If you have Crohn's disease, then you have an autoimmune disorder where your body's immune system attacks the tissues within the intestinal wall. When this happens, the tissues become inflamed and you will feel bloated and uncomfortable. The condition is also quite painful and the majority of the pain comes from the abdominal region. Chronic pain centres like those at sites like http://www.backneckrehab.com can help you to control the pain with the help of steroids, pain relievers, and antibiotics. You also will need to control some of the symptoms on your own during a flare up. Find some good tips below that can help you to reduce your discomfort.

Increase Calorie and Protein Intake

Vomiting and diarrhea are two common symptoms that occur when you have a Crohn's disease flare up. If you experience these symptoms, then you may decide to stop eating for a day or two to reduce the stress on your intestines. This is not wise though, because you expel a great deal of nutrients when you vomit and the same is true when you have diarrhea.  

Your body must exert a great deal of energy though to repair the intestinal damage that occurs during a flare up. This means that calories are required. In fact, your body needs more calories than usual and protein is needed to make necessary tissue repairs. Without the proper nutrition, your body can take a long time to heal and this can prolong your discomfort.

Prepare Small Meals

Large calorie rich meals can cause gas and abdominal stress, so it is wise to prepare six or more small meals throughout the day. When you prepare these meals, cook salmon, halibut, tuna, cod, and eggs to provide your body with easily digested protein.  

If you do not have an appetite, consider purchasing a protein shake that you can make at home. When you purchase a protein shake powder, just make sure to choose one with vegetable based proteins. Animal protein products often contain milk and dairy proteins, and dairy foods can cause intestinal inflammation and gas. This can worsen your abdominal pain. You also need to make sure to create your shake with water instead of milk to reduce complications.

Once you have decided on a good protein source, also make sure to add foods to your meals that are calorie dense. Nuts, dried fruits, avocados, peanut butter, brown rice, and wheat pasta are all good choices.

Eat Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Many physicians ask individuals with heart disease to consume omega 3 fatty acids, because the healthy fats help to reduce cardiovascular inflammation. The fats can also help to reduce intestinal inflammation during a Crohn's disease flare up. Omega 3 fatty acids do this when they are converted to compounds called resolvins. The compounds stop the body from signaling that inflammation should occur in a specific area of the body. Once the inflammation is controlled, the body can then work to repair damaged tissues, and pain will reduce.

Good Food Sources

Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fish, flaxseeds, nuts, vegetable oil, spinach, and soybeans. You can also take fish oil supplements that contain omega 3 fatty acids. If you decide to eat foods with omega 3 fatty acids or if you take a supplement, make sure to pair the fat with a carbohydrate. The carbohydrate will absorb the fatty acids as they are consumed and digested. This will help the body absorb the fats better. Otherwise, your body may expel the fats when you have a bout of diarrhea.

If you have Crohn's disease, then your are probably familiar with the painful flare ups that occur throughout the year. A pain institute can help establish a treatment regimen to reduce your pain. You also must choose your foods carefully to make sure your body can heal itself and reduce your discomfort.