Dealing with Stress and IBD
By Peter Nielsen
The fight or flight instinct is strong in most of us. When we are up against major times of stress, we can respond either way. We have heard about parents finding some heroic source of strength and being able to lift cars off their children hurt in accidents. And, on the other side of the coin, we see people who withdraw totally rather than deal with something that forces them outside of their comfort zone. They would prefer to hide emotionally and physically, rather than face whatever it is.
Since 9-1-1 and the challenges of the economy, we all have been carrying extra stress for several years. Stress, as we know, can be a trigger for individuals with IBD. When the autoimmune system is compromised, our disease can come out of remission.
So, what should we do? I believe we need to take a total inventory of our stress. Think about it – parents and kids being involved with going back to school; the holidays looming on the horizon with possible visits of relatives, meals to prepare and coordinate; possible job losses – the list goes on.
Stress can produce cortisol, which comes from the pancreas. When cortisol is in the body for too long, because we haven't been able to resolve whatever it is that is bothering us, it raises our homocysteine levels. These are linked to several systems in our bodies and can be a challenge for people with IBD.
Once we have considered what it is that is affecting our lives, we need to put those issues into perspective and develop as stress-less an environment we can. It may seem difficult at times, but getting a handle on some of these instead of letting them consume us will calm things down. If it is the holiday season that is sending you into a spin, then remember what the holidays are meant to be all about – and be ready to enjoy them.
I advocate getting plenty of rest and staying away from extra alcohol and caffeine. It is really easy for any of us to go off our diets during the holidays but, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas looming, there are so many possible pitfalls in front of us. Holidays are usually a medley of trials and tribulations.
For people with IBD, we need to remember to eat properly and drink water. Stay away from too many fatty foods, because they can be a major problem. Be sure to include green vegetables in your diets, particularly those rich in fiber and folic acid. Folic acid helps lower homocysteine and that will be good for handling your stressors. A warning, though – I must emphasize how extremely important it is for individuals with IBD, when it comes to vegetables, to take into consideration what I call the "fork test." Overcook them to the point where you can easily stick your fork into them.
So, the next time you are faced with stress that seems to be producing a flight or fight response in you, don't let it overcome you. Most importantly, remember to take care of yourself.
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