Using Saunas to Help with Ulcerative Colitis Flare-ups

In addition to the exercise programs outlined in my other two articles, sauna is another great way to help mitigate one's experience with ulcerative colitis. Personally, sweating has always made me feel better, feel detoxified. Sometimes my symptoms are bad even when I've been eating healthily (I can usually attribute the flare to stress). However, when I've been living less than healthfully, then my flare-ups are infinitely worse. Induced sweating, whether through exercise or through dry heat, such as that of a sauna, helps my lymph get moving throughout my body, thus driving out the toxins that I've accumulated.

I've only used a sauna three times, but each time, I felt very pacified. Tired, yes, but also so relaxed, so relaxed in fact that any potential stomach problems are the last thing on my mind. This could explain why each time I've gone, I would have a lack of symptoms, which is a wonderful thing, since my symptoms usually flare up on a daily basis, at any time of the day. Also, I think the key to my success with the sauna, is that I didn't stay in for two long. I don't stay until I become faint, I don't let myself overheat, and I drink plenty of water before and afterwards. I took a cool shower afterwards, and it felt so reinvigorating. In fact, I'd advise it; I couldn't imagine walking around like a zombie (for that's kind of how you feel). In short, a cool shower is a highly recommended pick-me-up.

While you're lying in the sauna room, try what I've done: imagine the heat all around you centering in on your abdomen, filling you full with its healing powers. Imagine the circulation of blood to your stomach, feel your core become saturated with this light, this intense heat. After I came out of the sauna the first time I did this, I felt protected in my stomach, which is unusual and the experience was enlightening. Could it be possible that a lot of my digestive problems and pain stem from a deep-rooted feeling of not having my "core" protected? Of feeling vulnerable in some way? This is something I hope to explore in a future article. Stay tuned!