Ulcerative colitis
It's understandable that you may be nervous about doing exercise, especially
if your symptoms are severe.
However, including some activity in your day-to-day life can go a long way
towards reducing your stress levels. This is important, as long-term stress
can contribute to ulcerative colitis. Exercise may also help to slow both
the flow of stomach acid through your intestinal tract and the movement of
food through the small intestine. You should always consult an expert, such
as a qualified personal trainer, your doctor or your practice nurse, if you've
never exercised before, or have any concerns.
Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
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Take it easy with lower impact activities, such as walking,
swimming and cycling. High-impact sports like jogging and aerobics can make
your symptoms worse – and may lead to fractures if you are taking steroids.
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Strengthen your bones with regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking
or cycling. This is vital if you are taking steroids, which reduce your bone
density.
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Drink lots of water before, during and after exercise. This
will help to prevent dehydration brought on by both your activity and the
diarrhoea that may result.
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Eat a banana to supplement potassium lost during exercise,
especially if you experience diarrhoea afterwards.
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Choose more relaxing options such as yoga or tai chi, if more
strenuous exercises such as walking or swimming don't suit you.