Crohn’s disease is a chronic health condition that can worsen when a person experiences stress. This may be because stress causes inflammation. Learning how to manage stress can help minimize Crohn’s disease flare-ups.
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1. Understand Your Needs and Triggers
2. Set Boundaries and Plan Ahead
Stressis often discussed as a cause of Crohn’s disease. Though this is not true, stress is a common trigger.
Crohn’s disease can cause sudden bowel movement urges andincontinence.One way to reduce the stress surrounding this is to plan ahead when leaving home. This may include knowing where bathrooms are, paying attention to the body when it gives signals for a bowel movement, and more.
3. Use Medications and Supplements to Manage Symptoms
Many medications treat Crohn’s disease. No treatment works for everyone. A healthcare provider will determine which medications are best for reducing flares, minimizing symptoms, and keeping a person in remission.
Some medications for Crohn’s disease include:
People with Crohn’s disease may not absorb enough vitamins and minerals. Therefore, a healthcare provider may suggest taking supplements.
4. Give Yourself Structure and Prioritize Tasks
Everyday activities and tasks can feel overwhelming for anyone who is sick or has achronic illness.
A 2023 study analysis looked at people with chronic diseases. They found that patients had a difficult time with self-management. The study suggested looking at a chronic disease as a job. Researchers described how forming a job description can help patients understand the necessary work to manage their illness.
They wrote that understanding the tasks and what knowledge, skills, and resources were required to perform the “job” enabled patients to better advocate for themselves and set them up for better success in managing their illness.
5. Think About Your Work or School Life
Crohn’s disease does not stop for work or school life. For those who work, Crohn’s disease is classified as a disability. They can qualify for reasonable accommodations under theAmerican Disability Act (ADA).
Some accommodations may include unlimited bathroom breaks, stopping testing as needed, or permission to make up class time due to medical appointments.
6. Exercise Regularly
If someone is experiencing a Crohn’s disease flare, they will likely feel very tired and fatigued. During this time, resting and allowing the body to recover are best.
7. Maintain Consistent Self-Care
Crohn’s disease can makeself-caredifficult, let alone consistent self-care. But trying to do at least one thing each day that brings joy or health into your life can positively impact you.
Self-care will not only help promote physical well-being but also mental well-being. It could be exercising, maintaining asleep schedule, or eating healthy food. Whatever it is, a consistent self-care program will become a habit and feel like an everyday activity.
8. Lean Into Meditation
Meditationis a way to help reduce stress and relax. It may be especially beneficial in people with Crohn’s disease. Below are ways to meditate to relieve stress:
9. Try Stress Management Techniques
Along with meditation, stress management techniques can help. Below are a few techniques that can ease stress in those with Crohn’s disease:
10. Fit in Things That Bring You Joy
Another way to reduce stress and manage Crohn’s symptoms is to find things that bring you joy. This is another way to bring self-care into your life while still pushing through the daily needs of living with Crohn’s disease.
11. Get Support
Crohn’s is a lifelong condition that will have its ups and downs. Finding a support group will be an important part of the journey and can involve anyone from friends, families,social workers, healthcare providers, or local Crohn’s disease support groups.
TheCrohn’s & Colitis Foundationhas an online database to search for local support groups. Talking to people who are and have experienced similar symptoms, difficulties, and situations can be both reassuring and validating.
12. Things Loved Ones Can Do
Family and friends of those with Crohn’s disease may wonder how they can help. Sometimes, helping may just mean lending an ear. Other times, it can mean helping with errands or cooking. Below are tangible ways a loved one can help someone who has Crohn’s disease:
Learning more about Crohn’s disease can also show a loved one how much you care about them and what they are going through. It can provide a new perspective on the disease’s progress.
Understanding the Connection
One of the reasons stress can cause worsening Crohn’s disease is the connection between the gut and the brain, also known as thegut-brain axis. This connection means that psychological stress can affect digestion and digestive health. It also means that worsening digestive health can have a negative effect on mental health.
The other connection between stress and Crohn’s disease is how stress causes inflammation. People with Crohn’s disease already have a sensitive gut, and when stress releases hormones, it can cause gut inflammation. This can worsen symptoms.
Signs Your Symptoms Are Getting Worse
Common Crohn’s disease symptoms include:
When Crohn’s disease gets worse the additional symptoms may include:
Summary
Crohn’s disease is a chronic health condition that can worsen when a person experiences stress. Though stress cannot be completely eliminated, certain strategies can reduce it. Meditation, leaning on friends and family, and support groups can all help cope with stress and body changes. Always talk to a healthcare provider if Crohn’s disease symptoms change or worsen.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Crohn’s disease.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.Kleman C, Magnus JM, Andrews M, et al.The work of managing a chronic illness: a job description.J Eval Clin Pract. 2023 Feb;29(1):166-180. doi:10.1111/jep.13754Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Employee and employer resources.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.School accommodation plans & inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Harvard Health Publishing.Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress.Cornell University.Stress management strategies.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Stress and IBD: breaking the vicious cycle.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Crohn’s disease.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.Kleman C, Magnus JM, Andrews M, et al.The work of managing a chronic illness: a job description.J Eval Clin Pract. 2023 Feb;29(1):166-180. doi:10.1111/jep.13754Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Employee and employer resources.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.School accommodation plans & inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Harvard Health Publishing.Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress.Cornell University.Stress management strategies.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Stress and IBD: breaking the vicious cycle.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Crohn’s disease.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.Kleman C, Magnus JM, Andrews M, et al.The work of managing a chronic illness: a job description.J Eval Clin Pract. 2023 Feb;29(1):166-180. doi:10.1111/jep.13754Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Employee and employer resources.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.School accommodation plans & inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Exercise.Harvard Health Publishing.Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress.Cornell University.Stress management strategies.Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Stress and IBD: breaking the vicious cycle.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Crohn’s disease.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Kleman C, Magnus JM, Andrews M, et al.The work of managing a chronic illness: a job description.J Eval Clin Pract. 2023 Feb;29(1):166-180. doi:10.1111/jep.13754
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Employee and employer resources.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.School accommodation plans & inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Exercise.
Harvard Health Publishing.Six relaxation techniques to reduce stress.
Cornell University.Stress management strategies.
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Stress and IBD: breaking the vicious cycle.
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