Lifestyle

Lifestyle is very important in any disease process, but in particular with Crohn’s disease. Smoking is a very, very, very important risk factor that anyone with Crohn’s disease should absolutely eliminate. Crohn’s disease has been repeatedly shown to be associated with many complications of Crohn’s disease. So if you take someone with Crohn’s disease and they are a smoker, they’re more likely to develop strictures or blockages. They’re more likely to develop fistulas. They’re more likely to have complications that are more likely to require surgery. So I highly recommend that all my patients with Crohn’s disease immediately stop cigarettes. Physical activity is very important. Patients with Crohn’s disease should maintain an active lifestyle and try to get regular physical activity.