Exercise Can Help Those Living with IBD. relation between exercise and IBD

"Exercise for IBD: How to Get Moving and Feel Better"

exercise and IBD, Gina Pettit, age 24, was overwhelmed and stressed during her junior year of college due to demanding coursework. As a fitness instructor, she attempted to alleviate her stress through exercise, but it only worsened things. Pettit began to experience severe health symptoms, such as uncontrollable diarrhea, a 20-pound weight loss, and a week-long hospital stay. She was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and had to take a month off from teaching fitness classes.

Upon returning to work, Pettit struggled to regain her strength and stamina. Regular exercise can be challenging for individuals with digestive conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis, or severe gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).

However, research has shown that exercise and restorative practices like yoga and Pilates can help alleviate symptoms and reduce stress levels, which is especially important for individuals with IBD, a group of digestive system disorders that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Why exercise can be a challenge

Exercising regularly can be difficult for people with inflammatory conditions, especially during an attack. David Padua, MD, Ph.D., a gastroenterologist at UCLA who also heads the Padua Lab specializing in digestive system diseases, has noticed that many of his patients struggle with exercising due to their symptoms. “With conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, systemic inflammation can lead to fatigue,” Padova explains. “It can also cause anemia and different types of IBD can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

All these factors can leave a person tired and unable to exercise.” However, not all patients have the same experience. While some people can still exercise, others can play tennis, do jiu-jitsu, and even run marathons, according to Shannon Chang, MD, a gastroenterologist at the New York University Langone Medical Center. Ultimately, a person’s ability to exercise depends on their health and current inflammation levels.

Benefits of exercise for gastrointestinal conditions

Individuals with digestive conditions may struggle to maintain a regular exercise routine, but research indicates that higher activity levels can lead to fewer symptoms, particularly Crohn’s disease. One study published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Disease discovered that exercise was linked to a reduced risk of future flares in people with IBD in recovery.

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However, these findings are inconclusive. Chang states that “there is some indication that moderate physical activity and exercise can help control the disease.” However, experts are uncertain if this is because individuals in remission can undertake more exercise or if more exercise results in fewer symptoms. Overall, experts concur that exercise is beneficial. “The data is somewhat inconsistent, but overall, exercise in moderation is advantageous for individuals with IBD,” Padua explains. Pettit, now a speech-language pathologist who teaches PiYo fitness and INSANITY classes, affirms that exercise has always assisted her in managing Crohn’s disease.

Regular exercise results in fewer symptoms. “I would say that exercise helps keep me calm,” Pettit explains. “Even before my diagnosis, I always noticed my symptoms were less severe when working out.”

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The benefits go beyond forgiveness.

Physical activity has benefits beyond keeping digestive ailments at bay.

1. Anti-inflammatory stress reliever

Healthcare professionals commonly believe stress can trigger flare-ups in individuals with inflammatory digestive conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and gastroesophageal reflux. Patients often report experiencing outbreaks during stressful events such as switching jobs, moving, or relationship issues. Although the scientific link between stress and flare-ups is not entirely understood, clinicians frequently hear such stories. Restorative practices like yoga can help improve the mind-body connection and reduce stress levels, which can, in turn, help reduce inflammation.

One article published in BioMed Research International found that moderate exercise may help strengthen the immune response and improve mental health in people with IBD. It may also help improve quality of life and reduce stress levels.

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2. Improve bone health

A notable advantage of physical activity for individuals with celiac disease is enhancing their bone density, as stated by Padova. People with specific digestive conditions may struggle to maintain good bone health due to prolonged steroid use or difficulty absorbing vitamin D and calcium. Padova clarifies that engaging in aerobic exercise and strength training can bolster bone resistance, which requires developing fortification. Consequently, this leads to an improvement in bone density.

Exercising with a gastrointestinal disease may:

  • Improve bone density
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Strengthening immunity
  • prolongation of remission
  • Improve the quality of life
  • Reduce stress

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Best practices for practicing with gastroenterology

If you have celiac disease and find it difficult to exercise, try these steps to return to a safe and healthy exercise routine.

1. Talk to your medical provider

If you are uncertain about your body’s capability, seek advice from a healthcare professional. According to Padua, it’s advisable to consult with your medical provider before engaging in any physical activity, particularly if you have digestive problems.

2. Find the right balance

It’s common for individuals to adopt an all-or-nothing mindset when exercising, which can sometimes be risky, warns Padova. However, it’s also important not to be overly gentle with yourself. According to Lindsay Lombardi, a personal trainer from the Philadelphia region who specializes in helping clients with digestive problems, finding balance is crucial. Lombardi suggests that you don’t need to treat yourself as fragile as glass but instead find a healthy balance between pushing yourself and not being too apprehensive.

3. With strength training, choose your circuit-based exercise

If weight training piques your interest, Lombardi suggests beginning with circuits. This weightlifting form can maintain your heart rate while being less demanding than powerlifting. Pettitt advises individuals to opt for this more straightforward exercise routine. She recommends commencing with a low-impact activity like a bodyweight strength-training class.

4. For intervals, start with a low to medium-impact workout

If you’re seeking to enhance your cardiovascular health, Lombardi recommends beginning with interval training. Begin with low to moderate-impact intervals and gradually progress to higher intensity levels if your body permits.

5. Incorporate restorative work into your routine

When dealing with inflammatory digestive diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, it is crucial to establish a strong connection between the mind and body to alleviate stress. According to Lombardi, the most effective exercise for gut healing is a therapeutic approach like yoga and Pilates, which promote a mind-body connection and offer movements that benefit the digestive system.

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6. Listen to your body

To find the exercise that suits you best, Lombardi suggests trying out different options. Consider joining a training class and observing how you feel. If it exacerbates your symptoms, switch to something like Barry. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable practicing yoga, gradually increase your activity level and experiment with Pilates.

If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to switch up your routine. A fitness enthusiast, Pettit adjusts her exercise regime when her Crohn’s condition flares up. “When I experience fatigue, irritability, or joint pain, I have to make changes,” she explains.

Remember, the type of exercise you choose is not as important as maintaining an active lifestyle. Lombardi emphasizes that any physical activity, from lifting weights to practicing gentle yoga, can benefit gut issues. The key is to keep your body moving.

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