Tag Archives: support

About IBD Podcast Episode 153 - "Boo Can't Poo!" With Iris Wang, MD

“Boo Can’t Poo!” With Iris Wang, MD – About IBD Podcast Episode 153

Dr. Iris Wang, assistant professor in the division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Associate Program Director of the GI fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Amber Tresca discuss the stigma surrounding gut health and poop. Dr. Wang shares the experience of writing a children’s book focused on preventing and managing constipation titled “Boo Can’t Poo!” They also discuss the challenges of publishing a book on gut health and the potential benefits of talking about poop and toileting, emphasizing the importance of open communication and personalized treatment. Listen to learn about where you can get “Boo Can’t Poo!” and how parents with IBD can manage their anxiety around the idea of their kids developing IBD.

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The GEM Project With Chantel Wicks - About IBD Podcast Episode 152

The Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project – About IBD Podcast Episode 152

What is being done to help prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the next generation? The Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) Project is a research study from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada (CCC) focused on finding possible causes for Crohn’s disease by following healthy people who are at a higher risk for developing the disease. To talk about GEM, Amber interviews CCC volunteer Chantel Wicks. Chantel is the chapter president for the Durham Region in Ontario and the Chair of their Gutsy Walk, which is a fundraiser and event that takes place every year in the first weekend of June. Learn more about how the GEM Project is uncovering important information on the development of IBD and how to get involved in CCC and The Gutsy Walk.

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The Sherman Prize

The Sherman Prize: Awarding Excellence in IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients can sometimes feel as though there is not enough support and resources for our community. For a condition that is common and also on the rise across the world,[1,2] it seems counterintuitive that there’s not more acknowledgement of how difficult these diseases are to live with and to treat.

For patients and their families, knowing that clinicians and scientists are working towards developing tools and treatments that will help in managing these conditions can be validating and impactful. People who have devoted their careers to IBD aren’t doing it for recognition. But there is a way to honor their contributions.

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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month With Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month With Dan “Dry Dock” Shockley – About IBD Podcast Episode 149

Diagnosed with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP), retired Navy veteran Dan “Dry Dock” Shockley shares his remarkable journey of service, diagnosis, and advocacy. Following his diagnosis, Shockley became a passionate advocate for early detection and reducing the stigma associated with living with an ostomy. He emphasizes the importance of proactive medical care and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Through his advocacy work and personal journey, Shockley serves as an inspiration, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a difference for others.

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About IBD Podcast Episode 146 - IBD Connect With Lisa Fournier

IBD Connect With Lisa Fournier – About IBD Podcast Episode 146

A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD) affects the entire family. When it’s a child that’s diagnosed, it changes so many things and brings a host of challenges. Families experience many unmet needs related to IBD. My guest is Lisa Fournier of IBD Connect. Lisa is the mother of two children who live with IBD. Her experiences in helping them manage IBD at different stages in life compelled her to be a support for others. She worked with her local hospital to start a support group and eventually founded IBD Connect. Learn about the programs IBD Connect offers and how the community can support their important mission.

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Mental Health and IBD Why, Where, and How to Find Care

Mental Health and IBD: Why, Where, and How to Find Care

As anyone who lives with an inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis, collectively called IBD) knows: the digestive problems only tell part of the story.

Patients with IBD may feel isolated or lonely. It’s not common to know another person who lives with the disease when diagnosed. Plus, the signs and symptoms can keep people at home, where it’s comfortable and easier to care for oneself, and away from work, school, and socializing.

It’s rather a perfect storm for having problems crop up with mental health.

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Coping With IBD While in Military Service With Dr Anish Patel - About IBD Podcast Episode 141

Coping With IBD While in Military Service – About IBD Podcast Episode 141

What do all the new oral drugs available for treating IBD have to do with military service? Being diagnosed with IBD might mean leaving the military for some service members. Part of the reason is that it’s not possible to be deployed while receiving a drug that’s an injection or an infusion. But when a medication works well and happens to be in pill form: that’s a game-changer. Dr Anish Patel, the Medical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Brooke Army Medical Center gives an update on how IBD is treated in the military, what he sees on the horizon for IBD, and his best advice for every patient living with a chronic illness.

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Having a Screening Colonoscopy - About IBD Podcast Episode 138

Having a Screening Colonoscopy – About IBD Podcast Episode 138

Colon cancer is being diagnosed more frequently in younger people. It’s now recommended that most people get a screening colonoscopy at the age of 45. For people who  have a family history of colon cancer, the first screening should be when they are 10 years younger than the family member was when they were diagnosed.

My guest is my husband, Michael Tresca, who recently had a screening colonoscopy after turning 50. He details his experiences in using a newer prep and how he managed the process. 

If there is a person in your life that is due for their screening, I hope you’ll share this with them. And if you’re someone who is involved in administering screening colonoscopies, I hope you’ll listen to get an unfiltered perspective.



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Is Diarrhea Funny - About IBD

Is Diarrhea Funny?

A search of my computer shows that I’ve written on the topic of diarrhea several times already. It’s a recurring theme every few years, usually after a news event.

The latest circumstance, as I write this, is an incident that occurred on a flight between Atlanta and Barcelona in early September 2023. Reportedly, a passenger had diarrhea that was concerning enough to be considered a biohazard. According to CNN and other sources, the flight turned around after a few hours and went back to Atlanta. (CNN)

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