How to Manage an Intense Crohn’s Disease Flare-up

If you’re one of the one million with Crohn’s disease, you already know that a flare-up can stop you in your tracks. One day, you feel mostly in control of your symptoms, and the next, you’re dealing with symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, or even urgent diarrhea. 

There’s no way around it: A flare-up can completely disrupt your day. 

Untreated and undermanaged Crohn’s disease can also lead to complications like ulcers and fissures. So, when symptoms ramp up, it’s important to act quickly, not just to feel better, but to reduce your risk of these complications, too.

At Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, Jigneshkumar B. Patel, MD, and his team can help you manage Crohn’s disease and its flare-ups. Read on to learn more about flare-ups and what you can do if you have an intense one.

Know the signs of a flare-up

A Crohn’s flare happens when inflammation in your digestive tract becomes more active. Certain things can trigger a flare-up, and some of the most common include smoking, stress, dietary changes, and skipping your medication. Flare-ups are particularly tricky because some triggers, especially stress, aren’t always avoidable. 

During your flare-up, you may experience worsening abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in your stool, fatigue, weight loss, fever, nausea, or reduced appetite.

How to manage an intense flare-up

If your symptoms feel more intense than usual or aren’t improving, don’t assume you have to wait it out.

If you have a flare-up, here’s what you can try:

1. Contact Dr. Jigneshkumar as soon as possible

An intense flare may require medication adjustments, lab testing, stool testing, imaging, or other evaluation. Dr. Jigneshkumar may need to check for infection, dehydration, anemia, or complications such as narrowing, abscesses, or fistulas.

Early treatment here in our Trinity, Florida, office can help you avoid a prolonged flare or a trip to the emergency room.

2. Focus on hydration

Diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. In fact, diarrhea is a major contributor to dehydration. 

If your flare-up includes diarrhea, sip fluids throughout the day and consider electrolyte drinks if you’re losing a lot of fluid. Electrolytes can help replace sodium and potassium that you’ve lost through diarrhea. Choose oral rehydration solutions designed for illness rather than sugary sports drinks.

Call Dr. Jigneshkumar promptly if you feel dizzy, weak, or are unable to keep any fluids down, or notice very dark urine. These are all signs of severe dehydration.

3. Refocus on your diet 

During a flare, your digestive tract may tolerate simple, lower-fiber foods better. You may try easy-on-your-tummy foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, broth, eggs, potatoes, or well-cooked vegetables.

When choosing vegetables, choose low-“fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols” (FODMAP) veggies like carrot, summer squash, spinach, and bell peppers.

Avoid alcohol, greasy foods, high-fiber foods, spicy foods, and anything you know triggers your symptoms.

4. Do not stop or change medication on your own

If you’re already taking medication for Crohn’s disease, don’t stop it without medical guidance, even if you’re frustrated that symptoms are returning. Some medications need time, monitoring, or even a slight adjustment.

Our team can determine whether you need a short-term flare plan, a medication change, or a different long-term strategy.

5. Know when it is urgent

Seek medical care right away if you have severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, a high fever, heavy rectal bleeding, a swollen abdomen, or symptoms that rapidly worsen.

Get help for your flare-up

Any flare-up — whether it’s mild or intense — can be frustrating, and thankfully, you don’t have to tough it out on your own. Dr. Jigneshkumar and the Bay Area Gastroenergetically Associates team work with you to identify what’s driving your flare and create a treatment plan that fits your condition. 

Whether you need additional testing, medication management, or ongoing care for Crohn’s disease, our team can help you get your symptoms under control.

To learn more about Crohn’s disease or to explore your management options, call us today at 727-372-4500. You can also click here to schedule a consultation.