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Relationships are such a vital aspect of life. Relationships can help humans live longer and happier lives, but one thing to note is that relationships are never easy. It takes time and effort. Although relationships are not easy, here are some tips that might help the process. Specifically looking at being in a relationship with someone who has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), being that strong support for them can make all the difference in their journey.

When you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, it might be difficult to know what meals will best nourish your body. With inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diet and nutrition are extremely important, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can impact your body’s ability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients, which may lead to serious vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.

The "Saturday Night Live" actor was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when he was 17 years old. Like many other people with Crohn's, Davidson found it difficult to eat enough food to keep up his weight and energy levels. “There was a point where I couldn't get out of bed. I was 110 pounds,” Davidson told People magazine.

I learned early on in my time spent at doctors offices that speaking up and standing up for myself was critical if I ever wanted answers to my ongoing health issues. I had to learn how to demand doctors do certain tests (that I only knew about because I did my own damn research) even if they told me no. I had to learn how to push back, ask more questions and not settle for no as an answer.

I can’t believe it’s almost been ten years since I woke up in a hospital bed with an ileostomy bag – a day I will never forget. After battling Crohn’s Disease for nearly half of my life, the ostomy bag initially came with a major shock-factor, (this was done via emergency surgery), but with a few years’ experience, some trial and error, and the freedom the bag gave me to start living my life, I began to love my new body. I’ve rounded up a few of my most helpful tips and learnings from life with an ostomy, to help new ostomates adjust to their bags.

Let me start by saying that I have done everything wrong in terms of exercising with my diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2008, when I was 19 years old. I have always been active before and after my diagnosis, and always felt like I needed to go to the extreme of everything I do. I ran a marathon in the middle of a flare-up out of stubbornness. Then dove headfirst into Crossfit 5 times a week with minimal rest days, causing multiple flare-ups.

The moment you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness your world stops. When you’re told you have something that is incurable and you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your life, it can feel like the life you once had is being ripped away from you. The moment I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis feelings of anger, resentment, sadness and fear washed over me. I couldn’t picture what a “normal” life would look like living with an autoimmune disease, and honestly I just didn’t believe I could have one.

Before I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis I felt like my body and I were at war with each other. For years I never knew what was wrong with me and I became so frustrated with my body. I just wanted to eat without being in pain! Is that so much to ask for?! I vividly remember times where before eating I would think to myself, “PLEASE let this go well. Please don’t make me feel sick.” And that is just no way to live.