Most everyone who suffers from ulcerative colitis has had to deal with the problem of gas pain. Some gas pain is just a mild annoyance, while other gas pain is so bad that it will double a person up. In my case, I have had it so bad that I have felt like I was going to pass out and I have sweated profusely.
Before discussing coping with gas pain, however, it is important that a person with ulcerative colitis not jump to the conclusion that the “gas pain” they are feeling is a reaction to gas from their ulcerative colitis. Acute conditions such as diverticulitis and appendicitis may be at play.
Several months after I had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I had a terrible attack of what I thought was gas pain. It turned out to be a gallbladder attack, which can be very dangerous. Severe feelings of “gas pain” that persist need to be checked out by a doctor, not just chalked up to ulcerative colitis.
In most cases, however, gas pain will be the culprit when ulcerative colitis is involved.
While we can look at “gas pain” as the overall generic tag for pain, the fact is that sometimes pain we experience will be from stress. I was surprised to find that our gastrointestinal systems are the second only to our mind in reacting to stress.
Most medical professionals agree that the best way to cope with gas pain from ulcerative colitis is to avoid it by taking proactive steps instead of reactive steps.
Drink fluids and, in most cases, eat fiber. This creates bulk that minimizes gas and gas pain. Something like Metamucil can be used as a fiber supplement to build bulk. When a history of gas pain has been established, medications such as an anti-inflammatory (Alulfidine) or a steroid (Prednisone) can be taken for relief not only from gas pain, but for ongoing relief of the overall ulcerative colitis condition.
Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and diet greatly aid in the movement of waste and the minimization of gas and gas pain. Spicy foods and many vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables often cause gas and gas pain. I was amazed (and a little disappointed) to find that sugar could be a great cause of gas and gas pain for a sufferer of ulcerative colitis.
It helps to take medications such as Valium to relax the bowel along with a topical remedy such as Mylanta. Medications that are harmful can be narcotics for pain such as Vicodin or Tylenol #3 in that they impair “peristalsis” or, normal bowel movement and thereby encourage constipation and gas pain.
As I have studied the bowel, and, experienced ulcerative colitis over the last 25 years, I have found that many of the things that bother people with Ulcerative colitis can also hurt people with “normal bowels”. In other words, it makes sense for a person with a “normal bowel” to pay attention to those issues which affect those who suffer from ulcerative colitis.
What should one do however, when a gas pain attack occurs? All one can do at that point is react.
First, breathe deeply. Keep in mind that the gas pain comes from abnormal clenching of the bowel. While difficult, in the vein of Bio-feedback, it can be effective if one “goes with the pain.”
Lie on your left side. That will move gas more effectively. Further, tuck your knees to your chest.
What has always worked well for me is to actually sit on the toilet. For some reason the position is effective and will often create a bowel movement which takes care of the pain.
It is important to understand that the gas pain occurs because the gas is trapped and what the sufferer is trying to do is to get that gas to move.
Additionally, a heating pad has been beneficial for me in getting the gas to move, and, finally, I have found it valuable to drink a glass of warm water or a cup of hot tea. It is sometimes hard to do during the episode of gas pain but the results can be remarkable.
The sufferer of ulcerative colitis has a damaged bowel to one extent another. It is imperative to understand that whatever sensitivity a normal bowel experiences is going to be enhanced in a bowel that has been battling ulcerative colitis.
Gas pain can be one of the worst pains in the world to cope with. To prevent it one should minimize stress; they should watch diet, and, they should exercise. Further, more than ever, attention should be paid to medicinal intake.
When a gas pain attack occurs, try to stay calm and employ the methods I have suggested in this article; they do help.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness one battles their entire life. Gas pain is a side effect that is truly difficult to deal with; however, it can be overcome.
