Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) extends far beyond managing physical symptoms. The unpredictability of flares, medication regimens, and dietary restrictions create a psychological burden affecting most people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Mental health challenges in IBD are not a sign of weakness; they are a recognised clinical feature of chronic inflammatory disease […]
Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms reported by people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can persist even when the gut appears calm, affecting work, relationships, and quality of life. Understanding why fatigue occurs in IBD, and what can be done to address it, is essential for managing life with […]
Being told you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can feel overwhelming. The first few months after diagnosis are often the most intense, with new medications, symptoms to track, and much information to absorb. Understanding what to focus on in these early weeks can make a significant difference to your confidence, symptom control, and long-term outcomes. […]
Researchers at McMaster University in Canada have used bacteriophages to disarm a bacterium associated with Crohn’s disease, reducing gut inflammation and improving the response to corticosteroids in preclinical models. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, targets adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strains isolated from patients with Crohn’s disease. This is laboratory and animal research; phage […]
Researchers have identified a genetic marker strongly associated with severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially enabling earlier intervention with advanced therapies. The HLA-DRB1*01:03 variant, present in approximately one in 20 patients, predicts greater need for surgery and biological treatment in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Background IBD encompasses Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, chronic […]
Astore C, Nagpal S, Gibson G. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23:14380, 11 pages. DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214380 Background & Rationale Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, with increasing prevalence potentially linked to environmental factors including diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) obtained largely from diet, may reduce inflammatory responses in IBD, […]
Jia et al., Metabolites, 2023, 13, 16 pages. DOI: 10.3390/metabo13101041 Background & Rationale Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), affects up to 0.5% of the western population. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been proposed as preventive agents due to their anti-inflammatory properties, but epidemiological evidence remains conflicting. Previous […]
Belluzzi A, Brignola C, Campieri M, Pera A, Boschi S, Miglioli M. New England Journal of Medicine, 1996, Volume 334, Number 24, pages 1557-1560. DOI: Not available. Background & Rationale Crohn’s disease features remission periods interrupted by relapses, with recurrence risk greatest shortly after achieving remission, particularly in patients with elevated acute-phase proteins. Fish oil […]
If you have been asked to collect a stool sample for a faecal calprotectin test, you may be wondering what it measures and why your doctor has requested it. This test is now one of the most widely used non-invasive tools for detecting gut inflammation, particularly in people with suspected or known inflammatory bowel disease […]
Being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often means entering a new world of specialist appointments, monitoring and treatment decisions. Understanding how gastroenterology care is structured can help you feel more prepared and engaged in managing your condition. What gastroenterology care involves Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system. For people […]
Ready to take control of your gut health?
Join for Free