Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn disease - discharge; Regional enteritis - discharge; Ileitis - discharge; Granulomatous ileocolitis - discharge; Colitis - discharge
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease.
You were in the hospital because you have Crohn disease. This is an inflammation of the surface and deep layers of the small intestine, large intestine, or both. Less often, other parts of your gastrointestinal tract can be affected.
You may have had exams, lab tests, and x-rays. The inside of your rectum and colon may have been examined using a flexible tube (colonoscopy). A sample of your tissue (biopsy) may have been taken.
You may have been asked not to eat or drink anything and have been fed only through an intravenous line. You may have received special nutrients through a feeding tube.
You may have also started taking new medicines to treat your Crohn disease.
Surgeries you may have had include repair of a fistula, small bowel resection, or ileostomy.
After a flare-up of your Crohn disease, you may be more tired and have less energy than before. This should get better. Ask your health care provider about any side effects from your new medicines. You should see your provider regularly. You may also need frequent blood tests, especially if you are on new medicines.
If you went home with a feeding tube, you will need to learn how to use and clean the tube and your skin where the tube enters your body.
When you first go home, you may be asked to drink only liquids or eat different foods from what you normally eat. Ask your provider when you can start your regular diet.
You should eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. It is important that you get enough calories, protein, and important nutrients from a variety of food groups.
Certain foods and drinks can make your symptoms worse. These foods may cause problems for you all the time or only during a flare-up. Try to avoid foods that make your symptoms worse.
Eat smaller meals, and eat more often. Drink plenty of liquids.
Ask your provider about extra vitamins and minerals you may need:
Talk with a dietitian, especially if you lose weight or your diet becomes very limited.
You may feel worried about having a bowel accident, embarrassed, or even feel sad or depressed. Other stressful events in your life, such as moving, job loss, or the loss of a loved one, can cause problems with your digestion.
These tips help you to manage your Crohn disease:
Your provider may give you some medicines to help relieve your symptoms. Based on how bad your Crohn disease is and how you respond to treatment, your provider may recommend one or more of these medicines:
There are many types of medicines that can help prevent or treat attacks of your Crohn disease.
Contact your provider if you have:
Ananthakrishnan AN, Reguerio MD. Management of inflammatory bowel disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 116.
Lichtenstein GR. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 132.
Rezapour M, Avalos D, Damas OM. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee EM, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2023. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier 2023:236-243.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 11/3/2022
Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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06/01/2025
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