LIVING WITH IBD

We know Managing the physical symptoms of IBD  is just one part of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

There are several challenges faced by people  living with IBD  
  • Stigma of IBD
  • Navigating social situations
  • Managing relationships
  • Body image

Taking care of your mental and emotional health is just as important as treating your physical symptoms. If you feel you may be struggling with depression or anxiety, seek treatment from a mental health professional. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

It can be quite   isolating to feel like you are being treated differently because of your IBD .
Negative perceptions about the physical  symptoms of IBD can make it hard for you to feel understood and supported. Instead, we want you to feel empowered.
Learning to talk about your disease with friends and family can help combat stigma . Also  educate your friends and family about how you manage your illness while still living your best life.



Navigating Social Situations
Everyone needs to get out of the house and have fun, whether it’s a night out with friends, seeing a movie in the theater, cheering on your favorite sports team, or going to a birthday party.
Socializing with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis means having to plan ahead.
  • Locate bathrooms at your destination and along the way.
  • Talk to your friends and family about what kind of support you might need when you are out.
  • Check out restaurant menus ahead of time to make a meal plan without feeling rushed.
Managing Relationships Life with IBD can be a rollercoaster of physical, emotional, social, and financial complications, and your loved ones often go along for the ride. There are several ways IBD can impact your relationships. The ups and downs of IBD can strain relationships over time . Also your family members and friends often become your caregivers when your disease is flaring. 
You must  surround yourself with positive people who care about your physical and emotional health. A strong support system will value and respect you.
  



10 Tips for People Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  1. Learn about IBD and its signs and symptoms. If you don’t understand issues about your disease, make a list and be sure to ask your health care providers the next time you see them.
  2. Remember that everyone with IBD is different. There is no “typical case.”
  3. Find someone who you can talk to about your condition and who will provide a sympathetic ear.
  4. Eat a well balanced diet, take a daily multivitamin and other vitamin supplements if necessary.
  5. Don’t do more than you can physically manage but don’t do less than your potential just because you have IBD.
  6. Ask your health care providers what your medications are for, what side effects there might be and how long you should expect to use them.
  7. Once you have decided on a treatment make sure that you follow through; if medications have been prescribed, take them regularly as prescribed.
  8. Some medications need to be continued even when you are well; their purpose is to keep you well.
  9. Do not smoke, especially if your diagnosis is Crohn’s disease-smoking is known to worsen Crohn’s disease.
  10. If you have colitis you may need regular colonoscopies to screen for cancer-ask your health care providers if this applies to you.
https://www.worldgastroenterology.org/wgo-foundation/ongoing-wdhd-campaigns/wdhd-2010/10-tips-for-people-living-with-ibd