cause and trigger

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 714

Posted 9/25/2007 4:27 AM (GMT -7)

I've come across this line on lots and lots of websites since I've been finding info out about UC.

"Although stress doesn't cause inflammatory bowel disease, it can make your signs and symptoms much worse and may trigger flare-ups."

Can someone explain the difference to me between "causing IBD" and "triggering flare ups". Are they not the same thing? If not why? And if not then what is the medical difference between "cause" and "trigger". Sounds to me that for a person suffering badly with UC theres no difference netween cause and trigger!!!

2400 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed

Acidophilus

No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)

My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)

Red_34

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Joined : Apr 2004

Posts : 23569

Posted 9/25/2007 5:14 AM (GMT -7)

They have just discovered that there is a defective gene that Ibd'ers have that is normally not turned "on" unless certain circumstances occur such as possible food poisoning, environmental pollutions, illness etc. Once it is turned on, then the inflammatory process begins. Once it begins there is no going back to the way it was (unless they find a way to turn it off in the future). So that is possibly the cause. Triggers for flares are things that our bodies don't like or can't handle because our bodies are already turned "on". It's like an overload in our systems.

I'm not sure if I buy into the theory that stress doesn't turn our Uc on because stress can play havoc on anyones system if we are under it for so long.

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Burli

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Joined : May 2003

Posts : 1251

Posted 9/25/2007 6:04 AM (GMT -7)

Stress is a very general term. If you get the flu or food poisoning it creates stress on your bodily functions (and immune system) and that can trigger a flare but you already had UC (the disease). Many people with UC, like me, have never had their flares triggered by just emotional stress rather my flares are always triggered by "stress" on my immune system from major illnesses (flu, mono, other viruses, food poisoning, etc.). Once in a flare condition, however, emotional stess can aggravate my symptoms. All I know is my immune system is dysfunctional now and reduction in stress is always a good idea to keep the immune system healthier.

Not sure what caused my UC--mostly genetics I guess as my sister has it as well.

Post Edited (Burli) : 9/25/2007 10:04:14 AM (GMT-6)

kb5

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Joined : Jan 2007

Posts : 1015

Posted 9/25/2007 6:33 AM (GMT -7)

Also remember that people without UC get sick when stressed. In emotional situations or when there is stress int he body like Burli said, the body is weakened. When in any stressful situation a person is more likely to get ill, uc or not. My husband gets D when he is stressed out at work. He has never had any medical problems. This only happens when the stress is really bad and its just a day or so.

Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

birdiem

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 326

Posted 9/25/2007 6:41 AM (GMT -7)

personally, i believe stress can be a primary factor in flares. just like people without UC can get sick when they are stressed, so can people with UC. as we all know, just because we can't see it doesn't mean it is not there....love to you and hope you stay stress free...

katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine

Eric704

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2006

Posts : 261

Posted 9/25/2007 7:29 AM (GMT -7)

I know I've said this before and I'll continue to say it.

Stress is what caused my UC. I'm not talking about a term paper due in 2 days or work stress. I had some family related stress I lived with every hour of every day for a good 3-4 months before it just turned on. It's not your typical "stress" you think about with people everyday. It was far worse, and I had to live with the base cause of it because I was only 15-16 years old.

Bring up any scientific study showing me anything, and I wont care. I've never been allergic to anything all my life, I've never got colds hardly at all. I was always one of those "healthy as a horse" kind of people. But prolonged hardcore stress can cause your immune system to break down because your body gets too much cortisol. Cortisol is basically what prednisone is. Pred is just given at much much higher dose to completely shut off your immunesystem. When our body creates too much of it naturally is when things start going wrong because it starts throwing everything off balance.

That's why stress causes many different things for us in todays world.

http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

Post Edited (Eric704) : 9/25/2007 8:28:23 AM (GMT-6)

love4cats

Regular Member

Joined : May 2007

Posts : 458

Posted 9/25/2007 7:36 AM (GMT -7)

Stress causes me to loose sleep, which I read that is when your immune system is at work. If I have stress over a length of time and not sleep well, I will get cold sores and a flare. To me stress on a body can include both physical illnesses and emotion illnesses, both can compromise your immune system sending it into a speedwobble.

Dx: 2006

Meds: None so far. Garlic works to ease flares. My GI laughed when I told him and said it was just coincidence.

Diet: Regular fresh garlic, Biobest yogurt daily, Omega 3 supplements, very limited junk food, carbs and processed food, low fat diet. Lots of fresh fruit and veggies (limited potatoes).

Added: tumeric and probiotics.

princesa

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 2204

Posted 9/25/2007 7:48 AM (GMT -7)

For me personally, I see "cause" as the multiple elements that combine to produce the initial diagnosis of UC. A "trigger" can be any element(s) that bring on an increase or worsening of symptoms.

Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years

Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. About to start George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 714

Posted 9/25/2007 11:55 AM (GMT -7)

Thanks for this. I'm with all of you in saying that stress is a big part of UC!

But how does this theory stand with the people who have put themselves into long term remission via diet or lifestyle changes. Okay they may be in the minority but there are people on here who have followed the SCD diet, raw vegetables or used anti fingal programs and havent had UC in years. Are we to conclude that

a) They are "only" in remission and have just eliminated the items that trigger flares and got lucky.

b) The never have UC in the first place but rather had inflammation of the colon brought on by some kinda allergic reaction or whatever

D

2400 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed

Acidophilus

No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)

My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)

Post Edited (damo123) : 9/25/2007 1:11:32 PM (GMT-6)

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