About Ibd

People who live with chronic illness don’t get training on how to deal with health insurance. Yet it is a major part of living with conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Plus, it not only affects patients living with IBD, but our doctors and other healthcare providers are also frustrated and overburdened with dealing with red tape such as prior authorizations. Dr Shubha Bhat, a gastroenterology clinical pharmacist at the Cleveland Clinic and Jaime Holland, who is a healthcare activist and Crohn’s disease patient tell me how they handle health insurance complications and what we can do to change the system. Concepts discussed on this episode include: 13 Million Americans Per Year Skip Medicine Due to High Prescription Cost What You Need to Know About Coinsurance How Prior Authorization Works Tips to Get a Health Insurance Prior Authorization Request Approved IBD Insurance Checklist Understanding Health Insurance Find Shubha Bhat, PharmD on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Cleveland Clinic. Fin

People who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis don’t want to feel like a burden. They may feel guilty about changing or canceling plans. Sometimes, people with IBD may not even want to make plans in the first place. A strong support system can help overcome these issues and help patients manage their new normal. Dr Alexandra Fuss, a clinical health psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine and Brooke Abbott, ulcerative colitis patient, founder of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, and co-founder of IBDMoms tell me how they have productive conversations with friends and family surrounding IBD. Concepts discussed on this episode include: What to Know Before You Eat Out When You Have IBD How to Share a College Dorm Bathroom 7 Tips for Keeping IBD at Bay on Big Days Navigating Daily Life with IBD Find Alexandra Fuss, PhD on Instagram, LinkedIn and at Yale School of Medicine. Find Brooke Abbott at The Crazy Creole Mommy Chron

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are complicated. There are choices to make along the treatment journey, which means that patients and their healthcare providers need to work together to find the right path. That’s where shared decision-making comes into play. Healthcare providers can help patients learn about their options but patients need to speak up and help their doctors understand what they want from their treatment options, because it's not always obvious. To better understand shared decision-making in IBD, I speak to Dr Rajeev Jain, a gastroenterologist in private practice in Dallas, Texas and Caitlyn Smith, ulcerative colitis patient and editor at The Mighty. Concepts discussed on this episode include: IBD Parenthood Project Shared Decision-making in IBD IBD Surgery Shared Decision-Making Toolkit Shared Decision-Making: Benefits to Care Shared Decision-Making: Being Prepared American Gastroenterological Association GI Patient Center Find Rajeev Jain, MD on Twitter, Texas Digestive Disease Co

After being diagnosed with a form of IBD, it can be a real challenge to understand that treatment is ongoing. Which might mean taking medications for long periods of time. It also means adding in lifestyle changes such as focusing on nutrition and diet, sleep, exercise, stress reduction, and learning about complimentary treatments that might be helpful. There are a lot of barriers to getting treatment, though, including cost and access. Some people might not realize that not only can their healthcare team can help with accessing and understanding treatment choices, but that complimentary therapies have a valid place in the management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Dr Badr Al-Bawardy, a gastroenterologist specializing in IBD and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and Tina Haupert, an ulcerative colitis patient, Certified Nutrition Coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, and founder of Carrots ‘N’ Cake uncover the ways medication and lifestyle changes

Setting goals is an important part of managing IBD. But after controlling symptoms: what other goals do patients have? They can be anything from being able to go up and down the stairs, to cooking a meal, to going back to an exercise program. Treating to target is a concept that helps in goal-setting. But patients might not be using this method with their clinicians. Dr Neilanjan Nandi, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and IBD specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine and Jacklyn Green, ulcerative colitis patient, writer, and IBDMom, dig deeper into the idea of treat to target from both sides of the equation. Concepts discussed on this episode include: How the Fecal Calprotectin Test Is Used in IBD What Is a C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test? Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) Overview The Effect of Nicotine on IBD A Gutsy Feeling Find Neilanjan Nandi, MD at FITWITMD.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Find Jacklyn Green at www.jacklynhopes.com, Instagram, an

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects our quality of life. What that means, however, is going to be different for each person. It may depend on many factors including disease severity, access to care, and support structure. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as diarrhea can prevent people from taking part in activities that aren’t near a bathroom. Bleeding can cause anemia, leaving people feeling tired and unable to go about regular activities. Not to mention the effects on mental health, relationships, and finances. Danielle Gulden, ulcerative patient, ileostomate, and co-founder of Double Baggin’ It and Dr Nana Bernasko, IBD Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Penn State Health, discuss how to manage the effects of IBD on everyday life. Concepts discussed on this episode include: Rectal Bleeding and Inflammatory Bowel Disease The Impact of UC: Quality of Life The Impact of UC: Complications Types of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) W

Once people understand that symptoms like ongoing diarrhea and bloody stools are not normal, they need a way to overcome embarrassment and talk their symptoms over with a health care provider. Having an open and honest conversation will help ensure a quicker diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and getting the right treatment. On this episode, Rasheed Clarke, ulcerative colitis and j-pouch patient and author of Three Tablets Twice Daily and Dr Christina Ha, an IBDologist at the IBD Center at Cedars Sinai, provide support and guidance to patients with IBD symptoms, newly diagnosed patients, and anyone who is looking for a new way to speak with their health care providers about IBD treatments. Concepts discussed on this episode include: Jimmy Kimmel Gets a Colonoscopy with Katie Couric (and Dr Ha) The Impact of UC: Quality of Life How to Find the Best Doctor for Ulcerative Colitis Types of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Signs and Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis Comparing 6 Biologic Drugs Used to Treat IBD Find Dr Chri

How is IBD different in kids than it is in adults? When should kids be transitioned from pediatric to adult care? What’s next for IBD treatments? My guest is Dr Jeffrey Hyams, the head of the Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology and Nutrition at Connecticut Children's, and a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He provides a historical perspective on the treatment of IBD and is able to highlight how therapies have advanced over the last 30 years. He also gives some ideas about what’s on the horizon for IBD treatments and what gives him hope for the future. Concepts discussed on this episode include: How IBD Affects Growth in Kids and Teens Managing Ulcerative Colitis in Children Bradley S. Jerson, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, who appeared on Episode 77, Episode 78, and Episode 99 Comparing 6 Biologic Drugs Used to Treat IBD Find a transcript and more at: https://bit.ly/AIBD106 Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, an

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis) is being diagnosed in young people with greater frequency. Research on how to treat pediatric patients, and indeed how to prevent IBD in the first place, is still lacking. What’s not in short supply is the strength and resilience shown by pediatric IBD patients and their families. Meet Brooke, a pediatric patient at Connecticut Children’s Hospital who credits her dedicated IBD team with her ability to live a life filled with summer camp, dance, and tennis lessons, without the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Concepts discussed on this episode include: About IBD Podcast Episode 27 – Welcome to Camp Oasis Why Clinical Remission Is Not the Goal in IBD Avoiding Dehydration Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party," is from ©Cooney Studio. Transcript and more information available at: http

Did you know that being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease is a disqualifying condition to serve in the United States military? However, it seems that it’s not always an automatic reason for discharge. Lt Colonel Joshua Nelson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and needed to have ileostomy surgery. It cast into question his future as a pilot in the Air Force Reserve. Learn his story of how he worked with his medical team in order to keep doing the job he loves, his advice for others like him, and tips on flying that any ostomate can use. Concepts discussed on this episode include: Pseudopolyps in IBD

Ulcerative colitis surgery is sometimes viewed as the last stop for treatment but it can be a good option to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Vikram Reddy, Division Chief of Yale Medicine, Colon and Rectal Surgery, answers questions about j-pouch surgery including how patients feel about it, how he manages his patients after surgery, what complications might occur, and why surgery for ulcerative colitis is complicated and nuanced. Transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD103 Concepts discussed on this episode include: Yale New Haven Health Digestive Health Service What's It Like To Have A J-Pouch? Do You Need A Colorectal Surgeon or Gastroenterologist? Overview of J-Pouch Surgery Ulcerative Colitis Surgery Find Vikram B. Reddy, MD, PhD at Yale Colon and Rectal Surgery. Find Yale New Haven Hospital at Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and Yale New Haven Hospital. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound de

IBD is not a condition that is easy to diagnose or treat. People who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have needs that include guidance on nutrition. Diet is notoriously difficult to study but some research is starting to be done. Dannielle Jascot, MS, CNS, CDN, certified nutritionist and IBD patient talks over the recent results of the DINE-CD study, which compared the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and the Mediterranean Diet. Episode page and transcript: https://bit.ly/2YIaZXk Concepts discussed on this episode include: The Dine-CD Study and discussion of the results Local Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Chapters Buy Tickets to the Bottoms Up Event Find Dannielle Jascot on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party," is from ©Cooney Studio.

What should people who live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) eat? What diet plans are available? Barbara Olendzki, the Director of the Center for Applied Nutrition and an Associate Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, helped developed the inflammatory bowel disease anti-inflammatory diet (IBD-AID). The IBD-AID is currently being studied in pregnant people in the MELODY Trial. Barbara gives the lowdown on the IBD-AID, the MELODY Trial, and how and why she got started in the nutrition field. Concepts discussed on this episode include: The MECONIUM Study (Exploring MEChanisms Of disease traNsmission In Utero through the Microbiome The MELODY Trial Anti-Inflammatory Diet for IBD (IBD-AID) Find the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Center for Applied Nutrition on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,”

How do your pets help you with your IBD? I speak to Meredith Mangold, "The Bowel Battling Badass,” about the role her dogs have played in her life. She became seriously ill with ulcerative colitis, which progressed into a rare complication called toxic megacolon. As her journey with IBD progressed, she eventually needed colectomy surgery, and has since been diagnosed with other immune-mediated conditions. Her two dogs, however, have become a big part of her advocacy work and they help her manage the pain and loneliness that come with chronic illness. Concepts discussed on this episode: Toxic megacolon CT Scan Ileus Extra-intestinal Manifestations of IBD Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis Find Meredith Mangold of The Bowel Battling Badass at Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance P

The back to school period is already a time of so much change but once again in this pandemic, parents and school systems are also facing difficult choices. The experiences of families during the pandemic has been diverse, which means that individual needs need to be addressed. But how do we manage that? Dr Brad Jerson Pediatric Psychologist in the Division of Digestive Diseases, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Connecticut Children’s, puts some framing around these issues and how we might approach them. Topics discussed include making the decision to go back to school in the building, 504 plans for kids with digestive conditions, and helping kids to transition to school in a difficult atmosphere. Concepts discussed on this episode: 8 Tips to Help Kids With Special Needs Adjust to a New School Year What to Do When Your Child or Teen Doesn’t Want to Go Back to School What Should Parents Know About the Delta Variant, Kids and Back to School? How to Check On Your Child’s Mental Health Find Dr Brad Jerson on Tw

This is the second part of my conversation with Kathleen Nicholls, author of "Go Your Crohn Way: A Gutsy Guide to Living with Crohn's Disease” and "My Flare Lady: A Handbook for Today's (Diseased) Dame.” Hear the first part in Episode 97, where Kathleen tells us about her Crohn’s disease diagnosis and how blogging became the way she processes her disease journey. We talk about how to answer when people ask us how we’re doing. Which leads to another topic, and that’s how providers can ask patients about whether or not they want to pursue parenthood. Kathleen also gives blogging tips, including a hard truth, and offers advice to anyone who is newly diagnosed. However, I think her wisdom is important for long-term patients as well. Buy Kathleen’s Books: Go Your Crohn Way: A Gutsy Guide to Living with Crohn's Disease My Flare Lady: a handbook for today's (diseased) dame Find Kathleen Nicholls on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on her web site, KathFantastic.com. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com,

Life with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) brings challenges and many life changes but it can also sometimes bring unexpected opportunities. Kathleen Nicholls, author of "Go Your Crohn Way: A Gutsy Guide to Living with Crohn's Disease” and "My Flare Lady: a handbook for today's (diseased) dame” was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her 20s. She started a blog as a way to process her disease journey. She was stunned when people started reading it and when publishers became interested. Two books later, she shares the lessons she learned along the way. Buy Kathleen’s Books: Go Your Crohn Way: A Gutsy Guide to Living with Crohn's Disease My Flare Lady: a handbook for today's (diseased) dame Find Kathleen Nicholls on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on her web site, KathFantastic.com. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Mix and sound design is by Mac Cooney. Theme music, "IBD Dance Party,” is from ©Cooney Studio.

The patient advocacy space is lacking the voices of men and especially men of color. The result is that the IBD community is not diverse enough to provide the kind of support that they need. Jordan McConnell, the founder of Crohn’s Veteran, is looking to change the dynamics of the online IBD space. Jordan served in the military and was eventually discharged due to his Crohn’s disease. It was a shock and changed his career plans unexpectedly. His disease journey showed him that he needed to be the change and he developed his podcast and his brand to support men and the larger IBD community. Concepts discussed in this episode: Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) How to Prepare Yourself for Ileostomy Surgery Parts of the Small Intestine Find Jordan McConnell on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Find Crohn’s Veteran on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, Twitch, and on their web site, Crohn’s Veteran. Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Very

What is the next innovation in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Is it the microbiome? Stem cells? Or, is it the emerging field of bioelectric medicine? IBD is a complicated disease to treat and can bring complications and other, related conditions. The problem is the immune-mediated nature of the disease and how it affects the entire body. For Kelly Owens, who lives with Crohn’s disease, bioelectric medicine has bumped her into remission and changed her life in several ways. Today she goes by "Vagus Nerve Girl” because she had a device implanted in her chest that stimulates her vagus nerve. For her, this treatment has been a resounding success. Episode page and transcript can be found at: https://aboutibd.com/?p=1984 Concepts discussed in this episode: TED Talk: How electricity could replace your medications - Neurosurgeon Kevin Tracey Discovery and Functions of Acetylcholine What Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)? Find Kelly Owens on Twitter, Facebook,  and Instagram and on her blog, Vag

Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes. The intersection of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and motherhood is often left out of the discussion and single motherhood and IBD is pretty much ignored altogether. That's why I asked my close friend and co-founder of IBDMoms, Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, to tell me about her challenges and her successes living with IBD, a j-pouch, and being a single mom of a young son. Concepts discussed in this episode: What Are the Five Love Languages? An Overview of Asacol (Oral Mesalamine) How Does Implicit Bias Influence Behavior? Black Women Suffer Most From Restrictive Reproduction Policies, Study Shows Racial Disparities in Maternal Health May Be at a Pivot Point How Prince Shook Up the Music Industry Motherhood Unplugged on Lights, Camera, Crohn's Complete show notes and transcript found at https://aboutibd.com/?p=1965. Find Brooke Abbott on Twitter, Facebook,  and Instagram and on her blog, The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles. Find IBDMoms o