This title might throw you for a loop a bit, but it can also be helpful.
I talk a lot about ways to help your Gastroparesis and while all of that IS important, it’s also important to know if the things you are doing are actually KEEPING you sick or making you worse.
So, while there can be many things, I am going to talk about 5 ways to stay sick with Gastroparesis.
Blood Sugar Swings. Yes, it’s hard , because the easiest things to digest are carbs and sugars and all of that. However, when you are at a large imbalance of carbs, then your blood sugar is up and down and that actually keeps you Gastroparesis WORSE.
Chronic Stress State. Alright, before you respond back saying “it’s impossible to be stress-free”, I am saying to be 100% stress-free. It’s impossible to do that when you have a chronic illness. HOWEVER, there are stressors you can manage and you can choose how you react to certain things. It is a fact, though, that stress does create digestive disrupt. So, if you can take a couple moments a day to do a few deep breaths to lower your stress levels, that is game changing.
Dehydration. I know, water can be hard for some of you, but there are other ways to stay hydrated. For instance, you can drink watermelon juice or eat watermelon. You can make smoothies and include coconut water or drink coconut water itself. You can make juices, you can add a pinch of sea salt to your water to help with electrolytes. There are ways, you just have to be open to them.
Too much Fatty or Fibrous Foods. Okay, yes this is hard, too, but you have to find the balance of eating some but not too much. Junk food is often full of fats and sugars, which combine this one and the blood sugar swings that will just crush your digestive system. Too much fiber will bloat and back you up, but not enough can do the same thing. So, again turn to smoothies or soups or something easy on your tummy.
Inactive & laying down after eating. This is incredibly common and incredibly hurtful for your digestion. I know it’s hard to be active when you feel like garbage, but a walk a day does wonders. A walk after eating is even better. Laying down and being stagnant after eating make digesting even harder.
So when you read this and think there’s no way I can do all of these or most of these, that’s okay. Pick one to make sure you are on track with, then once you master that one, try the next and so on.
But if you realize, oof, I am always laying down after eating, then start there and start with just sitting up after.
We look for progress, not perfection.
And if you are wanting customized help and someone to guide you through all of this, I can make it to where we work on all of these things without getting overwhelmed.
Click here to learn more about working 1-on-1 with me.
Until next time,
Aubrey
Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.