For students with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), going away to college can be a difficult experience. Dorm room mattresses and chairs may be uncomfortable, and walking to class every day can be tiring. Use these top picks to make dorm rooms a comfortable and relaxing place to study and sleep.
1. Extra-Long Twin Mattress Pad
A mattress pad can be helpful for those who wake up in the morning with aches and pains commonly associated with IBD. They are fairly inexpensive and are especially useful for use on those uncomfortable dorm room mattresses. (Many dorm rooms are furnished with extra-long mattresses.)
2. Heat Wraps
Heat can help relieve some of the discomfort of abdominal pain that is common with both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Put these heat wraps in a microwave for a few minutes, then use them on the problem area. To avoid burns, don't place a heating pad directly on skin or use it at the same time as a topical muscle pain reliever (such as Bengay or IcyHot).
3. Body Pillows
A body pillow is a handy item to have when getting comfortable is an issue. Fevers and night sweats are a frequent problem for people with IBD, and leaning against a cool pillow can feel great. It can support your back and be used between your legs at night for support -- particularly useful if you have problems with your knees and ankles from IBD-associated arthritis.4. Back Massagers
Back massagers can be large and expensive, but the more affordable models are pretty compact and effective in relieving lower back pain common to those with ulcerative colitis. These back massagers will fit on a desk chair or in a car, and they deliver both massage and heat.5. Lumbar Support
Going to college means lots of studying, and that means sitting for long periods in a desk chair. Desk chairs in dorm rooms are usually not particularly comfortable, which can exacerbate any back pain that may be associated with IBD. A lumbar support cushion can make a big difference in reducing back pain and making study sessions more comfortable and productive.
