Articles Index

Lotronex (alosetron hydrochloride) Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the drug Lotronex, used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Not Just Another Fish Story

Complementary and alternative therapies are frequently used by people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Could a fish oil supplement which contains omega-3 fatty acids be helpful to people with IBD?

Supplements for Crohn's Disease

Many people with Crohn's Disease try alternative and complementary treatments for their symptoms. Some of the supplements for Crohn's disease have evidence supporting their use, and some do not.

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Information about the causes, symptoms, complications, diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis of the liver, which can be caused by chronic alcoholism and hepatitis C.

The Differences Between IBD and IBS

IBD symptoms can be similar to symptoms from several other digestive diseases or conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). How do physicians tell the difference between IBD and IBS?

Bathroom Tactics

Finding public restrooms is a serious problem for the disabled, as well as people with bowel or urinary conditions. How can you find a bathroom to use when there isn’t a public facility available?

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in IBD

There are several factors which contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including medications, symptoms, and dietary considerations.

Digestive Basics - Diarrhea

A look at the symptoms of diarrhea, which are more than just an urgent need to use a restroom.

Smoking, Nicotine and IBD

Nicotine and IBD have a complex relationship. Smoking tends to worsen the effects of Crohn's disease, but ulcerative colitis is often called a disease of non-smokers. What are the effects of nicotine on IBD?

Traveling With IBD

Your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) doesn't have to keep you home! Find some tips for traveling with IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) here.

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

The symptoms of ulcerative colitis include bloody diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and abdominal pain.

Know Your IBD History

Inflammatory bowel disease does seem to run in families, but it may be difficult to track. Find out how to track the IBD history in your family.

How to Deal With Bloating and Gas

Abdominal bloating can be caused by many conditions, but a common reason is intestinal gas. If you want your pants to fit you again, you might need to find out what's causing your abdominal bloating and how to treat it.

Hemorrhoids Frequently Asked Questions

Hemorrhoids are enlarged, bulging blood vessels in and about the anus and lower rectum that may cause blood in the stool. Newer hemorrhoid treatments make some types of hemorrhoid removal much less painful.

Managing IBD at College

Having IBD at college means that you will need to take care of yourself, eat properly, and enlist the help of your friends and professors. How do you do that? Here are the resources to succeed at college.

Unusual Stool Colors: Red, Black, Green, Orange, or Pale

An unusual color to a bowel movement could be caused by a food or dietary supplement--but red, black, or green stools could also be a symptom of a serious problem.

J-Pouch Surgery: What You Need to Know

A j-pouch, or ileal pouch reconstruction, is a surgery that is used for ulcerative colitis patients, and is usually completed in two steps.

Fall = IBD Flare?

There is some evidence that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience a flare-up during the fall or the spring. One controversial theory links these flares to an allergic response.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Drug Pipeline

Learn about drugs that are currently being developed to treat Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Colonoscopy Prep

Worried about having a colonoscopy? Most people think the preparation is worse than the actual test. Learn about the most frequently used preparations for this test.

Types of Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is an extremely complex disorder, made more so by the fact that it can take different forms. The 5 main forms of CD are ileocolitis, ileitis, Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis, gastroduodenal Crohn's, and jejunileitis.

The Differences Between Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

The differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two primary forms of IBD, can be difficult to understand. Diagnosing the form of IBD is important because while they share many symptoms, the two diseases are treated very differently.

Apriso

Apriso is a form of mesalamine that is approved to treat ulcerative colitis. This drug is taken once a day, and the drug is released into the colon, where it reduces inflammation.

How IBD is Diagnosed

When a patient sees the doctor with symptoms that may point to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a series of tests are used to make the diagnosis. These tests can range from simple blood tests, to more invasive endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopy.

Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Most treatments for inflammatory bowel disease are either medical or surgical. Several drugs are used in treating both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and surgery is typically only used after all medical options have failed.