Minimally invasive laparoscopic approach preferred when feasible
Patient Discharge Instructions
copy discharge instructions
Crohn's disease flare home care
Take all prescribed medications exactly as directed
Do not stop steroid taper early — complete the full tapering course
Do not stop maintenance biologic or immunomodulator without speaking to your GI doctor
Avoid NSAIDs including ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin — these can worsen your disease
Use acetaminophen for mild pain instead
Diet recommendations during flare
Low-residue diet — cooked vegetables, white rice, lean proteins, limit raw fruit and high-fiber foods
Avoid high-fat, ultraprocessed foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages
Stay well hydrated — aim for 2 to 3 litres of fluid per day
Small frequent meals are easier to tolerate than large meals
Activity
Rest as needed during acute flare
Light walking is safe — avoid strenuous exercise until symptoms improve
Smoking cessation
Smoking significantly increases your risk of flares, surgery, and hospitalizations
Speak to your doctor about cessation support options
Warning signs — return to emergency department immediately
Severe worsening abdominal pain, especially if constant and not cramping
Abdomen becomes hard, rigid, or very tender to touch
Inability to pass gas or stool combined with distension — possible bowel obstruction
High fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius or 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit
Blood in stool with lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Increasing pain, swelling, or drainage around the anus — possible abscess
Inability to keep fluids down or take medications by mouth
Calf pain, leg swelling, or sudden shortness of breath — possible blood clot
Eye redness or pain — report to ophthalmology promptly
Follow-up instructions
GI follow-up appointment within 1 to 2 weeks of discharge
Sooner if starting a new steroid taper or biologic infusion
Do not adjust your steroid taper schedule on your own — contact your GI doctor if unsure
Biologic infusion appointment — attend as scheduled, do not miss doses
Bring a list of all medications to every appointment
References
Guidelines and key sources
Primary guidelines
ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Crohn's Disease in Adults — Lichtenstein et al, American Journal of Gastroenterology 2025
Most comprehensive current North American guideline
Covers mild, moderate, and severe disease stratification with treatment algorithms
AGA Clinical Practice Update on Inpatient Management of Adults With IBD — Cohen-Mekelburg et al, Gastroenterology 2026
Best practice advice for hospitalized IBD patients
VTE prophylaxis, nutrition, escalation criteria
WSES-AAST Guidelines: Management of IBD in the Emergency Setting — De Simone et al, World Journal of Emergency Surgery 2021
Emergency department and surgical management framework
AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on Medical Management of Moderate to Severe Luminal and Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease — Feuerstein et al, Gastroenterology 2021
Supporting evidence
Dolinger M, Torres J, Vermeire S — Crohn's Disease, Lancet 2024
Comprehensive pathophysiology and therapeutics review
Cushing K, Higgins PDR — Management of Crohn Disease: A Review, JAMA 2021
Practical clinical management framework
Choden T, Levine E, Davis AM — Management of Crohn Disease in Adults, JAMA 2026
Hashash JG et al — AGA Clinical Practice Update on Diet and Nutritional Therapies in IBD, Gastroenterology 2024
Dawwas GK et al — Effectiveness and Safety of Prophylactic Anticoagulation in Hospitalized IBD Patients, Blood Advances 2024
Ananthakrishnan AN et al — Lifestyle Modification in IBD, Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2022
Coding reference
ICD-10 codes for Crohn's disease
K50.00 — Crohn's disease of small intestine without complications
K50.011 — Crohn's disease of small intestine with rectal bleeding
K50.012 — Crohn's disease of small intestine with intestinal obstruction
K50.013 — Crohn's disease of small intestine with fistula
K50.014 — Crohn's disease of small intestine with abscess
K50.80 — Other Crohn's disease without complications
K50.90 — Crohn's disease unspecified without complications
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.