How to Remain in Remission
One of the most challenging things about remission, is staying there. It is important to abide by treatment plans. You should continue using your medications until the doctor says otherwise. Maintenance therapy involves not using one of your drugs or gradually reducing your dose of a drug.
Treatment plans depend on the level of damage in the intestines. Several drugs are used to suppress the immune system or impede inflammation. It is important to avoid steroids, because they can cause serious side effects such as bone loss, if used for a long period.
Avoid smoking and antibiotics except that they’re recommended by your doctor. Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Stay away from trigger foods and drinks. This is clinically referred to as elimination diet. Foods to stay away from include:
- Fast food
- Processed foods
- Soft drinks
- Sweets
- Safflower
- Juices
- Corn oil [5]
- Lactose [6]
- Processed meats
- Red meat (beef, pork, lamb)
- Sugary drinks
You can include the following foods in your diet:
- Oats
- Fruit
- Healthy fats (olive oil, non-hydrogenated nut/seed butters)
- Poultry
- Whole foods
- Insoluble fibers (psyllium, pulses)
Conclusion
It is important to work with your doctors before and after going into remission; this is because some adjustments might be made to the treatment plans.
Reference:
[1] https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/the-colon-what-it-is,-what-it-does
[2] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/4812-corticosteroids#:~:text=Corticosteroids%20are%20man%2Dmade%20drugs,compounds%20that%20some%20athletes%20abuse.
[3] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10278
[4] https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-diarrhea
[5] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/corn-oil
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/lactose