Hi, everyone! With Crohn’s and Colitis week only a few weeks away I decided to create a Q and A style post for those types of questions that are often discussed on the forums or you might spend too long googling. I’m hoping I’ll have a few answers for you- and like anything I try to keep it as accurate as I can and link to any studies where I can. Let’s get going!
1.I struggle with anxiety and/or depression. Is this linked to my IBD?
In a word: yes! And it goes beyond the usual ‘being diagnosed with crohn’s or UC makes you stressed.’ Let me explain why your IBD strongly links to your anxiety or dpression. Firstly the gut itself is hugely linked to mental health:a recent study found that anxiety and depression was linked to the bacteria in the intestines. This makes sense given 80% of our immune system is located in the gut and this plays a huge role in overall health. Another link is the Vitamin B12 is synthesised in the small intestines and therefore if the small intestines is not working properly or there is an imbalance of stomach acid then B12 will not be produced; thus B12 deficiency is common in IBD patients- and a noticeable symptom of this is anxiety. Other possible nutritional deficiencies linked to anxiety and depression are Zinc and Magnesium. For more information on my experiences with anxiety checkout my blog on the psychological aspects of IBD.
2. Why does it feel worse on my period?
One for my lady readers; you’ve probably noticed that your period makes your IBD much worse; but is there any evidence for this? The answer is mixed- there is definitely a hormonal link with IBD but periods have not be isolated specifically. For more info, have a read of my periods and IBD post.
3. My doctor says diet doesn’t have anything to do with it. Is that right?
This is a tricky one to cover in a quick Q&A but if you’ve read some of my blog before you’ll know that food is one of the many self-help topics I blog about. There is no one diet for IBD (There, are in fact, many that work for some- I’ve blogged about the most common IBD diets here). Like anyone with chronic illness it is always important to be as healthy as you can- to support your body with medication and having a long-term disease. However, through exploring food and working with a professional, you can figure out what’s right for you. I personally have blogged in the past about why I decided to go gluten free and dairy free.
4. Why do I feel rubbish when I eat vegetables?
One word: fibre. This is the most common reason why we feel vegetables can um..speed things up so to speak. But learning more about the types of fibre is important– working on increasing high soluble fibre foods or blending and juicing is important. Here’s some more info on fruit and veg with IBD.
5. Do probiotics work?
I often get asked about whether probiotic drinks- like Yakult and Actimel work and my answer is a resounding NO! There is no benefit to these yoghurt drinks at all; other than a sugar hit! There’s lots of probiotics on the market but they should be introduced carefully; since any sudden disturbance in the gut bacteria could make symptoms temporarily worse. Do your research and if all else fails, I personally recommend looking at naturally probiotic foods- I have blogged previously about my use of sauerkraut.
6.What should I do if I don’t want to take medication?
This is something lots of people are often afraid to ask- because we don’t get to judged. Medication is REALLY SCARY at times: side-effects; hospital visits; blood tests all.of.the.time. It is normal to feel like you’ve had enough of it but it must always be done in conjuction with your doctor. I have personally had lots of issues with medication and blogged about it in more info here. I now feel I have a good balance of medication and natural approaches like diet. Fingers crossed they’ll keep working together.
7.What supplements should I take?
Again; another common question. I’ve created another post to deal with this question- on my top digestive supplements; but I’d always look into getting nutritional deficiencies properly test.
8. How can I deal with pain?
My top tips are hot baths, plenty of bone broth and mint tea and lots and lots of rest. I’ve shared more advice on stomach cramps in this post.
9.What should I do in a flare-up?
Always, always consult a medical professional in case of a flare up- this is why IBD nurses are so fantastic because they can quickly reassure you and help you ascertain which symptoms need urgent medical attention. If nothing else, your GP should be able to do a blood test to get a bit of a clearer picture. Once you’ve seen your doctor, my top advice is to always rest and drink plenty of bone broth and other gentle liquids. I have a free ebook on how to deal with a flare up over a 24 hour period- which is free to download; but I only advise following it if your symptoms are mild or you’ve already spoken to your doctor.
10. Why Am I So Tired?
To be honest, I’m asking this myself as my eyes are closing while typing- thank god I’ve made it number 10. Fatigue is a common part of IBD. It can be for several reasons…
- Diarrhea causes loss of electrolytes, dehydration and general loss of energy.
- Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, magnesium and B vits can all contribute to low energy levels.
- Blood sugar issues can be caused by stress; meaning high and low sugar highs- especially if you struggle to get into regular eating patterns.
I made it to the end of my post without falling asleep! I am really proud of this post; I have written lots of IBD posts but they’re all scattered all over the place so I am hoping this will be a really helpful resource for anyone with IBD that likes to do their research! As always I try to keep my posts as accurate as possible with links to research where I can. If you’ve liked my post, you can also read my other IBD posts or download my free IBD ebooks!
