CROHN’S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS
PROBLEM
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that produces abdominal pain, ulceration, formation of fibrous tissue, and malabsorption of important vitamins and minerals.
CAUSE
The cause is unknown, but it can be aggravated by bacterial infection or inflammation.
TREATMENT PLAN
A.Adequate nutrition is critical to the promotion of healing.
B.Vitamins, minerals, and folic acid are necessary for proper healing and to avoid complications, such as bone disease and low blood counts.
C.To relieve pain, apply a heating pad or warm compress to your abdomen.
D.Check your bowel movements (BMs) daily for signs of bleeding.
E.You may need to have blood tests.
F.You may need to see a specialist.
G.Surgery may be required to help control symptoms.
H.There may be a support group near where you live. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation website—at www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/find-a-support-group—has an area to find a support group.
Activity: During acute attacks, rest in bed or in a chair. Get up only to go to the bathroom, bathe, or eat. Between attacks, resume normal activities, as tolerated.
Diet:
A.When you have diarrhea, increase the fiber content of your diet. Increasing fiber in your diet is used for diarrhea and constipation.
B.Restricting milk products may stop the diarrhea. Omit milk products for a short time, then try them again in a few weeks.
C.Reducing the amount of fat and gluten in your diet may help.
D.Ensure, Sustacal, and Isocal have been found to induce remission and improve symptoms.
E.Severe relapse may require partial bowel rest. Contact the office for instruction.
Medications: You may be prescribed vitamins and minerals, medicine to control pain and relieve diarrhea, and a steroid to reduce the inflammation. Do not stop taking the steroid abruptly. Your healthcare provider can tell you how to taper the dose over several days.
You Have Been Prescribed the Following Vitamins and Minerals:
1.____________________________
2.____________________________
3.____________________________
4.____________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Have Been Prescribed the Following to Relieve Diarrhea: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Have Been Prescribed the Following Steroid: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
Other medications to treat inflammatory bowel diseases include oral medication, intravenous infusions, and injectable medications to control the severity of symptoms. Your healthcare provider will discuss these with you and the need for close follow-up monitoring.
You Have Been Prescribed: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Notify the Office If You Have:
A.Black, tarry stools, or blood in the stool.
B.A swollen abdomen.
C.A temperature of 101.0°F or higher.
D.Other: ___________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
You Need to Return to the Office for Blood Work: ___________________________________________________________
RESOURCE
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America: www.ccfa.org
386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10013
800-932-2423
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