Emotional Stress

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Emotional Stress and it�s Side Effects

For years, many people have argued that forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including Crohn�s Disease, is caused by emotional stress, tension, and anxiety; this, however, is completely inaccurate. While there may be links to emotional stress and Crohn�s Disease, it is not a cause of the disorder.

A common misconception is that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, these differ considerably. IBD causes inflammation of the intestines and is not caused psychological factors. On the other hand, there is a strong link in emotional issues contributing to IBS.

While some may argue Crohn�s Disease is caused by being overly emotional, it is in fact an inappropriate response of the immune system and no correlation to the disease and psychological issues. However, emotions may play a role in how a person deals with Crohn�s Disease.

In dealing with any chronic disease, people may find difficulty is coping with the long term effects of their medical condition. As a result, people with Crohn�s may become depressed or suffer other psychological issues, such as severe anxiety or dependency. As Crohn�s often causes excessive diarrhea and gas, it is sometimes embarrassing for people to go out in public, possibly leading to reclusion. Likewise, travel becomes more difficult, which may lead to feelings of loss of freedom. Long term pain also causes emotional complications, as well as long term use of pain medications.

While Crohn�s Disease may cause emotional stress, there has also been a reverse connection recognized: meaning stress may cause flare-ups of complications in patients already affected by Crohn�s Disease. Through extremely emotional times, a person may notice an increase in severity of diarrhea, gas, and pain.

If psychological issues become a hindrance in daily life, it may be necessary to seek professional help. While medication is not typically needed, simply acquiring support may be very beneficial. This may also be accomplished by joining support groups or conversing with other people that suffer from the same or similar disorders.

For peace of mind, there are also other steps that you can take to reduce stress as a result of Crohn�s Disease. Carrying a change of clothes with you, familiarizing yourself with your surroundings, including location of bathrooms, and being aware of your body�s reaction to certain foods will ease anxiety when you are out and about and prepare you for possible issues that may arise.

Other Side Effects of Emotional Stress

Have you ever noticed that you get sick or injure yourself just as you are recovering from an emotionally trying event? In one way or another, you manage to stay pulled together and focused through the crisis -- then, just when you can let down and relax a little, your low back goes into spasm, you get a migraine, or you come down with the worst flu imaginable! How can we explain the body's reactions to emotional change and stress? And better yet, what can we do about it? True, we cannot avoid change and its associated stress if we want to live full and eventful lives. Nor would we want to -- it is unhealthy and unrewarding to reach a plateau and never move from it. Closing a relationship, learning to be alone, and forming new relationships are all major life changes and deserve to be acknowledged as such. However, they don't need to make us sick! When we are going through periods of change, there are three things to remember in order to preserve good health.

First acknowledge that this is a time of transition. It is not the time to coast along and simply hope for the best. This is the time to assess your physical and mental strengths, and to make the most of them. Use your faith, insight and sense of humor for all they are worth. These intangible qualities are part of what make you unique. And they play a tremendously important role in your ability to maintain physical health.

Secondly, don't be afraid to seek out a qualified team of professionals to help you maintain your health. Look for chiropractors and other hands-on professionals who will work with you as an individual, not as a set of symptoms. Try different practitioners and techniques until you find the right team for you. If you are in transition, anxious or depressed, your nervous system is already overloaded. As with any overloaded electrical system, it will only handle so much before it breaks down, resulting in illness or injury. Your nervous system is capable of handling huge amounts of information input. It takes in all it is given, filters it, and creates appropriate reactions. These may take the form of actions and verbal responses, or such things as changes in blood pressure, body temperature or immune responses. Since the nervous system is the monitor of the immune system, it is essential that it remain fully functioning. A depressed nervous system will invariably result in a poor immune response to outside invaders. A person who is tried, nervous, and worried will be susceptible to colds, flus and the like.

How to keep a healthy nervous system? What could be better than a regular routine consisting of proper diet, exercise, adequate rest, positive mental and spiritual work, and qualified hands-on healing work, such as chiropractic?

All of the above listed habits, done on a regular basis, will dramatically increase your resilience. As you begin to feel more physically strong and flexible, your emotional strength and flexibility will increase as well. Others will notice your newfound health and self-confidence radiating from you. Which brings us to point number three in the quest for excellent health while your life is in transition. Take time to step back and notice your progress. A healthy and integrated body/mind should be applauded. Don't just avoid illness, maximize your health!