Tag Archives: Crohn’s disease

Hidden Ways IBD Affects You Over a Lifetime With Puja Khanna, MD — About IBD Podcast Episode 206

The truth about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is that it goes beyond the gut. In this first-ever live recording of About IBD, Amber talks with Dr. Puja Khanna from Cedars-Sinai to explore the extra-intestinal impacts of IBD, from skin conditions and eye inflammation to debilitating fatigue. Learn how sex-specific factors affect women and why building a multi-disciplinary care team is the best strategy for long-term health.

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How to Navigate ER Visits and Avoid Fragmented Care With Dr Stephen Lupe — About IBD Podcast Episode 205

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Emergency room visits are a source of stress and can lead to fragmented care. Amber speaks with psychologist Dr Stephen Lupe to learn why inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients avoid the ER, the reality of medical trauma, and how a multi-disciplinary approach like the IBD Medical Home can revolutionize patient care.

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Brown Note: Helping People with IBD Find Hope and Support With Andrew Giffin — About IBD Podcast Episode 204

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Amber Tresca talks with Andrew Giffin, a product manager in Toronto who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 19 after years of symptoms in high school. Andrew shares his experience navigating three major surgeries, adjusting his career path away from law enforcement, and learning to manage stress as part of living with a chronic illness. He also discusses developing apps, including Brown Note, a free, anonymous peer-support app for people with digestive diseases. Brown Note was inspired by his own feelings of isolation while preparing for his third surgery and is available on Apple, Android, and the web.

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Insider Secrets to Fearless Travel with IBD Featuring Sarah McGovern — About IBD Podcast Episode 203

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Certified travel advisor, business owner, and ulcerative colitis patient Sarah McGovern joins Amber to give tips and tricks on traveling with IBD. Sarah relates her IBD journey, including a rare medication side effect that landed her in the hospital. Now in remission, Sarah breaks down her blueprint for traveling with an invisible illness. On this episode, you’ll learn concrete, practical strategies for traveling with IBD and how a travel advisor can help you relax on your next trip.

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Is Your Eye Pain Actually an IBD Flare? — About IBD Podcast Episode 200

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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.

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The Insidious Reasons Why IBD Destroys Sleep – About IBD Podcast Episode 197

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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.

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Hospitals Are Investing in AI: What You Should Know

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By now, you’ve heard lots about artificial intelligence (AI) in the news, from friends and family, online, and even at work. You may even be impacted by AI in a significant way, especially if you’ve been laid off from your job, or if you’re a social media manager.

Or: if you’re a patient.

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How You Can Improve Intimacy When Living With IBD — About IBD Podcast Episode 195

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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.

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How to Bring an Intention to Your 2026 – About IBD Podcast Episode 193

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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.

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