Stress plays a prominent role in provoking UC inflammation, research shows. During this March 2020, stress has affected much of the globe as people grow concerned regarding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the workplace disruption, the stress of stocking up, arranging for childcare, etc.
However, for UC patients it is important to remember that stress can worsen gut inflammation or even trigger a flare. Medical research suggests that:
“Acute psychologic stress induces systemic and mucosal proinflammatory responses, which could contribute to exacerbations of UC in ordinary life. ” [Mawdsley et al. 2006]
“Oxidative stress has long been known as a pathogenic factor of ulcerative colitis (UC) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC)” [Wang et al. 2015]
More research points to stress playing a role in UC relapse, i.e. to the onset of a flare [Bitton et al. 2003]. It’s something you might have suspected from your experience.
For UC patients, it is especially important to avoid a flare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health services may become overwhelmed, wait times may increase, and hospitals may themselves become places of contagion.
In uncertain and stressful times, we hope you make an effort to reduce stress levels. Our 6 Tips to help reduce stress even as you practice social distancing:
- It’s OK to talk about stress. A burden shared is a burden halved. Being anxious during this pandemic is normal. Sharing with your loved ones what is stressing you out and acknowledging stress can help reduce anxiety.
- Sleep well. Allow yourself at least 7-8 hours every night. Good sleep helps better control stress.
- Consider the time spent reading news. Allow yourself to consume less news if this is a source of stress. You may find it helpful checking the news in the morning and evening for 30 min from reputable sources to reduce news exposure and ensuing stress.
- Consider meditation and yoga. Even a 10-minute meditation session which can help better control stress and reduce anxiety.
- Take a relaxing bath. Away from work and news updates, a relaxing bath can help build mental distance from the things that make you stressed.
- Distract yourself from stress, if possible. Even in these tough times, a movie, an hour playing with your child and pet, or a delicious dinner can bring the much-needed distraction from stress.
Sending you our love and care. We are all in this together.