5 tips for having conversations about your digestive condition

For some people, feelings of shame or embarrassment can be the most stressful part of having digestive issues.

It’s important to remember that you didn’t choose to have these issues and by sharing this information with your friends, family, or colleagues now, you are avoiding more stress or questions in the future when emergency situations might arise.

A gut-brain specialist can help you explore these complicated feelings and equip you with evidence-backed tools to cope.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one type of therapy that Oshi gut-brain experts provide to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. It’s especially helpful for people with chronic GI conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

2. Keep it general

You don’t need to say the specific condition you have, if you don’t feel comfortable. Rather, feel free to leave it as “digestive issues,” “cramps,” or a “GI condition,” as that’s usually the most detail that people want or need to hear anyway.

You’re in control of what you share with others. If someone pries for more information and you’re not up for going into detail, you can politely let them know you’re not comfortable talking about it further.

Here’s how you might respond to someone bugging you for more info:

“I appreciate that you’re curious, but I’m not comfortable saying more. If you’re dealing with digestive health issues, I’d be happy to share resources that might help, though!”

3. Explain how it can impact your plans or time together

Having digestive symptoms likely means frequent trips to the bathroom, saying “no” to certain events because you don’t feel well, or other disruptions in how you spend time together.

Make it clear how your issues or condition might require others to show extra empathy or flexibility so that you can feel more at ease when going out in public or when you need to stay in. 

The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real. And it can feel like you’re letting people down when you have to decline invitations or cancel at the last minute. Being open about your needs and how your symptoms impact your life can help others better understand where you’re coming from.

And if they don’t get it? They might not be worth your time (or the gut upset!).

4. Think about what you’ll say ahead of time

Having a list of talking points or making a mental note of what you want to say and how you want to say it can help the conversation go smoothly.

While the script will vary for each person, keeping things short and sweet can often be the best way to go. You can say things like, “I’m doing what I can to control my digestive symptoms, but sometimes they act up or get worse unexpectedly.”

This doesn’t need to be a spontaneous discussion. You should share when and how you feel most comfortable. 

Bonus: Planning talking points ahead can help reduce feelings of anxiety that can make digestive symptoms worse.

5. Be specific about how your family and friends can help you

Opening up gives people insight into what it’s like to live with digestive symptoms. Some of the people in your life might want to offer support. But they can’t do that effectively unless you clearly communicate your needs.

Remember, it’s OK to ask for help.

Here’s what you might bring up to your loved ones:

• How they can offer emotional support when you’re having a flare. That might look like just being there with you or checking in on you when you’ve been quiet.
• How they can help when you’re spending time together. That could be carrying a backup emergency bag for you or helping you scope out nearby bathrooms.
• How they can show up when it comes to dietary needs. You might ask them to be OK with dietary restrictions or you bringing your own food to gatherings.
• How they can listen and not offer unsolicted advice. It’s a reflex. People might try to solve your problems by giving you tips and making assumptions about your condition. Remember, it often comes from a kind place. But let your loved ones know that what you want is for them to listen and hear you out. Your GI provider is there to help you manage your symptoms. Your friends and family are your support system. 

6. Bring up the stress factor

Stress is so often a trigger for GI symptoms—even for people who don’t have a chronic digestive condition or symptoms. Nerves about a big presentation at work. Anxiety about meeting new people. Worry over upcoming travel.

Pretty much anyone can relate to dealing with stress. And it’s common for stress to shake up digestion. Think nervous poops, travel constipation, and tummy rumblies. It happens to us all at some point, and it’s a good starting point for discussing your own GI concerns.

Not sure how to get the convo started? Here’s a mini script you can try out: “Hey, you know when you’re stressed about something big and your stomach starts to feel funny? That’s kind of how it feels to live with [Insert GI condition]. It can make day-to-day living hard, and it even gets in the way of my social life sometimes.”

Takeaway

If you have a chronic GI condition, it can be hard to talk about your symptoms and how they impact your life. But remember, we all get an upset stomach, heartburn, or other digestive problems every once in a while. 

While your loved ones might not be able to relate to your unique experience, they can support you on your path to symptom relief.

If your symptoms aren’t going away, are getting worse, or are impacting your quality of life, you don’t need to suffer any longer.

Schedule your appointment today and get seen right away by an Oshi Health GI provider.

While some people find it hard or embarrassing to talk about their GI condition, telling your friends, family, and even your coworkers about your condition and how they can help you may reduce stress in the long-run.

Here are 5 tips to help the conversation go smoothly.

1. Overcome internal feelings of shame and embarrassment

For some people, feelings of shame or embarrassment can be the most stressful part of having digestive issues.

It’s important to remember that you didn’t choose to have these issues and by sharing this information with your friends, family, or colleagues now, you are avoiding more stress or questions in the future when emergency situations might arise.

A gut-brain specialist can help you explore these complicated feelings and equip you with evidence-backed tools to cope.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is one type of therapy that Oshi gut-brain experts provide to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. It’s especially helpful for people with chronic GI conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

2. Keep it general

You don’t need to say the specific condition you have, if you don’t feel comfortable. Rather, feel free to leave it as “digestive issues,” “cramps,” or a “GI condition,” as that’s usually the most detail that people want or need to hear anyway.

You’re in control of what you share with others. If someone pries for more information and you’re not up for going into detail, you can politely let them know you’re not comfortable talking about it further.

Here’s how you might respond to someone bugging you for more info:

“I appreciate that you’re curious, but I’m not comfortable saying more. If you’re dealing with digestive health issues, I’d be happy to share resources that might help, though!”

3. Explain how it can impact your plans or time together

Having digestive symptoms likely means frequent trips to the bathroom, saying “no” to certain events because you don’t feel well, or other disruptions in how you spend time together.

Make it clear how your issues or condition might require others to show extra empathy or flexibility so that you can feel more at ease when going out in public or when you need to stay in. 

The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real. And it can feel like you’re letting people down when you have to decline invitations or cancel at the last minute. Being open about your needs and how your symptoms impact your life can help others better understand where you’re coming from.

And if they don’t get it? They might not be worth your time (or the gut upset!).

4. Think about what you’ll say ahead of time

Having a list of talking points or making a mental note of what you want to say and how you want to say it can help the conversation go smoothly.

While the script will vary for each person, keeping things short and sweet can often be the best way to go. You can say things like, “I’m doing what I can to control my digestive symptoms, but sometimes they act up or get worse unexpectedly.”

This doesn’t need to be a spontaneous discussion. You should share when and how you feel most comfortable. 

Bonus: Planning talking points ahead can help reduce feelings of anxiety that can make digestive symptoms worse.

5. Be specific about how your family and friends can help you

Opening up gives people insight into what it’s like to live with digestive symptoms. Some of the people in your life might want to offer support. But they can’t do that effectively unless you clearly communicate your needs.

Remember, it’s OK to ask for help.

Here’s what you might bring up to your loved ones:

• How they can offer emotional support when you’re having a flare. That might look like just being there with you or checking in on you when you’ve been quiet.
• How they can help when you’re spending time together. That could be carrying a backup emergency bag for you or helping you scope out nearby bathrooms.
• How they can show up when it comes to dietary needs. You might ask them to be OK with dietary restrictions or you bringing your own food to gatherings.
• How they can listen and not offer unsolicted advice. It’s a reflex. People might try to solve your problems by giving you tips and making assumptions about your condition. Remember, it often comes from a kind place. But let your loved ones know that what you want is for them to listen and hear you out. Your GI provider is there to help you manage your symptoms. Your friends and family are your support system. 

6. Bring up the stress factor

Stress is so often a trigger for GI symptoms—even for people who don’t have a chronic digestive condition or symptoms. Nerves about a big presentation at work. Anxiety about meeting new people. Worry over upcoming travel.

Pretty much anyone can relate to dealing with stress. And it’s common for stress to shake up digestion. Think nervous poops, travel constipation, and tummy rumblies. It happens to us all at some point, and it’s a good starting point for discussing your own GI concerns.

Not sure how to get the convo started? Here’s a mini script you can try out: “Hey, you know when you’re stressed about something big and your stomach starts to feel funny? That’s kind of how it feels to live with [Insert GI condition]. It can make day-to-day living hard, and it even gets in the way of my social life sometimes.”

Takeaway

If you have a chronic GI condition, it can be hard to talk about your symptoms and how they impact your life. But remember, we all get an upset stomach, heartburn, or other digestive problems every once in a while. 

While your loved ones might not be able to relate to your unique experience, they can support you on your path to symptom relief.

If your symptoms aren’t going away, are getting worse, or are impacting your quality of life, you don’t need to suffer any longer.

Schedule your appointment today and get seen right away by an Oshi Health GI provider.