Personal Story
I Became a model after having my colon removed
By Gaylyn Henderson, as told to Sarah Z. Wexler My road to a Crohn’s diagnosis started when I was 13. I had always wanted to model, but I was sick so often—experiencing chronic loose stool and using the bathroom often—that I didn’t think it was a possibility for me. My pediatrician immediately referred me to […]
Blog
5 Common mistakes that can make ulcerative colitis worse
By Meghan Rabbitt When you live with ulcerative colitis (UC), you know that symptoms can return even if you’ve been in remission—and even if you’re doing everything you can to avoid a flare. Yet there are a number of missteps you might not even realize you’re making that can worsen your condition, says Matilda Hagan, M.D., co-director for […]
Research
Patients’ experiences and challenges in living with inflammatory bowel Disease
Purpose Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and imposes a considerable psychological, social, and financial burden. While the relationship between disease activity and quality of life is well established, the subjective challenges of living with IBD are more difficult to assess, and suggestions for improving patient experiences are lacking. The aim […]
Blog
How the western diet is wreaking havoc on our guts
By Markham Heid. GI researchers say that the rise of IBD and other gut disorders likely stems from a mix of factors. But, to a person, they agree that the much-maligned “Western diet” likely plays a starring role. “As soon as a country is westernized, IBD starts increasing, and I think diet is absolutely contributing […]
Blog
Natural remedies for inflammation
Written by Zawn Villines. What is inflammation? Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to illness. It causes blood vessels to dilate, which allows more white and red blood cells to reach areas of the body that are damaged. In the short term, inflammation is helpful. Acute inflammation helps the body heal from things such […]
Blog
Why spending time around other living things positively affects your health
By Markham Heid. How our environments rub off on us, sometimes literally Since 1989, when an American immunologist named David Strachan first introduced it, the “hygiene hypothesis” has gained attention and momentum. In its original form, the hypothesis held that early childhood exposure to germs — meaning infection- or illness-causing microbes — could protect people from […]
News
How online support groups can help during an IBD flare-up
Meeting my best friend Not only did I get support for living with IBD, but I met two of my best friends through online support groups. I’d spotted my now best friend, Danielle, posting frequently on the group for under 30s. She was just a year older than me and seemed very similar to me […]
News
Sleep & IBD disease activity
By Leslie Ann Berg, MSPH We’ve found that in order to make actionable, lasting behavioral change, knowing the scientific explanation for how and why something is occurring can be a potent stimulus for action. So, let’s dig into the research. Following strong anecdotal evidence in IBD patients, scientists began conducting research to see if there was […]
Personal Story
Hannah Witton: ulcerative colitis podcast
In this debut episode of Chronic, Lucy Pasha-Robinson is joined by sex educator and YouTube star Hannah Witton, who lives with ulcerative colitis. We dive head first into that enduring question that drives so many of us living with chronic illness round the bend – why are people so keen to offer up unsolicited advice […]
News
What is brain fog and what causes it?
Having difficulty concentrating. Feeling confused or forgetful. An inability to focus. Slow thinking or not thinking clearly. A kind of haziness or mental fatigue. Any one of these symptoms can be described as brain fog, says clinical neuropsychologist Caroline Gurvich of Monash University, whose research focuses on cognition and women’s mental health. But although it’s […]
Latest Articles
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NewsWhat diet is most likely to help ease Crohn’s disease?
People who have Crohn's disease often seek to ease their symptoms by changing what they eat, and new research suggests the Mediterranean diet may be their best bet. -
NewsStudy finds COVID-19 vaccines safe for IBD patients
Those being treated with advanced therapies report fewer side effects than the general population. -
News‘Good’ bacteria show promise for clinical treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Balfour Sartor, MD, Midget Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, is the senior author of a study that shows how a novel consortium of bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of healthy individuals can be used to prevent and treat aggressive colitis in humanized mouse models.
