be easy for you to use in times when you are stressed.
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Mean Green Detox Smoothie
You know how chia seeds get all slimy when you let them sit in water for a bit? The slick gel that it creates is actually great for the lining of your digestive tract. Spirulina, the blue-green algae is, too, thanks to the amino acid glutamine. Make sure you dont go overboard with the spirulina, unless you want to taste the oceana little goes a long way!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Chia seeds and spirulini are great for your gut lining just dont go overboard with the spirulini! .
Directions
Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender and mix until smooth to enjoy.
Can Keeping A Daily Food Diary Help Me Manage My Crohn’s Disease
Yes. Keeping track of the foods you eat each day can help you identify the “offenders” — foods that may trigger symptoms. Avoiding these foods, especially when your disease is active, may give you better control of the symptoms.
You can also use a daily food diary to help you and your doctor determine if you’re getting a properly balanced diet. It can show whether you are getting enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water. It can also show whether you are getting enough calories to maintain your weight and energy.
To start your diary, record the foods you eat each day and the serving sizes in a small notebook. Enter the date, food, and any symptoms you might feel after eating this food in the notebook.
After a month or two, set up a time to review your food diary with a registered dietitian. The dietitian can determine if you’re getting essential nutrients in a well-balanced meal plan or if you might need supplements. Proper nutrition helps the body heal itself and keeps you well. So having a nutrition discussion with a registered dietitian is important to your overall health and to the management of Crohn’s disease.
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Food Preparation And Meal Planning
While there is no one-size-fits-all for meal planning, these tips can help guide you toward better daily nutrition:
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Eat four to six small meals daily.
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Stay hydrated drink enough to keep your urine light yellow to clear with water, broth, tomato juice, or a rehydration solution.
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Drink slowly and avoid using a straw, which can cause you to ingest air, which may cause gas.
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Prepare meals in advance, and keep your kitchen stocked with foods that you tolerate well .
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Use simple cooking techniques boil, grill, steam, poach.
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Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and any symptoms you may experience.
It Can Be Challenging To Differentiate Between Crohn’s Disease And Ulcerative Colitis
Our summary of the two conditions is below. You can also read a more detailed explanation about the differences between Colitis and Crohn’s Disease here.
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Our summary of the two conditions is below. You can also read a more detailed explanation about the differences between Colitis and Crohn’s Disease here.
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Asparagus & Mushroom Frittata
Easily digestible and rich in nutrients, this frittata can soothe and support damaged gut linings with phytonutrient-rich plants, prebiotics, and vitamins A and E. So if youre looking for a breakfast thats nutritious, delicious, easy-to-make, and gut-friendly, this asparagus and mushroom frittata is it!
Alleviate Your Crohn’s Symptoms With A Meal Plan Customized To Your Individual Needs
Although there is no “cure” for Crohn’s Disease, combining traditional medicine with the recommendations from our Registered Dietitians for Crohn’s Disease can help you re-establish a normal routine and feel healthier
Our Registered Dietitians help you determine:
- Which foods your digestive system handles well, across all food groups
- Tips on how to plan your snacks and meals throughout the day
- Foods to eat and foods to avoid
- How to make these changes sustainable and set you up for long-term success.
A nutritionist for Crohn’s Disease can be the perfect partner to your primary care doctor to help you manage your Crohn’s Disease. Our evidence-based process can help you implement proven strategies to feel better and improve your health.
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Yogurt Parfait With Mixed Berries
Yogurt is a source of probiotics, or good bacteria, which can be especially helpful for someone with Crohns, as probiotics aid digestion and help heal the gut. The bacteria also eat some of the lactose, which makes this naturally easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance or sensitivity.
Yogurt is also a great and provides calcium and potassium. Look for plain, unflavored yogurt that contains live, active cultures and no added sugars.
Ingredients
- ¼ c strawberry fruit spread*
- ½ c frozen blueberries, unthawed
- 1 c fresh strawberries, sliced
- ¼ c slivered almonds**
- ¼ tsp lemon juice
*Both the yogurt and the fruit spread in this recipe are homemade and sweetened with honey, to adhere to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet . If you use store-bought ingredients, try to select an additive-free fruit spread that has no added sugar and plain yogurt with active, live cultures. Visit Elizabeth M Jacobs blog for this recipe and other ideas.
**Substitute with a well-tolerated breakfast cereal if nuts irritate your stomach.
Is Crohn’s Disease Contagious
Whether you are in an active flare or remission, Crohns disease is not contagious and cannot be spread to others. To further understand why Crohns is not contagious, lets look deeper into what causes Crohns disease.
Researchers currently believe that genetic factors may influence the onset of Crohn’s Disease. Further, environmental factors such as stress also play a role in developing symptoms. There is a third theory that certain pathogens may be linked to Crohn’s Disease.
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Banana And Apple Pancakes
- Peel and mash the bananas in a mixing bowl.
- Core the apple and grate it into the banana mixture.
- Crack the eggs into the bowl and mix the ingredients.
- Heat a frying pan and add a small amount of coconut oil into the pan.
- Use a spoon to drop the mixture into the pan. Use the back of the spoon to flatten the pancakes so that they are thin and round.
- Allow the pancakes to cook for a minute, or until they are golden brown on one side and easy to turn over using a spatula.
- Turn and allow to cook for another minute until the second side is also golden brown.
- Once cooked remove from the pan and continue to cook the rest of the mixture in the same way.
- Once removed from the pan you can stack the pancakes on a plate to keep them warm.
- Serve with honeyif desired, or just eat them plain if you are sugar free.
- Put all the ingredients into a blender and blitz together for 30 seconds.
- You can change the ratio of coconut milk/water if you want.
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Crohns Disease Diet: Do You Need To Supplement
Ehsani encourages those experiencing extended periods of diarrhea to supplement, as nutrient malabsorption can cause deficiencies. People with Crohns who are experiencing chronic diarrhea may be malnourished and could benefit from a multivitamin, she says. People with Crohns are also more likely to have anemia, so regularly checking your iron levels is important and supplementing when low is necessary.
Lee also mentions that it is important to supplement calcium if you are on steroids due to the impact they have on bone health. Steroids affect bone metabolism and increase the risk of bone loss leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis, she says. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium in the gut, so these are best taken together. High-calcium foods include low-fat dairy products, leafy greens, salmon, sardines, tofu and any products marked as fortified with calcium.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.
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How Can Diet Help With My Symptoms
Making changes to your diet may help you manage some common symptoms of Crohns and Colitis, such as loose and runny stools, dehydration, bloating, wind, constipation, weight loss, tiredness, nausea and vomiting and pain. While changing your diet can help you manage your symptoms, it doesnt replace the medical treatment suggested by your IBD team.
Loose and runny stools
A common symptom of Crohns and Colitis is loose and runny stools, called diarrhoea. For some people, their diet has no effect on their diarrhoea. Others find that avoiding certain foods helps. You could use the food diary above to help you find out which foods might be causing your symptoms. Foods which sometimes make diarrhoea worse include spicy or fatty foods, high fibre foods, foods containing gluten and dairy foods. Drinks containing caffeine, sweeteners or alcohol can also make diarrhoea worse.Your IBD team or dietitian can advise you on how to manage your diarrhoea. They will want to make sure youre eating and drinking enough to get all the nutrients you need and to stay hydrated. In some cases, they may recommend medicines to help.Our guide Diarrhoea and constipation has more information about what causes diarrhoea and possible treatments.
Dehydration
If your body doesnt have enough water, you can become dehydrated. This might happen if you dont drink enough fluids or if your body loses too much fluid, for example, if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.You may be more likely to get dehydrated if:
Steamed Or Broiled Fatty Fish
Youâll want to steer clear of fried foods, since they can make stomach problems worse. But fish like sardines, salmon, and mackerel are great choices if you broil or steam them. Thatâs because theyâre rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation. They can also help you get protein and vitamin D.
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Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- half a cup of peanut or almond butter
- one-third of a cup of honey
- half a cup of ground flaxseed
- one-third of a cup of chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, or a mixture of all three
Method
Include A Healthy Fat
Whether your veggies are cooked in a small amount of olive oil before being thrown into the soup pot or you top it with some fresh avocado, youll be doing your body a great service by incorporating a healthy fat into your bowl. Healthy fats increase your bodys ability to absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K that are often depleted in people with Crohns, according to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.
A Vegetarian Pho recipe uses avocado oil, which provides delicious flavor while adding a perfect dose of healthy fats. To make this even more Crohns-friendly, use low-sodium broth or stock and skip the jalapenos, green onions, and lime slices.
Additional reporting by Ashley Welch.
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Avocado Toast Topped With Scrambled Eggs
For a more savory option, consider easy avocado toast with a twist adding scrambled eggs on top for a boost of protein and nutrition. Eggs are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, D, and E.
To make this dish super friendly for Crohns disease, opt for sourdough or gluten-free bread, both of which are great when it comes to managing flare-ups or keeping symptoms at bay.
Start to finish: 15 minutes
Makes: 1 serving
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 slices sourdough or gluten-free bread, toasted
Instructions