IBD Flare Do's and Don'ts
DO:
Share and ask for help - Talk to people that you trust and are comfortable with, like your family and friends. If you feel yourself going into a flare-up, or in one already, tell them what is happening and how the flare-up is affecting you. Not only will this help you feel better, but they may also offer help and support.
Get in touch with your IBD team or doctor- it is important to get stool and blood tests done and follow their instructions for treatment additions or escalations if necessary. It is necessary for medical professionals to intervene and see how your body is reacting and whether the flare is of concern or easing off.
Take it easy - reduce intense physical activity and instead try gentle movement like walking, yoga, swimming and if even this feels too much don't worry. Take some time off work, if you can, as the body needs time to rest and recover. Work may cause extra stress and during a flare-up that is not needed as the focus should be yourself and getting better. Stress can worsen symptoms. Evidence also shows that stress can negatively affect our gut, so it is important to stay as stress-free as possible during a flare. Sources of stress not only include work but also social media, intense TV shows or poor company and it is important to limit access to these to get better. Additionally, other calming techniques such as meditation and mindfulness could also be of help; mental health apps could be useful too.
Adapt the textures of your diet to be smoother rather than excluding foods completely - e.g. cooking, steaming, mashing, and blending foods or making soups or smoothies can really help increase tolerance of foods. Soups and smoothies can be helpful when we don’t have much of an appetite. During a flare-up, eating nutrient-dense foods is the main goal and are needed to nourish the body properly. Do not let yourself be hungry or dehydrated, even if it is just small amounts of food, try to eat what you can.
Stay hydrated - this is especially important if you have diarrhea - sip water or herbal teas throughout the day to help. Oral re-hydration solutions may also be needed.
Go easy on yourself - although it feels like your body is working against you, it’s going through a lot so be gentle with yourself. It is important to surround yourself with things that make you feel better- wear cosy pyjamas, a hot water bottle for your stomach, peppermint or another herbal tea, and your favourite TV show. A self-care evening may be the best thing for you!
DON’T
Leave it too long before getting help from your IBD team - medical professionals can suggest ways and methods of self-help and whether referral to a specialist is required. They can also recognize if medications need to be changed or altered. Hence, listen to your body and accordingly seek help.
Blame yourself - you did not cause your IBD or your flare-up. The cause of IBD is yet to be known and slowly evidence suggests that our environment plays a large part in the onset of IBD and flares. Hence, it is important to be aware of factors that trigger your IBD but always remember, it is not your fault.
Feel guilty for cancelling plans – talking to people you truly trust will make you feel supported when you feel like you are unable to make plans. Let them know that all the support you need is them simply understanding when you are not well enough to leave the house and would prefer to stay in.
Restrict your diet too much - you may find there are certain foods that really don't agree with you but restricting your diet too much in a flare is not helpful. Energy requirements increase during a flare so try eating little and often rather than big meals if that feels better for you.
Overconsume common symptom trigger foods and drinks. Reduce:
Caffeine- a stimulant which can get your intestines going, so avoid during a flare-up especially if you have diarrhoea
Alcohol - is also a stimulant
Spicy foods - may worsen symptoms
Fried foods- these have a lot of fat and can worsen diarrhoea
REMEMBER - Flare-ups are very individual, and each person’s diet or management of their flare-up will be different. Some foods may work better for people whilst others may not tolerate it at all. The goal should be to stick to nutrient-dense foods to help nourish the body, particularly when energy requirements increase and drink lots of water or other fluids to stay hydrated.
If you want support with your diet, nutrition and IBD journey we can help.
At The NALM Clinic we have me (Clemmie), an IBD specialist Nutritional Therapist, and specialist gastroenterology Dietician (Jess) and and we are here to support you. We both have IBD too so we ‘get it’ and are so passionate about helping others.
If you would like support with your IBD please book a call with me via the button below.
I have also written a free e-book to help you find a way forward for your everyday life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Whether you are right at the beginning of your journey with IBD or have been living with your condition for years and feel like you have tried almost everything, there are things you can do everyday, beyond the medication you are taking, to help you take back control.
Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.