After a devastating Crohn’s disease flare, marketing executive Bari Gratton traded a high-stress career for the healing path of yoga therapy in California. Bari joins Amber Tresca to discuss the “Five Layers of Being,” the toxicity of “pushing through,” and how she is building community for the next generation of IBD patients.
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Did you know that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) isn’t only a digestive condition? It can also attack your vision. Your host, Amber J Tresca, breaks down some of the most common eye-related extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Learn how to identify the warning signs of episcleritis, uveitis, and scleritis, and find out when you need to see an ophthalmologist right away to protect your eyesight.
T.L. Wright, known as The IBD Athlete and author of The SCD Athlete Cookbook, tells Amber about her frustrating decades-long journey to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis. She explains the health reasons behind her pivot from triathlons and Ironman races to competitive bodybuilding. You’ll leave this episode with a better understanding of how to fuel for your sport or workout while managing an immune-mediated condition.
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What does a pregnant woman do when they need a biologic medication, but pregnancy isn’t included in drug trials? Dr. Sonia Grandi and Dr. Cristina Longo talk to Amber Tresca about the BIONIC study, a groundbreaking project using decades of real-world data to understand how biologics affect a pregnant woman and her baby. The BIONIC study is designed to empower patients to make confident, evidence-based decisions about their own health and their children’s future.
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Everyone needs sleep, but so many of us struggle to get enough. People living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis) know that a good night’s sleep can feel like a distant dream, whether it’s pain, urgent bathroom trips, or racing thoughts keeping us up. But why does IBD disrupt our sleep even during remission? And what is your sleep telling you about the risks of a flare-up? Learn more in this episode of About IBD Podcast, hosted by Amber Tresca, a longtime IBD patient and medical writer.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized in healthcare for many purposes. Patients are wondering how they can safely and effectively use AI tools to educate themselves and to manage their health. Amber and guest Michael Tresca discuss what AI is, how it works, and why skepticism and source verification are essential. They highlight practical, lower-risk ways patients might use AI, such as organizing personal health data, drafting appointment questions, and explaining medical terms. The emphasis is on ongoing education, privacy concerns, responsible use, and the importance of “trust but verify” when using AI for critical health decisions without professional input.
The bedroom can be a place of anxiety for people of all genders living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). How can you boost your confidence and deepen your connection with your partner while living with IBD? Dr. Stacy Friedman is a clinical sexologist and intimacy coach living with ulcerative colitis. She explains how IBD affects intimacy, body image, dating, and relationships. Dr. Stacy shares her personal experiences and professional advice, with a focus on communication, trust, and how to know if a partner will be supportive. In this episode, we talk about why intimacy is more than sex and give tips about how to manage challenges. Dr. Stacy also encourages listeners to seek out support and embrace connection in the ways that work for them.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. How can we approach AI with both curiosity and caution, especially as it becomes more integrated into daily life? If we’re not aware of it and looking for it, AI could become inserted into spaces where we aren’t comfortable with it. Amber talks with her son Brenden, a computer science student, about recognizing AI-generated content, the importance of media literacy, and the ethical challenges technology brings. This conversation offers some practical uses for AI, such as learning new skills or automating mundane tasks, while pointing out that creativity and critical thinking are human pursuits. We stress how AI isn’t a replacement for expertise and that we should all question what we see online to encourage the responsible use of AI tools.
We explore the idea of setting intentions instead of resolutions in the new year, which are more adaptable for people living with IBD. Amber shares clips from guests who explain their intentions, such as prosper, discipline, generosity, consistency, and the importance of taking breaks. Each guest highlights how intentions guide actions and mindset, emphasizing personal growth, resilience, and kindness, despite unpredictability.
Looking for your next great read? Host of About IBD, Amber Tresca, gives her year-end roundup of books, with brief summaries and reflections on each. The selections cover a mix of genres, from speculative fiction and psychological thrillers to memoir and dark fantasy, often touching on themes of trauma, community, self-acceptance, and chronic illness. Amber shares how the stories resonated with her experience as a GenX mom living with a chronic illness, offering both recommendations and caveats. She also discusses practical tips for accessing books affordably through libraries and apps, and encourages exploring local bookstores or thrift shops to boost your reading journey and sense of community.