subject: Easing The Stresses When Living With Colitis [print this page] Being given a colitis diagnosis can feel devastating yet it should not be the signal that enjoyment of life is over and that years of ill health will follow. Yet sufferers need to recognise that they now have what can be a debilitating disease and should therefore make some alterations to their lifestyle and daily routines to ensure the stress is eased when living with colitis.
Simple routines that are introduced can have a significant bearing on whether someone diagnosed with colitis can be more or less prone to experiencing symptoms, whether these are just brief or the prelude to a full flare up. Having regard to a diet that does not put pressure on the colon or antagonise the ulceration is immensely important as is the requirement to ensure the body is receiving adequate amounts of quality sleep. There will be times when the sufferer can feel drained with perhaps some evidence of mild symptoms. This is the time to stop routines and give the body and mind sufficient rest which can mean having to miss work and other daily commitments including those relating to family and social matters. It will also require the strict adherence to the taking of all prescribed medication whether the sypmtoms are in remission or otherwise.
It is essential that those with colitis receive support from others in the immediate family. The consequences of the disease should be understood by everyone and pressure, both mental and physical, should not be imposed unduly as the disease has the ability to appear from nowhere even when the person does not feel that they have been under pressure or stress. Even during lengthy remission periods, care and foresight should be used to ensure any risks with health are reduced to a minimum.
There will have to be visits undertaken to a hospital that should not be avoided. Anyone living with colitis should have a colonoscopy to check and record the condition of the large colon. This will occur at diagnosis and then at approximately five years intervals. A sufferer should research exactly what the process involves in order to reduce the stressful anticipation of such a medical procedure. There are those who have to be admitted to hospital when their condition requires some more intense care to bring the symptoms under control. Again, the sufferer requires to make themselves aware of the medical significance of a stay in hospital and, very importantly, how to ensure the time spent is as short and beneficial as possible.
As can be seen, with some level of awareness of the condition and some foresight of the consequences of daily activities, those living with colitis do not need to live in fear of the disease but also they can avoid imposing on themselves stresses and incorrect actions and behaviours that can, as a consequence, create the conditions that colitis will thrive from. Through a little thought and awareness, a person's daily life does not have to alter much after being diagnosed.
