Tag Archives: ulcerative colitis

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

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

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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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Experiences Are Solitary but Learning Is Communal

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

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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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About IBD Podcast Survey

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This short survey focused on About IBD Podcast will help me make content that resonates with you!

Living with IBD: How Caitlin McGinnis, LCSW Supports Mental Health

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AIBD Podcast Episode 129

Caitlin McGinnis, LCSW was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 22 and had her entire colon removed. This experience prompted her to become a social worker and specialize in providing mental health support for patients with various digestive health issues. Through her own experiences and connecting with support groups, Caitlin has learned the importance of creating communities, bringing awareness, and being a source of support for those going through similar struggles. She strives to provide her patients with the support she did not have when she was diagnosed.

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Unexpected Things to Buy With Your FSA

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For some people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis), yearly healthcare costs are exorbitant. This is true for myself, as there are yearly tests, check ups, and medications that insurance doesn’t fully cover.

For this reason, I’ve been using the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program for many years. The FSA program is offered through an employer, similar to insurance plans. Every year, either as an individual or as a family, you decide on a dollar amount that will be automatically pulled from your paycheck and placed into a holding account.

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Community Poll: Watching Food Videos While Fasting

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People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are no strangers to fasting prior to procedures. Or, in some cases, to manage symptoms. How people cope with this time ranges from not wanting food anywhere near to them to binging cooking shows. But why?

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About IBD Podcast Episode 127 – The Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook

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For years we were told that diet doesn’t matter in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We know now that diet is important in IBD. What’s still not clear is how we should be thinking about it in terms of management. Helena Murphy is a photographer, yoga teacher, and Crohn’s disease patient who brought her skills and experience to writing a book entitled, “The Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook.” She shares her secret to publishing her book, as well as how her life has changed since being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

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