Can 'Some' Foods 'Cause' A Flare To Happen?

[Ellowyne]

I am a Mum of a 19 year old Son, newly diagnosed with Crohns. My son generally eats well, veg, fibre ect...He is currently on Pentassa 4g and all is going well so far. The thing is that he is missing some of his favourite foods, though I am trying to vary things for him!...His favourite food is Curry! Indian curry, not too hot, but spicy all the same!...I was just wondering, Can certain food 'Cause' a flare to happen?...Or would it be syptoms of a flare for a few days?...Sorry if I am asking a stupid question that might be obvious to everyone, but I am unsure!...When he is responding well to Pentassa, should I risk letting him have some of his favourite food occasionally?...I am just so worried that he may end up in hospital again!

Can anyone give advice please....Thank you.

Lorraine (Mum)

 

[ameslouise]

I don't think foods can cause a flare. I think they can exacerbate a problem, or make you feel like crap for many days, can cause a blockage due to narrowing, etc, but I don't think they can technically make you have a flare.

In my experience, stress (in my case, physical stress like quitting smoking) has always triggered my flares.

And in my experience, Indian is a safe food - the spices are really soothing to my system. As a matter of fact, I am eating a mild chicken curry as I type this!

-Amy

 

[Jennifer]

Food causing a blockage as in the build up of food Amy?

No food does not cause flares. All of us have what are called "trigger foods" whether you suffer from IBD or not. Trigger foods bring on symptoms but do not cause flares. Symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, gas etc. This is normal for everyone. For example my trigger foods are raw fruits and vegetables. Yet there are many people on this forum who can eat either one. Another trigger food for me would be lactose because I'm simply lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance has nothing to do with Crohn's as well and is common among adults because one we weren't meant to drink cows milk and two, infants and children are more able to break down lactose by use of the enzyme lactase. Many people stop producing lactase or don't produce enough causing lactose intolerance. http://www.infantfeeding.info/LActoseIntolerance.htm

I love curry myself (especially yellow curry) and is perfectly safe to eat.

Edit: I'd also like to add that simply because I know what my trigger foods are does not mean that I don't eat or drink them ever. There are things you can do to avoid the symptoms they can cause. For instance, I take Lomotil (a prescription) as needed for diarrhea.

 

[Astra]

Food didn't cause my inflammation neither, some foods exacerbate symptoms such as diarrhea, so I don't eat them, these are in my food diary, but I know them off by heart now!
I love curries too, I can eat a chicken Tikka Masala or Korma with Basmati rice with no problems
Chinese food from a takeaway however kills me, but that's the MSG in it, URGH!

 

[Ellowyne]

Thank you so much for all your kind replies!...I am sure my son will be happy to hear what you have all said. The thing is, he does'nt have Curry often, just as a treat once a Month, it's his favourite food!...But, when he was in hospital and we spoke with the Dietian, he said to avoid spicy food as this may 'Cause' a flare. Maybe I misunderstood, it was all quite stressful at the time. Overall, Danni eats well and healthy, so I am sure I can cook him his fave meal occasionally!

Thank you all, I love this forum, everyone is so kind and helpful...It has been such a God send for me, I hope that when my son feels ready that he may join also....Thank you, Lorraine x