Tag Archives: ulcerative colitis

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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About IBD Episode 137 - Managing IBD Diet and Lifestyle With Clemmie Oliver

Managing IBD Diet and Lifestyle With Clemmie Oliver – About IBD Podcast Episode 137

Diet does matter in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Not only in how it affects the digestive system, but also in overall health. Adults with IBD have greater incidences of heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease, liver disease, and ulcers than do people without IBD. (Xu, 2018.)

For those reasons and more: thinking about diet and how it affects all these other body systems, as well as the IBD, is important.

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Top Gear Picks for Travel With IBD

Top Picks for Travel With IBD in 2023

A few days ago, I was talking to an IBD friend and I said how weird it was for me to consider traveling. 

“It feels like something other people do,” I said. “It’s not something that I get to do.”

It’s a mindset I’ve needed to overcome because traveling when I was younger and my ulcerative colitis was at its worst was a nightmare. Now I’ve had surgery to create a j-pouch and my disease is much better controlled.

There’s no reason I can’t go all the places and do all the things!

I still have to do some problem solving, though, so I thought I’d share some of the products I’ve found that made my life easier while bouncing around cities in the UK or heading up to Maine for a camping trip.

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About IBD Podcast 136 - Pregnancy and IBD: The PIANO Study With Uma Mahadevan, MD

Pregnancy and IBD: The PIANO Study With Uma Mahadevan, MD – About IBD Podcast Episode 136

Pregnancy while living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) feels scary. But thanks to the groundbreaking Pregnancy Inflammatory bowel disease And Neonatal Outcomes (PIANO) study, there is now so much more data and information to help moms and their doctors make decisions. Dr Mahadevan began the PIANO registry in 2007, which followed women and their babies through pregnancy and after. What was learned from this registry was how IBD medications, and especially biologics, affected pregnancy, birth, and infants. Learn how Dr Mahadevan has grown PIANO over the years, the most important findings so far, and how pregnant women can join the study and help the next generation of moms with IBD and their babies.

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Yoga for IBD With Desiree Schmidt - About IBD Podcast Episode 135

Yoga for IBD With Desiree Schmidt – About IBD Podcast Episode 135

Desiree Schmidt, a 500-hour yoga instructor and owner of a personal training business, shares her passion for helping people with chronic illnesses, which is inspired by her own experience with Crohn’s disease. She discusses how yoga has been key in her journey, both physically and mentally.

Amber and Desiree discuss the benefits of different yoga forms and how to choose the right practice based on whether one is in a flare-up or in remission. Desiree points out how it is important to modify poses when living with a health condition, including IBD, to ensure comfort and safety during classes. She offers insights into providing options for different needs, making the yoga accessible for everyone.

Gain valuable insights into the world of yoga, its benefits for chronic illness, and how to embark on your own yoga practice with confidence and guidance.

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About IBD Podcast Episode 133 - I Pooped My Pants With April Michelle Harris

I Pooped My Pants With April Michelle Harris – About IBD Podcast Episode 133

When is the last time you pooped your pants? Amber speaks with April Michelle Harris, who lives with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for over 13 years. April shares her journey, from her initial diagnosis to her struggles with depression and anxiety, and how she has managed to build a fulfilling life despite the many challenges that come with living with a chronic illness. 

We also dive into April’s new book “I Pooped My Pants”, where she shares her story and those of 20 other IBD warriors who have bravely shared their experiences with living with the disease. April’s book provides a refreshing and honest perspective on what it’s like to live with IBD, and it’s a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the disease and how it affects people on a daily basis.

Tune in to hear April’s inspiring story and learn more about living with a chronic illness, and how you can build a fulfilling life despite the challenges that may come your way.

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AIBD Episode 132 - RunPee: The App That Tells You the Best Time to Use the Bathroom During a Movie

RunPee: The App That Tells You the Best Time to Use the Bathroom During a Movie – About IBD Podcast Episode 132

Going to a movie can be a frustrating experience for anyone with a digestive or urinary condition. Not only are the bathrooms sometimes far from the theaters, it’s difficult to know when to duck out if nature calls. Enter RunPee. The RunPee app is designed to help moviegoers know when the best time is to use the restroom (a peetime) during a movie without missing any important scenes. The creator, Dan Gardner, discusses how he and his team choose the best times to use the restroom while still ensuring that users do not miss any critical moments in the film. Additionally, Gardner talks about the other features of the app, such as movie ratings and reviews, and the importance of understanding the needs of different demographic groups. 

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About IBD - Experiences Are Solitary but Learning Is Communal

Experiences Are Solitary but Learning Is Communal

There’s one question that I’ve been asked many times, and it’s one that I also ask others when I conduct interviews:

“What advice would you give to people who are newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?”

I see the importance of getting both new and veteran patients to give their experience with a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It might be fair to say that most people, in hindsight, whether this is weeks or decades later, can point out where their journey could have been improved.

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About IBD Podcast Cover Episode 130 - Up and Adam A Patient's Experience on Winning with IBD - Adam Finkelstein

About IBD Podcast Episode 130 – Up and Adam: A Patient’s Experience on Winning with IBD

Is it possible for kids to look at their touchpoints with medical care as empowering experiences? Adam Finkelstein, a medical student and author, shared his experiences of living with IBD from a young age, and how he coped with surgeries and doctor’s appointments as a child. Adam provides tips for helping kids develop positive associations with going to the doctor, which include building trust with healthcare professionals, being honest about what to expect during appointments, and creating a comfortable environment for kids. Adam’s book, “Up and Adam,” is a resource for children with IBD and their families. 

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