Is Your Crohn's Disease Flare-Up Telling You Something?

Flare-ups are not entirely predictable. Crohn's disease is not only a reaction to high stress levels or trigger foods; it's a complex disease caused by genetics and an autoimmune response. However, flare-ups can sometimes be clues to what else could be changed to improve your overall health.

Common gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Crohn's include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and blood in your stools.

Not all Crohn's symptoms are related to your gut. Other signs of a flare-up include fatigue, joint pain, red, sore eyes, raised body temperature, and mouth ulcers. The latter are more closely linked to the autoimmune aspect of the condition.

If you are experiencing symptoms, our experts at Carolina Digestive Health Associates can explain what flare-ups may reveal about your condition.

Stress levels might be too high

Stress doesn't cause Crohn's disease, but it can make flare-ups more likely or worsen symptoms, as cortisol and adrenaline can alter communication among your brain, immune system, and gut. Stress also increases the activity of inflammatory cells and weakens the intestinal barrier.

When your gut barrier is weakened, your immune system is exposed to bacteria that normally stay in the digestive tract. As a consequence, your immune system may perceive these bacteria as threats and attack them, harming nearby tissues as well.

Fortunately, there are plenty of stress management solutions out there, and some don't even involve meditation or a yoga class. Reducing caffeine, getting enough sleep, or simply making time to watch a show you love at the end of the day is often enough to take some of the load off and allow your body to relax.

Food triggers may be present in your diet

There isn't one diet that is best for Crohn's. Food triggers vary from person to person. However, when a flare-up is present, the inflamed areas of your intestine become even more sensitive to certain foods, worsening symptoms. Foods high in insoluble fiber, high in fat, or very spicy are usually the main offenders for worsening abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Keeping a food diary to observe patterns is often the best approach to learning which foods trigger symptoms without cutting out unnecessary food groups.

The treatment plan might need adjusting

Sometimes it's not stress or the presence of trigger foods. In some people, the condition can become more active over time if antibodies develop, reducing the effectiveness of certain medications. If that's the case, flare-ups become more frequent or last longer. A change in medication or an adjustment in the dose can prevent complications and improve long-term disease control.

Learn more about your Crohn's flare-ups

Crohn's disease does sometimes get worse during stressful periods or after eating certain foods, but it's important to note that these triggers don't cause the condition, and flare-ups may occur even in the absence of these triggers. In other words, don't feel guilty for not always skipping spicy foods, because the condition is still present.

If you do experience flare-ups, contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Belmont or Charlotte, North Carolina. Our experts will run tests to determine the cause of your flare-ups and recommend a personalized treatment plan to help make your life easier.