About IBD

What's new in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments and what's next on the horizon? Dr Peter Higgins, a gastroenterologist, IBD specialist, and researcher at the University of Michigan discusses what's new in IBD from the Crohn's and Colitis Congress meeting in 2019. We talk fecal transplants, healing strictures in the intestines, and the feasibility of custom ostomy products. It's a conversation about cutting edge research on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis mixed with the practicality of using these treatments in the real world.

Concepts and ideas discussed:

• Fecal transplants: https://www.verywellhealth.com/fecal-bacteriotherapy-fb-1942426
• Stem cells for IBD: https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/are-stem-cells-the-key-to-fighting-ibd.aspx
• Precision medicine for pediatric patients: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/news/Pediatric-RISK
• Preclinical Human IBD Mechanisms: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/research/challenges-ibd/preclinical-human-ibd-mechanisms
• 3-D printing for ostomy: https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/digestive-health/how-3-d-printing-makes-ostomy-more-personal-and-less-problematic

Find Dr Peter Higgins at:

• Bio: http://www.med.umich.edu/higginslab/pdrhBio.html
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibddoctor
• U of M IBD School: https://www.youtube.com/user/higgi13425
• University of Michigan IBD Team: https://www.facebook.com/UMIBD/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Credits: Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" ©Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Does having inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) make you feel like a princess? Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are not only painful, serious conditions, but they also carry stigma which leads to patients feeling isolated. Sophia Vicari, the founder of The Princess Promise, is creating a community that challenges the perception society has about digestive disease. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis while in college, it didn't take long before Sophia decided she needed to work to help others in the IBD community become more comfortable talking about poop. Hear Sophia's disease journey, what it was like for her to be Miss Camden County, NJ, while living with ulcerative colitis, and how she plans to help women with IBD find their inner princess. Find Sophia Vicari and the Princess Promise at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprincesspromise/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprincesspromise/
• Blog: https://theprincesspromise.wixsite.com/theprincesspromise
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsxdtty50NGi6fPSOWcYqhA

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering and editing courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" ©Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Every person that lives with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in the United States knows the challenges of dealing with health insurance companies. Denials of service are common, particularly when diagnostic tests are ordered or when a new drug is prescribed. A change in insurance carrier, which can come after a life event (such as getting married or changing jobs) or at the start of the calendar year is another time when patients may find themselves in the appeal process in order to get needed tests or medication. For Jaime Holland, a life change, an insurance change, a calendar year change, and a change in gastroenterologist culminated in her being in danger of not receiving her biologic medication on time. Hear Jaime tell the story of how the problem started, why she had to look to someone outside her physicians office and her insurance carrier to get it solved, and her tips to help you avoid similar insurance snafus. This episode is perfect not only for anyone living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but also anyone who cares for those living with these diseases.

Find Jaime Weinstein at: *Blog: http://prettyrottenguts.tumblr.com/ *Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaimeEditor *Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightlyjaided/ *YouTube: http://po.st/prKAKf Find Amber J Tresca at: *Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703 *Blog: http://aboutibd.com/ *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibdcrohns/ *Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD *Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/ *Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/ Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis may have a significant affect on intimate relationships. The reasons for this are as individual as we are but can include pain, fatigue, medication side effects, and problems with body image. Kait Scalisi, an NYC-based sex educator who founded Passion by Kait, has devoted her professional life to helping women and couples learn to reconnect with themselves and their partner in order to enhance intimacy and reconnect with pleasure. Kait lives with Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, and therefore has a deep understanding of how chronic conditions can affect intimate relationships (both with oneself and with a partner). Hear Kait's Crohn's disease journey and learn how she helps people find their way back to enjoying their spark, both in the bedroom and outside of it. Find Kait Scalisi at:

• Web site: https://passionbykait.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassionbyKait/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionbykait/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/passionbykait
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PassionbyKait
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/passionbykait/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

Many young people who are undergoing ileostomy surgery to treat Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis have never met another younger person with an ostomy. Gaylyn Henderson, founder of Gutless and Glamorous, wants to make sure that people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) don't experience the uncertainty and stigma that she encountered before her ostomy surgery. In between running a successful foundation and a support group for people with chronic illness, Gaylyn has also become a spokeswoman for people with an ostomy, proving that her ileostomy is not a barrier to success. Concepts and ideas discussed on this episode:

• Crohn's colitis: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-crohns-colitis-1942589
• Proctectomy: https://www.verywellhealth.com/proctectomy-surgery-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease-4122490
• Ileostomy: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-ileostomy-surgery-1942936
• Stricture: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-lumen-1942954
• Avascular necrosis: https://www.verywellhealth.com/facts-about-osteonecrosis-189426

Find Gaylyn Henderson at:

• Blog: https://www.gutlessandglamorous.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GutlessandGlamorous/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GutlessGlamour
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutlessandglamorous/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

People who live with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis experience stigma because of their inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The taboo topic of bowel disease can permeate all aspects of a person's life, especially when there are cultural influences also at play.Tina Aswani Omprakash, who lives with Crohn's disease and a permanent ileostomy, shares her story of personal empowerment and how she is working to help other people with IBD live their lives with confidence. Tina describes how IBD has profoundly affected her family as well as why she decided to become an outspoken advocate for the IBD and ostomy communities and start her blog, Own Your Crohn's.

Concepts discussed on this episode:

• Pouchitis: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-pouchitis-in-a-jpouch-1942974
• Rectovaginal fistula: https://www.verywellhealth.com/rectovaginal-fistula-overview-4587356
• Perianal disease: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-perianal-area-1942412
• J-pouch: https://www.verywellhealth.com/before-during-and-after-j-pouch-surgery-4137938
• Ileostomy: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-ileostomy-surgery-1942936
• Step therapy: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/be-an-advocate/steptherapy/
• Abscess: https://www.verywellhealth.com/perirectal-abscess-2328821
• Pyoderma gangrenosum: https://www.verywellhealth.com/pyoderma-gangrenosum-skin-disorder-1943016
• Erythema nodosum: https://www.verywellhealth.com/erythema-nodosum-1943012

Find Tina Aswani Omprakash at:

• Blog:http://ownyourcrohns.com/
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ownyourcrohns/
• Twitter:https://twitter.com/ownyourcrohns
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ownyourcrohns/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell:https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog:http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter:https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

How does IBD affect your family? Do you know about the tools and resources that are available to help you on your disease journey? On this episode of About IBD, I talk with the Director of Patient Education and Support at the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, Catherine Soto, who outlines the many tools the Foundation provides for anyone with IBD, including those made just for parents, kids, and teens. I also spoke with Dr Rajeev Jain, who tells me about a new, one-of-a-kind resource for women with IBD who want to be mothers, called the IBD Parenthood Project. And finally I called upon Brooke Abbott, co-founder of IBD Moms, to talk about her role as a patient in developing the IBD Parenthood Project, and she entertains me with a small rant about social media.

1:50 - Cathrine Soto, Director, Patient Education & Support at Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, talks about resources available for kids, teens, and parents 24:21 - Dr Rajeev Jain of Texas Digestive Disease Consultants talks about the IBD Parenthood Project 35:35 - Brooke Abbott, the Crazy Creole Mommy and co-founder of IBD Moms, gives the patient perspective on the IBD Parenthood Project

Concepts and ideas discussed in this episode:

• Resources From the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation:
  • Camp Oasis: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/camp-oasis
  • Help Center: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/talk-to-a-specialist
  • Just Like Me: http://justlikemeibd.org
  • Quiz My IBD: http://www.ibdskillsquiz.org
  • Campus Connection: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/campus-connection/
  • Crohn's & Colitis Community: https://www.crohnscolitiscommunity.org/
• The IBD Parenthood Project: http://www.ibdparenthoodproject.gastro.org/

Find Dr Rajeev Jain at:

• Texas Digestive Disease Consultants: https://tddctx.com/staff/dr-rajeev-jain/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rajster

Find IBD Moms at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDMoms/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibdmoms
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibdmoms/

Find Brooke Abbott, The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles, at:

• Blog: https://crazycreolemommy.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCreoleMama
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrzyCreoleMommy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycreolemama/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

It's common for people with IBD to look online for patients who have a similar disease journey to their own. For men, however, there are fewer places to find such a peer because there are not as many men in the IBD influencer space as there are women. That's where Rasheed Clarke, author of Three Tablets Twice Daily, blogger, and ulcerative colitis and j-pouch patient steps in. Hear Rasheed contrast how his running career is different before and after j-pouch surgery, his thoughts on being one of the few male voices in the online IBD community, how we can encourage more men to share their journey, and the wild and wonderful thing he did with a toilet for World IBD Day in 2017.

Concepts and ideas discussed in this episode:

• J-pouch surgery: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-j-pouch-surgery-1942967
• Colectomy surgery: https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-colectomy-surgery-1943059
• Exercise and IBD: https://www.verywellhealth.com/exercising-with-ibd-4582068
• World IBD Day: https://worldibdday.org

Find Rasheed Clarke at:

• Blog: https://rasheedclarke.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rasheedclarke
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasheedclarke/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rasheedclarke

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney/ "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What compels a person to share their personal journey with IBD? For Rasheed Clarke, author of Three Tablets Twice Daily, his writing began as a way to keep track of everything for himself and his healthcare team. It quickly turned into a tool that he used to show those around him the stark realities of a life with IBD: bloody diarrhea and all. His coworkers and friends were shocked to learn how much he was coping with every day but not everyone close to him approved of his honesty. On this episode of About IBD, Rasheed digs into the positives, the negatives, and the responsibilities that come with being an influencer in the IBD space.

Find Rasheed Clarke at:

• Blog: https://rasheedclarke.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rasheedclarke
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rasheedclarke/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Additional sound engineering courtesy Mac Cooney, https://www.facebook.com/michaelandrewcooney "About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/

What is the microbiome, how might it be connected to IBD and other conditions, and how can it affect health when it's pushed out of balance? Dr Sarina Pasricha of the Christiana Care Health System gives me the scoop on how the microbiome is created when we are young and how it changes with our activities and diet, as well as why we should not try fecal transplants at home, and how a little bit of dirt is good for our kids. Concepts and ideas discussed in this episode:

• Christiana Care Health System 2nd Annual GI Symposium: https://events.christianacare.org/event/gi-symposium-2018/
• The American Gut Project: http://americangut.org/
• Fecal Bacteriotherapy (FB): https://www.verywellhealth.com/fecal-bacteriotherapy-fb-1942426
• DINE-CD research study: http://dinecd.web.unc.edu/

Find Sarina Pasricha, MD, MSCR at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DocSarina/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docsarina/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboutibd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

"About IBD with Amber Tresca" © Cooney Studio http://cooneystudio.com/ After completing her undergraduate training in biological anthropology and nutrition from Harvard University, Dr. Pasricha attended Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine for medical school. She subsequently completed her residency and fellowship at the University of North Carolina where she also received a Masters of Science in Clinical Research. She has published extensively in the most respected gastroenterology journals and has given more than 30 national presentations. In addition to receiving numerous teaching awards, she has received prestigious awards from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Pasricha's research background will allow her to best use evidence-based medicine to individually treat her patients. Dr. Pasricha's clinical interests include, but are not limited to, prevention of colon cancer, evaluation and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal cancer, and women's wellness and health with a focus on integrative gastroenterology. She has completed additional subspecialty training in motility disorders with a focus on esophageal motility, constipation, fecal incontinence, and prevention and non-surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. Dr. Pasricha is a native of Delaware and is an alumnus of Sanford School. She resides in Delaware with her husband and two daughters.