About Ibd

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are diseases of young people. Women are often diagnosed during their childbearing years, which means that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) enters into the equation when considering becoming pregnant. I talk with Beth Kiernan, a Teratogen Information Specialist at MotherToBaby about how women can learn more about how to manage IBD medications before conception, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. Get in touch with the experts at Mother to Baby via email, phone (866-626-6847), or text (855-999-3525). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.   Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Credits: Sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney. "IBD Dance Party" ©Cooney Studio.

Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as a child and undergoing j-pouch surgery in high school hasn’t slowed Sneha Dave down at all. In fact, it spurred her to found two groups that are focused on bringing young people into the patient advocacy space: the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network (CCYA) and the Health Advocacy Summit (HAS). Learn how Sneha grew the CCYA from its humble start as a newsletter, the opportunities that CCYA and HAS offer to young patients, and Sneha's secret to managing a work/life balance. Find the Health Advocacy Summit at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.   Find the Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.   Find Amber J Tresca at AboutIBD.com, Verywell, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Credits: Sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney. "IBD Dance Party" ©Cooney Studio.  

Living with a permanent ileostomy as a result of Crohn’s disease hasn’t stopped Ryan Stevens from participating in the sport he loves. He worked his way back from crushing IBD flare-ups and multiple surgeries in order to train for the ultimate triathlon: the IRONMAN. In this second part of Ryan's story, hear what happened to him while on the bike route, why the ostomy may actually provide an advantage, and Amber’s unfiltered thoughts on the competitiveness of the triathlon community. Find Ryan Stevens of IBD Swimming & Me at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at Verywell Health, AboutIBD.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Credits: Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney "About IBD with Amber Tresca" ©Cooney Studio 

A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and an ileostomy hasn’t stopped Ryan Stevens from competing in triathlon races. He swam through high school and college and was sidelined by Crohn’s just after falling in love with triathlon. He’s worked his way back twice from devastating flare-ups to get back to swim, bike, run, and now to the ultimate race: the IRONMAN. Come with us as we relive the IRONMAN Triathlon in Madison, Wisconsin and discuss how Ryan prepared and competed while living with IBD and a permanent ostomy. Find Ryan Stevens of IBD Swimming & Me, at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDSwimmer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tumbledgray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rp_stevens/ Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutIBD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/ Credits: Additi

Being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at any time or at any age is challenging. However, the pre-biologic era was especially difficult because of the lack of treatment options and the absence of some of the legal protections that are in place today. Danielle O’Connor tells her story of being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at a young age and how she managed her career as a special education teacher through many hospitalizations and surgeries. Concepts discussed in this episode: Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA): https://www.verywellfamily.com/understanding-family-medical-leave-act-4628330 Affordable Care Act (ACA): https://www.verywellhealth.com/affordable-care-act-what-you-should-know-1738904 Rectovaginal Fistula: https://www.verywellhealth.com/rectovaginal-fistula-overview-4587356 J-Pouch Surgery: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-j-pouch-surgery-1942967 Find Danielle O'Connor at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_mvoc Twitter: https://twitter.com/Youcant

People with IBD are often faced with unexpected challenges that are outside of those being experienced by their peer group. Jen Mcgregor of Crohnie Clothing found herself grappling with questions about her fertility while still in her early 20s. She had to act quickly in order to preserve her ability to have a biological child. Jen tells her personal story of working through the emotional, physical, financial, and even legal aspects of planning for her future fertility. Find Jen Mcgregor of Crohnie Clothing at: Blog: https://crohnieclothing.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHJBsqBLOFD0zDx9euyhLHQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrohnieClothing/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crohnieclothing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/crohnieclothing Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutIBD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/abou

  Caregivers play an important role in the disease journey. For Rebecca Kaplan, whose husband, Dan, lives with Crohn’s disease, caregiving has been a large part of her life at times. When she went looking for support for herself as a caregiver, what she found was a need for more resources. She went on to not only create a support space for caregivers but also to take a leadership role in the inflammatory bowel disease community that benefits everyone who is touched by these diseases. For more information: Sitz Bath Live Vaccines (Measles) Ally Bain and the Restroom Access Act Affordable Care Act on Rebecca’s Blog Pop Sockets at the Foundation Find Rebecca Kaplan at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaHKaplan Find the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation at: Website: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccfafb/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrohnsColitisFn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crohnscolitisfoundation/ Need Help With Your IBD? Call Crohn’s & Colitis Fou

In the final episode of my Summer of Activism Series, I asked Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles to help us better understand Congressional Briefings. During Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, she spoke at a briefing about IBD and minority health. It was an opportunity to bring awareness to this little-discussed factor of IBD and it presented some challenges and opportunities. Learn more about Congressional Briefings, how they are an important tool for advocacy groups, and how they have an impact on public policy.   See video of the Congressional Briefing on IBD & Population Health: https://www.facebook.com/ccfafb/videos/452493261950841/   Find Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles at: Blog: https://crazycreolemommy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCreoleMama Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrzyCreoleMommy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycreolemama/   Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Bl

If you have the chance to speak on behalf of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) community: would you take it? At first, volunteer and Crohn’s disease advocate Keri Flaccomio wondered if she had a right to attend a day on the hill event with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and lobby in Washington DC on behalf of the IBD community. Her experiences while she was on the hill helped her to understand that not only did she have the right, but she also had a responsibility to tell her story — and the stories of others living with IBD. Learn how Keri made her hill meetings more effective and how they helped her to become empowered as an activist.   Find Keri Ann Flaccomio at: Tumblr: https://mygutfeelings.tumblr.com/ Website: http://www.keriannflaccomio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keriannecdotes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/keriannecdotes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keriannflaccomio/   Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-401470

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can make people feel powerless and isolated. Participating in day on the Hill events in Washington DC with patient advocacy groups are one way to take back control and have your voice heard by those who can help affect change. Hear from Jaime Holland of Pretty Rotten Guts, who describes her experiences in lobbying on Capital Hill including why it’s important to her, how she navigates the day with mobility issues, and why the experience is empowering. Download your FREE copy of the new single, "IBD Dance Party," by signing up for the About IBD newsletter here: http://aibdnewsletter.aboutibd.com/music Find Jaime Holland of Pretty Rotten Guts at: Blog: http://prettyrottenguts.tumblr.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaimeEditor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightlyjaided/ YouTube: http://po.st/prKAKf Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abo

How does an IBD patient attend Day on the Hill events and meet with the offices of congressional representatives in Washington DC? What is it like to go to these events? In this episode I describe how I got involved in hill day meetings, why I do it, and what the process is like to attend. I also offer you my tips on how to make the best of the time spent in the capital in order to make the biggest impact on the people who can affect change in the lives of IBD patients.    How to Get Involved: Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation—Be an Advocate: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/be-an-advocate International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders—Advocate for Digestive Health: https://www.iffgd.org/advocate-for-digestive-health.html United Ostomy Associations of America—Advocates for a Positive Change: https://www.ostomy.org/advocacy/   Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.

How young is "too young" to get kids involved in activism? Gastroenterologist and activist Dr Meenakshi Bewtra started her kids on their activism journey at birth and continues by bringing them to marches, voter registration events, and postcard writing parties. Dr Bewtra shares her tips on how you can involve your kids in activism, why you should, and how it might make your life as a parent — and activist — a bit easier. Find Meenakshi Bewtra, MD, MPH at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrsMeena Penn Medicine: https://www.pennmedicine.org/providers/profile/meenakshi-bewtra   Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutIBD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/   Credits: Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney "About IBD with Amber Tresca"

Working with our local elected officials is important to having our voices heard. But attending local town hall meetings held by state or federal congressional representatives is daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. Shawntel Bethea of Chronically Strong describes her journey from sending an email to asking for support from her Congresswoman at a meeting in her district. She gives her tips on how you can make an impact in your community for people living with IBD. Find Shawntel Bethea of Chronically Strong, at: Blog: https://chronicallystrong.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrklcLJ7FvGtN-fOvJJM-jQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chronicallystrongblog/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/shawnbethea_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicallystrongblog/ Find Amber J Tresca of About IBD at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutIBD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD Pinterest: https:

For this first episode of my limited series, Summer of Activism, I’m answering a question that I hear regularly: how it is that I go to medical meetings such as Digestive Disease Week, Advances in IBD, or Crohn’s and Colitis Congress. I give you the answer as well as tips on how patients, bloggers, podcasters, and vloggers can work towards attending these, and other, scientific meetings. Here’s a spoiler: it takes dedication to improving the lives of people with IBD, commitment to doing the work consistently, and some professional networking.   Find Amber J Tresca at: Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutIBD/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/   Credit: "About IBD with Amber Tresca" ©Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What’s new in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments and what’s next on the horizon? Dr Peter Higgins, a gastroenterologist, IBD specialist, and researcher at the University of Michigan discusses what’s new in IBD from the Crohn’s and Colitis Congress meeting in 2019. We talk fecal transplants, healing strictures in the intestines, and the feasibility of custom ostomy products. It’s a conversation about cutting edge research on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis mixed with the practicality of using these treatments in the real world. Concepts and ideas discussed: Fecal transplants: https://www.verywellhealth.com/fecal-bacteriotherapy-fb-1942426 Stem cells for IBD: https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/are-stem-cells-the-key-to-fighting-ibd.aspx Precision medicine for pediatric patients: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/news/Pediatric-RISK Preclinical Human IBD Mechanisms: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/challenges-ibd/preclinical-human-ibd-mechanisms 3-D printing f

Does having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) make you feel like a princess? Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are not only painful, serious conditions, but they also carry stigma which leads to patients feeling isolated. Sophia Vicari, the founder of The Princess Promise, is creating a community that challenges the perception society has about digestive disease. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis while in college, it didn’t take long before Sophia decided she needed to work to help others in the IBD community become more comfortable talking about poop. Hear Sophia’s disease journey, what it was like for her to be Miss Camden County, NJ, while living with ulcerative colitis, and how she plans to help women with IBD find their inner princess.     Find Sophia Vicari and the Princess Promise at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprincesspromise/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprincesspromise/ Blog: https://theprincesspromise.wixsite.com/theprincesspromise YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel

Every person that lives with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis in the United States knows the challenges of dealing with health insurance companies. Denials of service are common, particularly when diagnostic tests are ordered or when a new drug is prescribed. A change in insurance carrier, which can come after a life event (such as getting married or changing jobs) or at the start of the calendar year is another time when patients may find themselves in the appeal process in order to get needed tests or medication. For Jaime Holland, a life change, an insurance change, a calendar year change, and a change in gastroenterologist culminated in her being in danger of not receiving her biologic medication on time. Hear Jaime tell the story of how the problem started, why she had to look to someone outside her physicians office and her insurance carrier to get it solved, and her tips to help you avoid similar insurance snafus. This episode is perfect not only for anyone living with inflammatory bowel disease (

Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may have a significant affect on intimate relationships. The reasons for this are as individual as we are but can include pain, fatigue, medication side effects, and problems with body image. Kait Scalisi, an NYC-based sex educator who founded Passion by Kait, has devoted her professional life to helping women and couples learn to reconnect with themselves and their partner in order to enhance intimacy and reconnect with pleasure. Kait lives with Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis, and therefore has a deep understanding of how chronic conditions can affect intimate relationships (both with oneself and with a partner). Hear Kait’s Crohn’s disease journey and learn how she helps people find their way back to enjoying their spark, both in the bedroom and outside of it.   Find Kait Scalisi at: Web site: https://passionbykait.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassionbyKait/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionbykait/ Twitter: https://twitter.

Many young people who are undergoing ileostomy surgery to treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have never met another younger person with an ostomy. Gaylyn Henderson, founder of Gutless and Glamorous, wants to make sure that people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) don’t experience the uncertainty and stigma that she encountered before her ostomy surgery. In between running a successful foundation and a support group for people with chronic illness, Gaylyn has also become a spokeswoman for people with an ostomy, proving that her ileostomy is not a barrier to success.   Concepts and ideas discussed on this episode: Crohn’s colitis: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-crohns-colitis-1942589 Proctectomy: https://www.verywellhealth.com/proctectomy-surgery-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease-4122490 Ileostomy: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-ileostomy-surgery-1942936 Stricture: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-lumen-1942954 Avascular necrosis: https://www.veryw

People who live with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis experience stigma because of their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The taboo topic of bowel disease can permeate all aspects of a person’s life, especially when there are cultural influences also at play.Tina Aswani Omprakash, who lives with Crohn's disease and a permanent ileostomy, shares her story of personal empowerment and how she is working to help other people with IBD live their lives with confidence. Tina describes how IBD has profoundly affected her family as well as why she decided to become an outspoken advocate for the IBD and ostomy communities and start her blog, Own Your Crohn’s. Concepts discussed on this episode: Pouchitis: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-pouchitis-in-a-jpouch-1942974 Rectovaginal fistula: https://www.verywellhealth.com/rectovaginal-fistula-overview-4587356 Perianal disease: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-perianal-area-1942412 J-pouch: https://www.verywellhealth.com/before-during-and-after-j