Associated issues

Impact on social life
Crohn’s disease may impact on your social life. Even when you are in remission, you will have to be careful of what you eat. However, there is no reason that, with changes to your lifestyle and appropriate medication, you can not enjoy a full social life. It will simply mean that you will have to choose the food you eat and drink based on your condition.

Where can I get a diet plan?
Because no-one knows what actually causes Crohn’s disease, you will be able to find lots of information on what to and what not to eat. However, it is best that you discuss this with your doctor, who may well refer you to a dietician. Your dietician will be able to provide you with a diet plan based on the foods that are known to aggravate Crohn’s disease. Because every person is an individual, you may need to change some of the ingredients to suit you. Working in close association with your dietician will mean that you design the best diet plan for you.

Can I have a baby?
Male patients taking sulfasalazine, who wish to father a child, should talk to their doctor. Low sperm counts have been reported in people taking sulfasalazine.

Women who are in remission at the time of conception normally have normal pregnancies and healthy babies. However, there is an increased risk of miscarriage, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths in women with active disease. Crohn’s disease may also get worse during pregnancy. It is therefore important that any woman with Crohn’s disease should discuss their health with their doctor before they get pregnant.