Amy's Top 5
(These tips are purely my opinion and are what have helped me in certain situations. I thought I would share them to help others. Be sure to talk to your doctor for medical advice)
tips on going out/leaving the house with IBD1. always bring extra underwear- keep a pair in your purse, bag, car, wherever. This will be a lifesaver. 2. know where the bathrooms are- most of us already do this when we're in a new place. Figure out where the bathrooms are, so when you have to go, you know where to go. 3. bring ibuprofen- abdominal cramps can come at any time, and most often, at the most inconvenient time. 4. let your friends know- this will allow them to understand and know why you might have to go to the bathroom multiple times while you're out. 5. SMILE- a great attitude will help you stay happy and not let an accident ruin your time out. Activities for a flare up1. read a book- reading has always been one of my favorite things to do. 2. watch Netflix- (or any TV) it's the perfect time to catch up on all of the shows and movies. 3. play board games- perfect opportunity to get your mind off of the flare. 4. spend time with family- even though you may rather be curled up in a ball, spending time with them may help mentally. 5. sleep- sometimes all we need to feel a little better is some rest. ways to sleep better with UC1. eat earlier in the day- most people have to go to the bathroom after they eat. 2. avoid trigger foods- caffeine can stimulate bowel movements and keep you up. 3. consider sleep position- sleeping on the side that the bowel is most inflamed can worsen symptoms. 4. routine- try sleeping at approximately the same time every night. 5. talk to health care provider- if sleep deprivation is due to IBD, they will be able to help treat it. How to support someone with a Chronic Illness1. Open mind- believe them when they are confiding in you about their pain. Many feel isolated when others don't believe that something is wrong. 2. Ask- ask what you can do for them to help, instead of assuming you know how to help. 3. Apologize- apologize when you think you may have crossed a line. Words can have a big impact. 4. Research- read up on their illness a little bit so you know what they are talking about, and can better help them. 5. Be present- Showing up in person to spend time with someone is a great way to support. Just making someone feel like they aren't alone can go a long way. |
tips on being gluten free1. read food labels- sometimes there will be a GF label on the packaging, however, some don't say that they are GF even when they are. Reading labels allows you to identify these foods. 2. know the menu- if you know you are going out to eat, and you are on a strict diet, be sure to look at the menu before heading out and research your options. 3. watch for hidden sources- gluten is often hidden in foods that we wouldn't think twice about. Ex. soups, soy sauce, condiments, etc. The best tip here, if you're unsure, ask or choose something else. 4. Don't do it alone- diets can be really hard to stick with and it's even harder to maintain motivation alone. Whether you're doing it with someone, or they know about it, they are able to hold you accountable. 5. Make your own food- when you're cooking yourself, you know exactly what goes into the food. This ensures that no hidden gluten products slip through. ways to deal with abdominal pain1. massage- massaging your abdomen can help relax the muscles 2. medication- NSAIDS such as ibuprofen can provide some relief 3. Change diet- this would include avoiding trigger foods that cause abdominal pain. This may minimize the intensity of cramps in the future 4. yoga- this is a way to ease abdominal pain and can reduce anxiety and joint pain. Yoga is often used to relieve stress which can be a trigger causing this pain. 5. HEATING PAD- this will become your best friend. Applying heat allows the muscles to relax, which eases the pain. Dealing with IBD in college1. keep medical contacts handy- this includes knowing your doctor's name, address, phone number, pharmacy, and understanding health insurance. 2. be ready for emergencies- since college students are always on the go, flare ups can happen at any time. Always carry your medicine list, pillbox, change of clothes, wipes, etc. 3. inform your university- file paperwork with your college's disability office which will help if you have to miss days because of your disease. 4. talk to professors- if you miss a class, they are more likely to understand and be accommodating if they knew beforehand. 5. ask peers for help- finding fellow students who will share notes with you if you miss a class is crucial. Sharing with them, even allows you to educate them a little. Mental Wellbeing1. Express your feelings- let someone know if something is bothering you instead of bottling your feelings up inside. 2. Strive for balance- find a healthy balance between work and play. 3. Manage stress- learn coping mechanism to help deal with everyday stress. 4. Find purpose and meaning- figure out what is important in your life and begin focusing on the things that are meaningful to you. 5. Be aware of your emotions- know what makes you sad, happy, frustrated, etc. |