Stress and support
Living with painful or unpredictable digestive symptoms can be stressful. Stress can also worsen digestive symptoms through the communication between the brain and gut. This does not mean that symptoms are imagined or that stress is their only cause.
Finding manageable ways to relax may help alongside medical treatment. These might include breathing exercises, enjoyable activities, time with supportive people, or a regular sleep routine. For some people with IBS, gut-directed psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or hypnotherapy, can also help. NIDDK: treatment for IBS
The goal is to find support that makes daily life easier. You do not need to eliminate stress completely, and persistent symptoms are not a sign that you have failed to relax.
Activity at your own pace
We have noticed benefits from staying active, but what is manageable varies from person to person and from day to day.
For people with hEDS or HSD, suitable movement can help build strength and support joint stability. Joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, previous surgery, and other health conditions may affect which activities are appropriate.
A physical therapist familiar with hypermobility can help develop a plan suited to your needs. Short periods of comfortable movement, with rest as needed, may be more manageable than a demanding exercise session. Avoid forcing joints beyond their comfortable range or pushing through symptoms that are worsening. The Ehlers-Danlos Society: physical therapy
If activity causes a substantial or prolonged worsening of symptoms, discuss this with your healthcare team before increasing it. Rest and pacing are also important parts of managing daily life.
CBD: evidence and limitations
Cannabidiol, commonly called CBD, is marketed in oils, capsules, gummies, creams, and other products. Although there is considerable interest in its possible benefits, evidence does not establish it as a reliable treatment for hEDS/HSD-related digestive problems, poor appetite, pain, sleep difficulties, or stress.
CBD can cause side effects, including diarrhea, drowsiness, reduced appetite, and liver injury. It can also interact with medicines. Combining it with alcohol or sedating medicines can increase drowsiness and the risk of injury.
In the United States, the FDA has approved a prescription CBD medicine for certain seizure disorders. This does not establish the safety or effectiveness of nonprescription CBD products for other conditions. Product contents and quality can vary, and creams and oral products should not be assumed to have the same effects. FDA: what to know about CBD
If you are considering CBD, discuss the specific product and your medicines with your clinician or pharmacist first. Independent testing may help verify a product’s contents, but it does not prove that the product will be effective or suitable for you.