Can exercise effect UC?

Hi,

I had a really good day yesterday until I did some exercise in the mid afternoon - a 10 minute run up and down stairs with weights. about 1 hour afterwards I felt an bloating/uncomfortable feeling across the transverse colon area then liquid BMs in the evening and next morning.

Now, I've done these exercises most days for a few months but had missed the last 3 days where I hadn't done much. It may be complete coincidence that I had a good day on Monday after a couple of days without exercise but, with UC, I think I've started clinging to good feelings in my body and over analyzing them.

I'm just wondering if exercise is linked to UC and whether it's better to relax e.g. don't do 'extreme' exercise, just stick to walking or similar?

Anyone had any experience of this?

Thanks.

Post Edited (wavey) : 12/14/2010 9:03:52 AM (GMT-7)

Wavey

Everytime I attempt to do any exercise, my UC gets sooo much worse!  I tried doing weights twice in my life, and got horribly ill both times.

So, I never to any exercise where I have to physically exert myself. Its just not worth it.  Light exercise, however, is okay. 

Take care

If it's worse when you wake up, you are definitely flaring.

What meds are you on?

Light exercise is a good thing...but exercise in general can increase activity in the body...your colon sounds like it's overreacting to just functioning in general.

You could ask your doc for an antispasmodic....taken at night. That might help you somewhat.

Again..what meds are you on?

Do you eat throughout the day?

q

It may be the running that's the problem. I work out with weights three times a week without ill effect, as well as doing a lot of stretching exercises and walking. All that running could be sloshing everything around too much. Found this article that may shed some light on this. I don't know anything about the source, but here it is anyway:

"Summary: Surveys of athletes, primarily runners, have shown that digestive disorders are common, associated both with training and racing. Women, in particular, seem to suffer most commonly. Nearly half have loose stools and nausea and vomiting occur frequently after hard runs. Diarrhoea, incontinence and rectal bleeding occur with surprising frequency. Runners may use medications prophylactically to minimise some of these symptoms. Upper digestive symptoms seem to occur more commonly in multisport events such as triathlons or enduro."

http://adisonline.com/sportsmedicine/Abstract/1990/09030/The_Effect_of_Exercise_on_the_Gastrointestinal.4.aspx

I am back to my old exercise routine and feeling great! I have found some gluten,dairy and soy free bars and gels to help through my long bike rides and runs. Today for some strange reason I had stomach cramps after my 7 mile run. I did try to hold onto a faster than usual pace. Maybe a little too much stress. I didn't even eat the bars or gels today so its not that. My stomach is still uncomfortable--not terrible, but yucky. Maybe I should stick to enjoyable runs instead of trying to push hard.  Maybe you shouldn't stop exercising completely--just slow down a bit.  Good Luck! This illness is a challenge!  BTW--I'm only doing the canasa every other night now. Hope that's not the problem.

I play soccer three days a week, which requires a lot of running; most times I drink bottled water with liquid oxygen added in, which provides more energy. The exercise definately helps to reduce symptoms and it also shortens recovery time from flares...not sure why it helps in my case, but it does.

NBT

Exercise is good for a healthy body, but, with UC, it's finding an exercise that doesn't push you too far which I think is important.

I know that during or after a hard work-out, some people vomit or get diarrhea - that must mean that any exercise has some effect on the colon.

Should UC be treated like most illnesses where you are told to rest? Afterall, the body is trying to recover.

I take public transportation - walk a lot, take the stairs etc and it doesn't bother me.

Thanks for all the replies - I'm going to leave all the more 'extreme' exrecise out for 2 weeks but keep in the walking and very light exercise. I'm also going to take a lot more rest and do the deep breathing exercises.

I'll report back if there are interesting changes.

I'm predicting my UC stays exactly the same though, as this seems to be the case whatever I try!!

This is always something that I have wondered myself. Since exercise is supposed to strengthen and enhance your immune system and our immune systems are already overactive enough--maybe it's not such a good choice for me, even though I regularly exercise to maintain my weight.

It seems everything they say is healthy is not healthy for us, for example, they are really pushing high fiber this, high fiber that--that would absolutely kill me! And if I ate the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, I'd never leave the bathroom.

It's also worth noting if you're on or have been on steroids, weight bearing exercise can help prevent or restore bone loss. Weight training - coupled with a high protein diet - can also help tremendously with regaining healthy body weight if you've lost weight during a flare.

When I was flaring, I did weight training, yoga and walking. I avoided high impact cardio and challenging ab work. I will say I've never been a fan of jogging/running. I do step, kickbox or zumba for cardio.

Moderation..there's a lot of distance between mild exercise and extreme exercise. If you suspect exercise affects your UC, take it down to minimum or rest for a few and get back to it slowly.

One thing you cannot do is exercise yourself out of a flare....if it's on the extreme.

q

"Summary: Surveys of athletes, primarily runners, have shown that digestive disorders are common, associated both with training and racing. Women, in particular, seem to suffer most commonly.

Gee....I just signed up for the 1/2 marathon for CCFA. This doesn't sound too encouraging! Luckily on eof the coaches has Crohns and about 1/3 of the runner have IBD. This will be an interesting experience!