Sleeping with Ulcerative Colitis: Success Starts in the Day

If you have ulcerative colitis you have had those nights when you can't sleep. You have had those nights when there is a discomfort that you can't identify; a discomfort that you can identify as severe cramping and then, of course, there are those nights where you spend all your time in the restroom. The next day you set yourself up for another bad night because you are exhausted and collapse and ultimately you get your days and nights mixed up.

One of the very worst things to do is to take over-the-counter medications to induce sleep from the many available "PM" brands. You are doing something to your body that your doctor is unaware of and further, it isn't being monitored. One of the things that many people are unaware of is that one's body will develop a tolerance for medications that are of a narcotic or sedative nature. It will take more and more medication to get the same effect.

When you can't sleep and you are staring at the ceiling, it is difficult to much care what is proper and improper; "just let me please get to sleep!" is what goes through most people's minds.

I recall some advice I received at a weekend marriage "getaway" through our church. The issue was sex and the further issue was that men typically want more than they are getting and, women wish it were a little better. A little archaic perhaps, however, still somewhat true I'll wager.

To the doltish males at the conference it was suggested that their success in the bedroom at night started with their behavior in the morning. I have found over the years that it is true and, when you stop and think about it doesn't it make sense? After all, what woman is going to feel romantic after being ignored and mistreated all day? Of course, that doesn't even take into consideration the feeling of exhaustion if she is getting no help around the house.

Perhaps we can transfer that thinking to ulcerative colitis; "a well-treated bowel in the day gives its owner peace throughout the night".

The issues that keep flares down have to do with good hydration (typically water); good control of stress; exercise; good diet (no "20-alarm" chili!) and, avoidance of such things as alcohol and cigarettes.

In addition to effective daily routines (and routines are part of effective treatment), making certain that well-known flare avoidance techniques are used even more avidly will aid in a good night's sleep. This would include taking your last meal much earlier; staying away from any type of caffeine and drinking alcohol late.

The truth is, management of the condition of ulcerative colitis is what will give one a good nights' sleep. It is nearly impossible to be symptomatic or in the middle of a flare and think you will get any kind of relief when you put your head on that pillow.

What many people do is to try and override the discomfort with either prescription or over-the-counter "knockout" drugs which aren't only ineffective but, they add to the overall problem by becoming habit forming.

Good sleep starts with good ulcerative colitis hygiene habits in the day. How you treat your ulcerative colitis condition during the day is how it will treat you at night!

Reference:

ibdcrohns.about.com