Diet & Strees

Diet
There’s no firm causative relation between diet and inflammatory bowel disease But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your signs and symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It’s a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:

Experiment with fiber

For most people, high-fiber foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains are the foundation of a healthy diet. But in inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables cause symptoms, try steaming, baking them. Some can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, patients tend to have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods such as raw apples and carrots.

Avoid problem foods

. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make symptoms worse. These may include "gassy" foods such as beans, cabbage and raw fruit juices and fruits-especially citrus fruits-spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine such as chocolate and soda.

Eat small meals

You may find you feel better eating five or six small meals rather than two or three larger ones.

Drink plenty of liquids

Try to drink plenty of fluids daily. Water is best. Alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine stimulate Intestines and can make diarrhea worse, while carbonated drinks frequently produce gas.

Ask about multivitamins

Because these diseases can interfere with your ability to absorb nutrients and because your diet may be limited, vitamin and mineral (calcium and iron) supplements can play a key role in supplying missing nutrients. They don't provide essential protein and calories, however, and shouldn't be a substitute for meals.

Talk to a dietitian

If you begin to lose weight or your diet has become very limited, talk to a registered dietitian.

Stress
Although stress doesn’t cause inflammatory bowel disease, it can make the symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups. Stressful events can range from minor annoyances to a move, job loss or the death of a loved one.
Stress changes normal digestive process. Stomach empties more slowly and secretes more acid. Stress can also speed or slow the passage of intestinal contents. It may also cause changes in intestinal tissue itself.
Although it’s not always possible to avoid stress, one can learn ways to help manage it. Some of these include:

Exercise

Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function.

Regular exercise, yoga, massage or meditation

These can all be effective ways to relieve stress. One can take classes in yoga and meditation or practice at home using books or tapes.

Deep breathing

Most adults breathe from their chests. But you become calmer when you breathe from your diaphragm the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. When you inhale, allow your belly to expand with air; when you exhale, your abdomen naturally contracts. Deep breathing can also help relax your abdominal muscles, which may lead to more normal bowel activity.

Other techniques

Set aside at least 20 minutes a day for any activity you find relaxing-listening to music, reading, playing computer games or just soaking in a warm bath.