| The last two months of the year are filled with | | | | works for everyone. Find what works for you by |
| holidays: Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, | | | | knowing your body, attending to your needs and |
| Kwanzaa. And what do they all have in common? | | | | using all the tools at your disposal. Rest, relaxation |
| Family, festivities, food and, hopefully, fun. Of | | | | and a controlled diet are all important elements, |
| course, with all the planning and shopping and | | | | but there are a few more things that you could |
| wrapping and traveling and partying | | | | try to reduce stress. They include: walking, |
| and...umm...eating, people sometimes do experience | | | | meditation, yoga, massage, controlled breathing |
| a wee bit of stress. | | | | techniques, positive affirmations and counseling. |
| Now, for IBS sufferers, the stress is more than | | | | They are most effective if done on a consistent |
| "a bit". The additional stress and demands of the | | | | basis. Find what works for you. |
| holidays often aggravate the unpleasant and | | | | 5. Lean on the routine. Change, no matter how |
| unpredictable symptoms of Irritable Bowel | | | | small, is often difficult. People with IBS seem to |
| Syndrome (a.k.a. IBS, colitis or spastic colon). The | | | | be impacted more than most by change. |
| delicious goodies, big family dinners and changes in | | | | Maintaining a routine related to personal needs, |
| daily routines don't help the situation either. | | | | work and social life can be essential in managing |
| Sometimes the challenge of managing this painful | | | | any medical condition, IBS included. Do what you |
| and chronic condition during the holidays is so | | | | can by planning ahead for additional demands (see |
| stressful that it discourages IBS sufferers from | | | | tip 3) and by explaining to friends and family the |
| participating in the festivities and family gatherings. | | | | importance of your routine. This is particularly |
| It can be an isolating and frustrating time. | | | | relevant in regards to traveling, which can be |
| It is estimated that 2 out of every 10 people | | | | challenging for IBS sufferers. Travel may be |
| (about 50 million) in the U.S. suffer from IBS. Many | | | | unavoidable during the holidays. If it is, give |
| people have the condition but remain undiagnosed | | | | yourself extra time and consideration. |
| and untreated. Those who are unfamiliar with IBS | | | | 6. Express yourself. Many people have a hard |
| may not appreciate the seriousness of the | | | | time talking about their condition; IBS symptoms |
| condition. An IBS attack can result in a variety of | | | | can be embarrassing to discuss. But, it is better to |
| symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, | | | | express to loved ones the seriousness of the |
| flatulence, hemorrhoids and alternating diarrhea | | | | condition and ask for their indulgence and |
| and constipation. These are not things you want | | | | consideration than to withdraw from them or |
| to bring to the holiday party! They are painful, | | | | make too many compromises and encourage a |
| embarrassing and terribly inconvenient, even | | | | severe attack. You don't have to hide or suffer in |
| debilitating at times. | | | | silence. Explain your needs and limitations. Usually, |
| So, what can people with IBS, a chronic and | | | | people will understand - especially people that love |
| unpredictable illness, do to deal with their condition | | | | you and want you to be well. |
| and not miss out on all the holiday cheer? While | | | | 7. Be a player - not the whole team. It is easy to |
| there is no "cure" for IBS, there are ways to | | | | take on too much during this time. Put aside your |
| boost your ability to prevent or decrease the | | | | pride, if necessary, and let others know that you |
| severity of an attack. The following ten tips are | | | | need their help. People may surprise you with their |
| suggested for managing IBS during the holidays. | | | | willingness to pitch in and do what is required. |
| 1. Talk to your doctor. If you are already under a | | | | They may not take the initiative on their own, but |
| doctor's care for IBS and taking medications, ask | | | | they will take on tasks when they are asked and |
| your doctor if there are additional steps that you | | | | directed. If people are unwilling to help, then don't |
| can take during the holiday season to treat your | | | | compromise your health by insisting on completing |
| symptoms. If you have not been diagnosed by a | | | | everything yourself. Remember, you are more |
| physician but you are experiencing the symptoms | | | | important than any gift or trip to the post office |
| listed above, then maybe it is time to seek help. | | | | or holiday party. Rather than hurt yourself by |
| 2. Know your body. IBS is different from many | | | | overdoing it, just say "no", take it slow and let go. |
| other illnesses in that it occurs uniquely in each | | | | 8. Be comfortable, rather than cosmetic. Being |
| person. Everyone has their own combination of | | | | physically comfortable by wearing loose-fitting |
| symptoms and "triggers", and what works to | | | | clothing, claiming the best spot on the sofa, and |
| alleviate symptoms for one person may not work | | | | avoiding irritants in the environment (smoke, |
| for the next. Self-study is the key to managing | | | | odors, noises, etc.) is as important as getting |
| this condition. Research is helpful - there are many | | | | enough rest and eating right in managing your IBS. |
| books and websites on the subject. There is also | | | | A tight waistband on a bloated belly or enduring |
| one good workbook that leads people | | | | odors that make you nauseous is not going to |
| step-by-step through this process of self-analysis. | | | | help you. It may sound silly, but it makes a |
| It is the "Yes, You CAN Manage IBS" workbook | | | | difference. Be comfortable, even if it's not |
| by Cindy Baker, a licensed professional counselor. | | | | fashionable. That's the only way to really enjoy |
| She shares her story and offers her workbook | | | | yourself. |
| online at This workbook is highly recommended in | | | | 9. Keep laughing. Along with the sweet potatoes |
| discovering what is necessary to manage your | | | | and glittery packages and musical snow globes, |
| own IBS symptoms. | | | | don't forget to bring your sense of humor to the |
| 3. Plan and prepare. The stress of the holidays | | | | party. It is supposed to be fun, celebrating the |
| can be reduced through planning ahead. A | | | | holidays. So, have fun! Everything doesn't have to |
| schedule of activities can help to minimize the | | | | be perfect - you don't have to be perfect - in |
| mental and physical stress of last-minute tasks | | | | order to enjoy yourself. I know: IBS is no joke. |
| and unfinished details. It can also ensure that | | | | But you can keep laughing anyway. Laughter truly |
| important elements like sleep, exercise and using | | | | IS the best medicine. Take a healthy dose every |
| medications and supplements are not ignored. | | | | day. |
| Don't procrastinate - do as much as you can as | | | | 10. Love yourself. During the holidays, after the |
| early as you can to limit the hustle and bustle. | | | | holidays, everyday, love yourself. No matter what |
| Preparation and organization can take the hectic | | | | you can do or can't do, no matter what your |
| out of the holidays. | | | | condition or situation or limitations; love yourself. |
| 4. Address the stress. This is such an important | | | | Then, let that love spill over to the rest of us. |
| element for IBS sufferers. Stress has a significant | | | | Love is amazing. The more you give away, the |
| impact on this condition and is a common trigger | | | | more you have. You can never exhaust your |
| for attacks. All the other tips listed here relate to | | | | supply. You may hate your IBS, understandable, |
| this one, because managing your stress is also | | | | but love yourself. It will give you the strength and |
| managing your IBS. There is no one answer that | | | | courage to face anything...even the mall. |