Community can help people with IBD access disease information and feel less alone. Amber talks with Aaron Blocker about the importance of finding and creating community for those living with IBD. They explore how online groups provide support and counter misinformation, while also discussing the importance of being cautious when sharing personal experiences online. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, learning from mistakes, and prioritizing the well-being of others.
We get back to the basics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the differences between Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and how IBD is different than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBDologist Dr Katie Dunleavy explains common symptoms, the diagnostic process, and treatment options, focusing on patient advocacy, regular screenings, and open communication with physicians and other healthcare providers. Also included is the importance of diet, stress management, second opinions, and multidisciplinary care in managing IBD. If you or your loved one lives with IBD, you will learn something new, and if there’s someone in your life who could use help in understanding IBD, this is the episode to share with them.
Stress is a huge problem for people who live with immune-mediated conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The condition causes tension in all the parts of our lives. We can’t get rid of it, so we need to find ways to either minimize it or manage it. I talk to Dr. Jin Lee, neuropsychologist and CEO of IMIdeology, about managing stress while living with chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD and lupus. We discuss the impact of chronic stress on health, the challenges of fragmented care, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary, holistic approach. Dr. Lee shares practical, easy-to-implement stress management tips that you can do even when sitting at a stoplight! Plus, we tell you about the upcoming “Bridging Autoimmunity: Patient Forum” taking place on September 13th in Dobbs Ferry, NY. You’ll come away from this episode understanding how integrated care, community support, and small daily habits can improve quality of life with chronic illness.
A children’s book leads to this conversation, which bridges the worlds of chronic illness, creativity, and connection. I talk with MB (Britt) Mooney, author of “The Mouse Who Couldn’t Eat Cheese,” a children’s book inspired by a young woman named Alex who lived with severe Crohn’s disease. MB, a science fiction and fantasy author, stepped outside his usual genre to create a story that helps kids and families understand invisible illnesses and the power of friendship. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes insight on MB’s creative process, the lessons learned from working with Alex’s family, and the message he hopes every reader takes away—whether they live with inflammatory bowel disease or not.
Grassroots organizations are an important part of the IBD landscape, helping fill in the many gaps in our underserved community. Amber talks with Angela Clark, president and CEO of Propel a Cure, a grassroots nonprofit that funds research projects looking for the causes of Crohn’s disease. They discuss the challenges of finding cures for IBD and the importance of supporting innovative, early-stage research. Angela explains their grant selection process, highlights current research they fund, and shares how the organization communicates complex science to the IBD community.
Amber interviews Dr. Ali Navidi, a gastropsychologist specializing in mental health for people with gastrointestinal disorders. They discuss the importance of addressing mental health alongside conditions like IBD and IBS, highlighting the stigma surrounding these issues. Dr. Navidi explains cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis, emphasizing their effectiveness in managing symptoms. He also shares insights on the challenges of accessing mental health care and introduces a new therapeutic group program for IBD patients developed in collaboration with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, aimed at making treatment more accessible and affordable.
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Elizabeth Coldrick, a nutritional therapist and breathwork facilitator living with IBD and a permanent ostomy shares her experiences living in Bali, the challenges and benefits of managing IBD abroad, and the importance of nutrition and breathwork for mental and physical health. She explains how breathwork can reduce stress and inflammation, offers a simple breathing exercise, and discusses her new nutrition e-book for people with ostomies. The episode highlights self-care, community, and practical strategies for living well with IBD.
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Jonathan Stewart, co-founder of Evergreen Adventures, a nonprofit focused on connecting the chronic illness community with outdoor activities, shares his journey with type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and sarcoidosis. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of staying active despite health challenges, describes the need for planning outdoor adventures, and encourages everyone to find joy in nature, no matter the circumstances.
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Victoria, from the patient-led, charitable organization GetYourBellyOut, shares her journey with ulcerative colitis. She describes the unique role of patient advocacy and the importance of community support, as well as the innovative projects that GetYourBellyOut is undertaking to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
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Amber and gastroenterologist Dr Neil Parikh discuss technology’s impact on IBD management. Dr Parikh emphasizes the importance of patient diaries and open communication between patients and providers. They also address concerns about data privacy, integrating holistic approaches in patient care, and the potential of wearable technology in gastroenterology.
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