Stress Aggravates IBD and Ulcerative Colitis – Some Tips to Keep Stress Under Control

Unlike other signs of illnesses, stress and depression can hardly be detected from an external indication, the reason why we often overlook the subtle changes that eventually trigger tension and depression. However, contrary to the popular perception that stress can hardly create any bodily impacts, when it comes to diseases like Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, stress can exacerbate several symptoms and thus delay both the healing process and efforts to achieve and maintain remission or the symptom-free stage to regain health and become fit once again.

Being exposed to stress on a regular basis can increase the chances of deterioration of inflammatory bowel disease symptoms by about five folds. Relapses related to stress and depression are often more life-threatening than the ones that happen otherwise. Off late, this was proved scientifically when the researcher conducted a comprehensive analysis of nearly 60 inflammatory bowel disease patients who suffered from terrible relapses due to constant stress, mood swings, and major events in life. That said, apart from increasing the risk of IBD flares, stress and depression can lead to frequent hospitalizations. Precisely, both short-term and long-term stress can be dangerous for inflammatory bowel disease patients, as they can lead to several fatal exacerbations that create grave symptoms such as permeability of intestines, thereby causing a leaky bowel.

Stress can also leave its terrible impacts on the functioning of the immune system, upsetting neurotransmitters and hormones. Apart from symptoms and various external factors that are stress-inducing, the disease conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause stress and depression, due to the constant worry about the symptoms and constant diarrhea that leads to weight loss and malnutrition. The three main controlling measures that can keep stress and depression at bay are: taking medications on time, eating timely and eating right, as well as avoiding triggers that cause stress and depression.

Though it’s a common diagnostic factor which is listed among the key aspects to be carefully examined before entering into a verdict; the correlation between stress and IBD are not yet directly elucidated through concrete scientific analysis processes that are done on humans. However, the experiments done on animals have helped find a close link between IBD and stress, thereby helping experts enter into the conclusion that an increase in stress can exacerbate Crohn’s disease symptoms, and thereby result in several life-threatening conditions.

Contrary to the popular perception, stress is not limited to sweating of palms or furrowed eyebrows. Patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease might experience indirect yet evident impacts of stress, out of which worsening of the disease symptoms is the most important, and a close second is the deterioration of conditions like diarrhea, which might lead to significant draining out of nutrients, eventually resulting in sudden weight loss and malnutrition.

UC patients who are exposed to extreme stress are vulnerable to exacerbations that are often as high as fivefold the normal relapse and flare-up. In addition to worsening the symptoms of Crohn’s disease, stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to frequent hospitalizations and multiple surgeries to prevent severe disease conditions that are fatal.

Stress management methods that ulcerative colitis patients can make use of:

1. Deep breathing helps get the necessary oxygen to normalize the heart rate and blood pressure.
2. Yoga and stretching are widely recommended stress busters. Apart from strengthening the body, yoga and stretching exercises help relax and release stress easily. Get a nice, comfortable yoga mat and comfortable yoga clothing that is looser around the waist.
3. Being well-prepared will help adopt healthy lifestyles and stress-free activities that help avert exacerbation of ulcerative colitis symptoms.
4. Alternative therapies like massage and acupuncture are good to reduce stress and anxiety.
5. Getting an adequate amount of stress each day is a sure shot way to reduce stress and depression.

For more info: www.gutpeople.net

Bio
Latest Posts

Daniel Disusa

Translator, pursuing a career in medical research, keyed up in researches conducted to aid and supports the development body of knowledge in the field of medicine.