Easing Cramps with or Without Ulcerative Colitis

The problem with cramping, is that it can be caused by factors other than those caused by ulcerative colitis, and, many of the causes of cramping are the same whether you have ulcerative colitis or not.

I was surprised to learn that the average person passes gas at least a dozen times a day. I did know that the actual cramping we ulcerative colitis sufferers encounter is caused by gas and air or, the ingestion of the wrong foods. In discussing the issue of dealing with cramping we are assuming it is not a true ulcerative colitis flare that requires medical attention.

When you talk or eat you swallow air. It is important to keep your emotions in check so that you aren't creating ammo for gas pains. When you get excited and speak and/or eat fast, you will swallow more air and increase your chances for a cramping encounter.

Ulcerative colitis sufferers have known for a long time that many causes of cramping are caused by the very foods that the general population views as healthy. That includes fruits and vegetables and even the all-important fiber. All of these foods can cause problems and yet, to not get enough carbohydrates and proteins may not give a person the strength to fight the illness.

Another major cause of cramping is that all people have bacteria in their bowel which interacts with carbohydrates to create gas.

The best thing you can do to deal with cramping is to minimize its occurrence by avoiding the wrong foods, exercising; making sure the illness is under control and drinking water. Oh, and avoid stress.

What we want to consider, however, is how to deal with the cramps when they are already occurring. First, what I do is take Mylanta and one Valium before going out as a preventative.

If I am struck by cramping I try and focus on something else. If it is persistent and I am out alone, I go home; I drink some Peppermint Tea and put a heating pad on my stomach.

If I am in a social situation, I try to focus away from the symptoms. If I cannot relax and bring it under control then I go to the restroom and hope against hope that I will emit gas or have a bowel movement. I have found that almost all people are slow to feel slighted by an unexpected restroom visit and usually understand if you are forced to explain the circumstances. Unfortunately, there might be times when you have to excuse yourself for the evening.

So we have talked about what causes cramps and how to get by yourself but how do you ease them; that is our question.

First, as I said, this "advice" presupposes" that you are not having a physical flare that requires medical attention or can only be resolved with the restarting of medication.

If I have a bout of cramping even after I have taken all the precautions I know how to take this is what I do.

First I do the one thing I don't feel like doing and that is I drink a glass or two of lukewarm water. It seems that this new "pressure" somehow eases the "hyper activity" that is occurring. Next I take a Valium. Some people say a relaxant is not a good idea because it can slow down bowel activity but that is just why I use it. You can have gas and air and it can move through pretty painlessly as long as your colon isn't jerking in an abnormal way.

I should have said really, the first thing I do is say a prayer and believe me it is not a lengthy "epistle"; it is a fervent plea to "please take this pain away".

Finally I remove all outer garments down to underwear only. The reason is that slacks with or even without a belt put pressure on the colon and sometimes when I take my pants off the cramps ease very fast.

Finally I lay on my left side (that is the side that will expedite gas movement the best), much like the fetal position and get into a little rocking rhythm. At the same time I rub my stomach in a circular motion and close my eyes. There is something soothing for me about this and very often either the gas will pass quickly; I will have a bowel movement, or, the cramping will just subside.

I think this can work for people. Of course not everyone will benefit from it but I believe many people could; it is really a form of "active, physical meditation". Additionally all of us have different levels of pain tolerance so where one person may have to go home another may be able to "tough through" the cramping.

You know if you have ulcerative colitis or even if you don't, you should get to know your body and understand how certain foods will act within the bowel. I can't stress exercise and ample fluids (water) enough because that moves the gas through.

Take care of yourself physically; know what causes cramping; take precautions and try to minimize your stress and you will minimize your cramping episodes. When a cramping episode does occur try my method and it may give you the relief you seek.

Reference:

mayoclinic.com