About the Epidemiology of IBD

(in Disease Basics)

Epidemiology is the study of the frequency and distribution of diseases in the population.

Air Travel 101-TSA FAQ

(in Patient Rights, Traveling)

An Introduction to Clinical Trials: Patients Take Part in Searching for the Cure

(in Treatments)

Thinking about participating in a clinical trial? It is best to understand the drug development process before you begin. Learn about the purpose and how to choose a clinical trial in this important information.

Appeal letter sample: Adalimumab Dosing

(in Medication, Treatments)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may receive authorization for increased dosing of adalimumab. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company.

Appeal letter sample: Calprotectin

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Medication)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may receive insurance coverage for the calprotectin stool test. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company prior to testing.

Appeal letter sample: Certolizumab Pego Boost

(in Medication, Treatments)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may appeal insurance decisions related to the dosing of certolizumab. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company.

Appeal letter sample: Infliximab & HACA

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Medication)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may undergo laboratory studies for serum infliximab and human anti-chimeric antibody (HACA) levels. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company prior to testing.

Appeal letter sample: Life Insurance

(in Finances)

Template letter for patients to provide to their life insurance company explaining IBD, their treatment and prognosis. Healthcare provider completes letter providing medication history and prognosis.

Appeal letter sample: Metabolite Level Testing

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Medication)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may undergo metabolite level testing instead of other testing methods. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company prior to testing.

Appeal letter sample: Ostomy patient assistance

(in Finances, Ostomy)

Template letter for patients requesting extensive or coverage for mental health benefits. Healthcare provider completes and patient submits request for coverage/extension of coverage to insurance provider.

Appeal letter sample: Private Dorm and Bathroom

(in Work & School)

Template letter for college students requesting dorm room accommodations. Healthcare provider completes letter requesting specific accommodations including single dorm room with a private bathroom in a residence hall. Letter is then provided to the patient's college or university.

Appeal letter sample: TPMT (thiopurine methyltransferase)

(in Diagnosis & Testing)

Template letter for professionals to complete so patients may undergo genetic testing for TPMT (thiopurine methyltransferase) enzyme. Healthcare provider completes letter and patient submits to their insurance company prior to testing.

Arthritis

(in Complications)

Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, is the most common complication outside the gastrointestinal tract. Learn more about the types of arthritis and treatment options

Biologic Therapies

(in Flares, Medication, Symptom Management, Treatments)

Biologic therapies are often reserved to treat more advanced or aggressive disease. This section provides information on biologic drugs including the different types, delivery, possible side effects, drug interactions, and special considerations.

Bringing to Light the Risk of Colorectal Cancer among Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Patients

(in Complications)

If you have had inflammation of the colon, you are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer than the general population. This brochure helps patients learn more about the risks and prevention of colorectal cancer.

CCFA Launches IBD Genetics Initiative

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Disease Basics, Treatments)

Recent studies have demonstrated that specific organisms in the gut can cause IBD in the presence of specific genes, and that specific genes only cause disease in the presence of specific organisms.

Challenges in Clinical Management of IBD Patients

This webcast discusses different clinical management challenges IBD patients face.

Clinical Trials Glossary

(in Disease Basics)

A control group, FDA, and informed consent are some of the words important to know when considering a clinical trial. A list of other important words and their definition are included in this glossary.

Consensus Conference: Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

(in Complications)

IBD are associated with an increased risk for developing colonrectal cancer. This professional article highlights important finding from a panel of international experts who convened to recommendations for the performance of surveillance. The findings are presented in the article.

Crohn’s & Colitis Glossary

(in Disease Basics)

Commonly used words about IBD are presented in the glossary.

Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis: A guide for teachers and other school personnel

(in Coping & Support, Disease Basics, Stress, Symptom Management, Treatments, Work & School)

This guide can help teachers and other school personnel to understand these chronic intestinal illnesses.

Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Emotional Factors Q & A

(in Coping & Support, Flares, Stress, Traveling)

Living with a chronic disease such as IBD can be emotionally challenging. Learning about coping and getting support can help with disease management. This brochure answers important questions and offers suggestions maintain emotional health.

Diagnosing and Managing IBD

(in Coping & Support, Diagnosis & Testing, Disease Basics, Health Insurance, Stress, Symptom Management, Treatments)

This brochure provides answers to the most common questions regarding diagnostic tests used for diagnosing and managing inflammatory bowel disease.

Diet and IBD

(in Diet & Nutrition)

Once you develop IBD, paying special attention to what you eat may go a long way toward reducing symptoms and promoting healing. In this article, we answer some common questions patients living with IBD may have regarding your diet.

Dieta y Nutrición

(in Diet & Nutrition)

The food that IBD patients eat can affect symptoms of IBD and may play some role in the inflammatory process. Learning more about diet and nutrition can help patients manage their disease symptoms.

Dr’s Orders - 10 Questions To Ask on Your Next Visit

(in Disease Basics)

Going to see your doctor can be an overwhelming experience -- but it doesn’t have to be. Establishing good communication with your health care provider, especially your gastroenterologist, can make all the difference and heighten the likelihood of better long-term results. Here is a list of questions that may help you on your next doctor’s visit.

Eating Tips To Get You Through The Holidays

(in Diet & Nutrition)

Eating Tips To Get You Through The Holidays

Employment Accommodation Letter

(in Work & School)

Template letter to request employer accommodations including office placement located near a bathroom; allowed to start work an hour later each day; other accommodations. Letter may be given to healthcare provider to complete and provide specific needs for the employee. Letter is then provided to the patient's employer.

Eye Complications in IBD

(in Complications)

Patients with IBD can experience an number of eye problems. Most of these conditions are treatable and do not pose any significant threat. Learn more about common eye problems in this fact sheet

FAQ: Health Care Reform

(in Finances, Health Insurance, Patient Rights)

On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law. This document provides answers to key questions about the new health care reform and how it may affect patients and caregivers.

Finding the Funds for College

(in Finances, Work & School)

Are you thinking about college - and concerned about rising costs. The impact of medical expenses on a family budget may challenging, but don't let fear of finances stop you from pursuing your educational dreams. There are many resources available for colleges, find them here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorectal Cancer & IBD

(in Complications, Disease Basics, Stress)

Discusses frequently asked questions about colorectal cancer (crc). People with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk for developing CRC than the general population.

GI Buddy App Available on iTunes

(in Disease Basics, Symptom Management)

I Have to Swallow That? Pill Swallowing Techniques for Kids and Teens

(in Stress, Symptom Management, Treatments)

Some kids, teens and even adults have a hard time swallowing pills. This fact sheet provided strategies to help them learn to swallow pills.

IBD & She: Focusing on Living While Managing IBD - 6/16/10

(in Coping & Support, Dating & Relationships, Diagnosis & Testing, Diet & Nutrition, Disease Basics, Medication, Pregnancy, Sexuality, Treatments, Women's Issues)

This webcast discusses: What are important gender issues in IBD? How does IBD affect intimacy and sexuality? What is the impact of IBD medication on fertility and pregnancy?

IBD Recipes

(in Diet & Nutrition)

Food affects everyone differently. Not sure what to eat... try one our recipes like grilled turkey breast, oven french fries or fish fingers. Try a little at first to see if it is ok for for your particular condition.

Immunomodulators

(in Finances, Medication, Symptom Management, Treatments)

As their name implies, immunomodulators weaken or modulate the activity of the immune system. This section provides information on immunomodulator drugs including the different types, delivery, possible side effects, drug interactions, and special considerations.

Influenza and IBD

(in Symptom Management)

Otherwise know as the flu, influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Some people, including older people, young children and individuals with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from the flu. You can learn more about how to protect yourself in this fact sheet.

Liver Disease and IBD

(in Complications)

Several complications of IBD are related to the liver and the biliary system. The liver may develop active inflammation, which usually subsides with appropriate treatment of IBD. Learn more about Liver Disease and IBD in this important fact sheet.

Living with Ulcerative Colitis

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Diet & Nutrition, Disease Basics, Stress, Symptom Management, Treatments)

The purpose of this brochure is to provide helpful answers to commonly asked questions about ulcerative colitis, such as what it is, diet, cause, is their a cure, among many others. The goal is to discuss the key points about ulcerative colitis and what the individual may expect in the future.

Managing Flares and Other IBD Symptoms

(in Complications, Disease Basics, Flares, Medication, Pregnancy, Sexuality, Stress, Symptom Management, Treatments, Women's Issues)

The purpose of this brochure is to help the individual manage their life with a disease that can at times be painful, uncomfortable, inconvenient, or embarrassing. Provides helpful symptom management and flare prevention tips in dealing with IBD.

Managing Inflammatory Bowel Diseases as a Young Adult

(in Coping & Support, Stress, Symptom Management, Work & School)

Although IBD can occur at any age, people are frequently diagnosed between the ages of 15 -30. This fact sheet provides helpful information for young adults to help them take charge of their IBD care.

Microscopic Colitis

(in Disease Basics)

Microscopic colitis is characterized by chornic diarrrhea caused by inflammation in the colon.

Next generation medicine: Individualized treatment

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Disease Basics, Medication, Treatments)

Across the field of medicine, doctors and researchers are gaining a better understanding of how various factors affect the path of diseases – putting individualized treatment within reach.

Nutrition and IBD

(in Diet & Nutrition)

Nutrition concerns of patients with living Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are extremely common, and appropriate. Patients often believe that their disease is caused by, and can be cured by diet. Unfortunately, that seems to be too simplistic an approach, which is not supported by clinical and scientific data. Diet can certainly affect symptoms of these diseases, and may play some role in the underlying inflammatory process, but it appears not to be the major factor in the inflammatory process.

Ostomates Food Reference Chart

(in Diet & Nutrition, Ostomy)

For individuals who have had ostomy surgery, it is important to know the effects of various foods on ileal output. View general food guidelines developed by the United Ostomy Associations of America.

Patient Question: If you are in remission, will there still be signs of disease seen during colonoscopy?

(in Complications, Coping & Support)

Pediatric Crohn's: Finding the Right Path to Care - 5/19/11

(in Diagnosis & Testing, Disease Basics, Coping & Support, Diet & Nutrition, Work & School, Symptom Management)

This pediatric webcast explains: Important differences between pediatric and adult Crohn's disease, the medical management of pediatric CD, the critical role of nutrition, growth and development of the pediatric Crohn's patient, and quality of life and support systems.

Pregnancy and IBD

(in Pregnancy, Sexuality, Stress, Symptom Management, Women's Issues)

Generally speaking, women with IBD in remission can become pregnant as easily as other women of the same age. Read information you need to know about pregnancy and IBD in this fact sheet.

Removing the Colon: Surgical Options and Opportunities

(in Ostomy)

Proctocolectomy -- surgical removal of the colon and rectum -- isn't anyone's first choice for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but sometimes it could be your best option.