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Has anyone symptoms improve by moving to a new state?

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Posted 3/3/2022 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Just curious, if anyone’s UC improved by moving from their current residence to an other state?
Is this a real thing, environmental?
Posted 3/4/2022 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I moved a few times while I was badly affected by UC and nothing ever changed.
Posted 3/4/2022 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
Or maybe ask "moved to a new country" since again this website is international and not solely meant to be American specific and have everything about America only.

D
Posted 3/4/2022 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe this is why you are asking, but I've read that UC is more prevalent in northern areas (further from the equator) and less prevalent in southern areas (closer to the equator.) One theory is that it has to do with Vitamin D levels.
Posted 3/4/2022 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I move between Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico. When I travel I stay for 5 weeks at a time. When I go to northern New Mexico and Colorado my symptoms improve. My blood work also improves. I have been doing this for the last 5 years. I have also traveled to other states and not noticed any improvements. (This includes blood work done before, during and after traveling)

All my "obstructions" have occurred when I have been in Texas or other states for a few months without traveling. If I return to Texas, feel ill and then return to Colorado/New Mexico the symptoms get better and labs drawn in both locals also indicate less inflammation. Lower CRP, ALT, AST....etc... So we know that for me....the change in environment to Colorado or New Mexico does help. We are unsure exactly why or if those are the only states.

There are studies that indicate higher altitudes may cause flares and less blood getting to the intestines. Vitamin D may be impacted by the higher altitude for some. My doctor's were all concerned about that....but for some reason the reverse is happening with me.

BTW, if you are in America and ask a question about moving from state to state....I am sure that everyone on here understands that you are asking about if a regional change helped with their disease. A myopic mindset can sometimes only concentrate on the smallest of details rather than trying to assist you with answers or comparisons. Jeeesh....

Clo
Posted 3/4/2022 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Tbh I had the same thought that "the world is bigger than the states" and that *if* UC is affected by geographic location then one may need to look further afield than the US.

I was in a lecture on UC the other day (long story) and the professor made the point that if people from india who traditionally have a low rate of UC move to Europe, their rate of incidence of UC increases. Whether this is to do with diet or climate or environment....who knows. Not sure the same works in the other direction (i.e. europeans moving to india are less likely to develop UC?).

I get that this is an American website and most people posting on here are in the US. It can sometimes come across (in many threads) that people are not aware that there is a world outside the US. I also get that that's just a feeling mostly rooted in my own biases and experiences. And even so... the OP may be asking specifically about moving between states because that is something logistically feasible for them, whereas moving further afield is not possible. It's all well and good if moving to zanzibar will cure your UC but perhaps the rest of your life is a bit challenging...
Posted 3/4/2022 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Poopydoop,

You made me snort coffee out of my nose... LOL..

I have traveled to other countries and I haven't noticed improvement with my UC/Crohn's. Perhaps that's because I focused on trying to keep things "the same" as much as possible so I missed the "signs", or because I did not change my diet to the local area. Who knows. That is why the comparisons between the states in the US have been a pleasant surprise.

There is a lady in my support group that swears high humidity makes her symptoms worse. Another states it's altitude. It would be interesting to have others indicate if they travel, where to/from, timeframes and the changes they did or didn't have occur.

It's all different for everyone.
Posted 3/4/2022 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
My sister with crohns has twice flared after visiting the US/Canada (from the UK). She is convinced it's to do with the water. I suspect that long haul flights and changing time zones takes a big toll on the body which is enough to trigger a flare (i think there are even papers published which note an association with long haul travel and flaring)
Posted 3/4/2022 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Agree with Damo and Poopydoop. It is appreciated when non-Americans are not excluded from posts.
Posted 3/4/2022 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
But its the OPs post enquiring one question. People from wherever can say their own experiences moving from and to wherever. It's not like it's limited to only people in the US. OMG...does everyone need to be so sensitive politically, offended and all inclusive to make a big deal about it. Just answer the question and move on without judging her question. Leave the political crap out of it for f sakes.

q
Posted 3/4/2022 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not offended....
Posted 3/4/2022 8:06 PM (GMT 0)

poopydoop said...
My sister with crohns has twice flared after visiting the US/Canada (from the UK). She is convinced it's to do with the water. I suspect that long haul flights and changing time zones takes a big toll on the body which is enough to trigger a flare (i think there are even papers published which note an association with long haul travel and flaring)


There's such a thing as this which may be triggering a flare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/travelers%27_diarrhea
Posted 3/4/2022 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
There's a bit of real estate between being offended by being excluded and appreciative of being included. It's not always one extreme or the other. That being said, if a post comes across as overly senstive and political for one's taste, one can always move on without judging.
Posted 3/4/2022 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
UCinGV - Thanks, this was the kind of study i was thinking of
https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/article/8/3/191/527967

SerenityNow - thanks, appreciate it
Posted 3/4/2022 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
It's mostly related to diet, chemicals, and vitamin D.

Diet because regional diets vary.

Chemicals because food quality varies by location. Some areas have more chemicals in their food than others, and synthetics / pesticides affect gut integrity.

Vitamin D... northern climates have less.

In the summer time my IBD always gets better. More seasonal foods available, better quality food and less packaged food, and way more sunlight.

The western diet is terrible and is why people who are susceptible to UC will develop it when they move from a non-western nation to a western one. The studies in China have been the most interesting. When they adopted the western diet their UC rate skyrocketed, and it gets worse every year.

GMO food grown on depleted soil and sprayed with fertilizers derived from petrol is driving IBD. The GMO aspect relates to plants being able to absorb way more pesticide without dying than their heirloom varieties, so people end up consuming a lot more chemical garbage. Glyphosate should be outlawed, it lingers in the soil and the tissues of the body for generations.

All of these factors increase oxidative stress which is the root cause of UC.
Posted 3/5/2022 3:53 AM (GMT 0)

therearemiracles said...
Just curious, if anyone’s UC improved by moving from their current residence to an other state?
Is this a real thing, environmental?

Some states have better hospitals and doctors than others. Having a GI that understands IBDs is extremely important and not all GIs are equipped or experienced enough to deal with the tougher cases.

My GI is based at a hospital were the GI ward is two floors, the nurses & staff there only deal with GI related patients. I probably wouldn’t find that level of care in some other states.
Posted 3/5/2022 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
Yes when I moved to Turkey 🇹🇷, I don't know my symptoms has disappeared completely 100%? I do know? Is it because environment, food, mental? I really don't know?


P.s I took some antibiotics there for non related UC , is antibiotics was the reason?

Post Edited (Sultan) : 3/5/2022 2:02:43 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/5/2022 9:37 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
But its the OPs post enquiring one question. People from wherever can say their own experiences moving from and to wherever. It's not like it's limited to only people in the US. OMG...does everyone need to be so sensitive politically, offended and all inclusive to make a big deal about it. Just answer the question and move on without judging her question. Leave the political crap out of it for f sakes.

q

Completely agree!
And no, I wouldn't move to Zanzibar or any other country to cure my UC (which I don't believe is possible anyway).
Posted 3/6/2022 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Sultan,

That is interesting. Have you had any lab work or scopes that have shown an improvement?

Clo
Posted 3/6/2022 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
I am one of those people who is convinced that environment , diet and water and less stressful lifestyle play a huge role in my case. So yes demographics are vital for me.
Posted 3/6/2022 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
clo2014

No I didn't do any if that unfortunately
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