Living

IBD has its fair share of embarrassing symptoms. From its smells to its sounds, there are parts of your illness you may wish to keep private. Maybe it's which of...

One of the most frustrating parts of inflammatory bowel disease is that everyone is different when it comes to how they manage their condition. What one person can tolerate eating...

It's the holidays. My husband and I are driving from Ohio to Florida to visit family. As typical with long drives, miles without restroom breaks can be challenging for those...

Almost everyone, I think, eventually needs to make the decision for surgery no matter what it is. Sometimes it's an easy decision, sometimes it's hard, and sometimes it’s made for...

Flares: doubled-over, balled-up, all-consuming flares. The worst symptoms of Crohn's and colitis flare-ups can come in many forms – pain, fatigue, nausea, bleeding. Perhaps it involves hours of sitting in...

This month, I'm struggling with Crohn's symptoms and have been relying on elemental drinks when things get difficult. I thought it might be useful for me to share a guide...

I regularly see people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis ask if the symptoms they are experiencing are normal. They are usually asking because they're unsure whether they should contact...

Living with a chronic illness like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis (UC) will test you. It will test your pain tolerance, your patience, and your relationships. Your families, friends, and spouses...

My partner and I adopted our cat, Toomi Moo, about 2 years ago. My most recent flare started about 8 months ago, and it was Toomi's first experience with my...

I'm sure you can relate to my current plight. I was on a roll with improving my Crohn's disease and feeling better. It's just getting to the 2-year mark with this...

No, IBD is not IBS. No, I will not suddenly "get better." No, changing my diet will not make it go away. When it comes to Crohn's and colitis, it...

"Do you want to put your water in the fridge?" Dad posed this question as he handed me a freshly-filled water flask. During a recent holiday, my husband and I...

McGill University conducted a study in 2010 that suggested vitamin D can counter the deleterious effects of Crohn's disease. As Dr. White put it, a professor in McGill's Department of...

"The HidrateSpark Summer Kickoff Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest!" We're kicking off the hot days of summer with a hydrating giveaway! If you're living with Crohn's...

To the average person, hearing about ulcerative colitis is disturbing. I'm used to all of it now – used to thinking about how many times I've used the bathroom and...

Just like death and taxes, change is guaranteed in life. While I think most everyone struggles with navigating big changes, having ulcerative colitis can make that process even more harrowing...

As I've gotten older, I've become more health-conscious. Don't get me wrong. I was always interested in cutting out trigger foods and averting environmental toxins. The difference is I've tried...

When handed a lifelong illness, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is almost impossible, especially since this tunnel has no...

The decision to have a child is a difficult one for lots of prospective parents. There are a lot of questions to consider, whether that's financials, childcare, or even the...

When I was first diagnosed with Crohn's, I was told to stay away from alcohol and caffeine. Since I loved the taste of coffee, I would order decaf. I did not touch...