Living

As a Certified Health Coach, I get this question a lot when working with clients who have IBD. And, as a Crohn's patient myself, I can honestly say that I once...

Having a chronic illness is hard. It's exhausting battling with my Crohn's day after day, and it's frustrating and stressful dealing with those who just don't understand or don't believe...

As a Crohn's patient on medications like Remicade and Azathioprine, my doctor asks that I get routine lab work done, usually every three months. I am an incredibly hard stick...

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes long-term inflammation and ulcers (sores) on the inner lining of the large intestine. The other common type of...

Have you ever dealt with mouth sores during a Crohn's flare? Or perhaps inflamed gums? How about just overall soreness of the mouth? Teeth sensitivity to certain temperatures? If you've said yes to...

Would you like to share your experience with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis and help others who are also living with the condition? We're looking to add new voices to our...

The unpredictability of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's flares can be anxiety-inducing. I would constantly ask myself, "Is it ever going to get better?" when feeling down during a UC flare...

Nausea is a symptom that is all too common for those with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Unfortunately it comes with the diagnosis and must be dealt with regularly. For me...

During the early years of my ulcerative colitis diagnosis, I used to go about my days wearing a mask. Not a surgical-style mask like many of us have worn throughout...

I am a huge advocate of speaking about my disease. Since being diagnosed in 2009, I have shared my high and low points, the several medications I have tried that have...

In my experience, ulcerative colitis flares happen at the worst possible moment. In those times, I'm not able to think as clearly or react as well as I'd like, which...

There I was, my hair curled, my make-up done, smiling brightly as my mom and future mother-in-law zipped up my dress. My bridal party cheered and held up their glasses...

My husband and I have been married for 5 years, been together for 9, and we met just 3 weeks after my partial colectomy for my Crohn's disease. It may...

Another flare. Another drug. It's the cyclical nature of life with IBD. After years of remission, I have returned to the land of medication. Mind you, I've returned kicking and...

It wasn't long ago that my GI was basically on my speed dial. Whenever I had a health issue, the first call I made was to my gastroenterologist, as I...

The dictionary defines pain as "physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury" and pain relief as "the alleviation of pain by means of medication." But is medication the...

This has been a really hard season for my IBD. I've been having flare-like symptoms, but they've been associated with other health issues too. Sometimes I'm sure it's my Crohn's...

A reality exists that incites immediate fear and anguish for anyone with inflammatory bowel disease. This reality, when it arrives, hits hard and sends quivers throughout the body like bolts...

SIBO is the acronym for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, something commonly experienced by those with Crohn's, yet often misdiagnosed or overlooked. SIBO occurs when there is an increase in the...

These days nurses are constantly commenting on how hard it is to get at my veins during bloodwork. My heart rate gets too rapid and sometimes I even feel sick...