Updated Articles and Resources

By Amber J. Tresca, About.com Guide since 2000

Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Created: Sunday, February 11, 2007 Updated: Friday, May 25, 2012
Most treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are either medical or surgical. Several drugs are used in treating both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and surgery is typically only us...
What You Need To Know About Cimzia (Certolizumab Pegol) Created: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Updated: Friday, May 25, 2012
Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is the latest drug approved to treat Crohn's disease (a form of IBD). Learn about how Cimzia is taken, what the side effects are, and who should not use it.
What You Need To Know About Prednisone Created: Monday, December 01, 2003 Updated: Friday, May 25, 2012
Answers to frequently asked questions about prednisone (a corticosteroid used to treat IBD), including dosage, use during pregnancy, and other medical conditions which could contraindicate its use.
Summer Picnics And Barbecues With IBD Created: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Most people look forward to the warmer weather, but if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you might actually dread all the parties and get-togethers. Find out how you can manage your IBD at...
What Is A Colonoscopy? Created: Friday, May 18, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A colonoscopy is a type of test that allows a gastroenterologist to see inside the large intestine (colon) and look for signs of disease.
Discharge From a Rectal Stump Created: Thursday, July 20, 2006 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I have a colostomy and there is some discharge from my rectum. Is this normal, and what can I do about leaks?
What is a Normal Bowel Movement? Created: Sunday, November 21, 2004 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
What constitutes a normal bowel movement is not common knowledge, though it should be. There are actually gradations of normal bowel movements, and every person is going to have different bowel hab...
IBD And Alcoholic Drinks Created: Saturday, November 29, 2003 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Does having the occasional drink at parties worsen the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Find out about the effects of drinking on IBD.
What is Lactose Intolerance? Created: Sunday, November 23, 2003 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Many people experience symptoms of gas, bloating and diarrhea after eating milk products. It isn't necessarily a milk allergy -- it could be lactose intolerance, the most common condition in the wo...
Recipes For Eating With IBD Created: Sunday, August 17, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Eating right when you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be very tricky. Here you can find over 40 IBD friendly recipes to make mealtime easier.
Crohn's Disease And Ulcerative Colitis Diet Created: Sunday, October 22, 2006 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Food does not cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, during a flare-up, certain foods can exacerbate symptoms. What is the diet for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
Lactose Intolerance Created: Monday, July 04, 2005 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) in significant amounts is known as lactose intolerance. This very common condition can be treated through avoidance of dairy.
Understanding Colostomy Surgery Created: Saturday, March 06, 2004 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Colostomy surgery can often dramatically improve the quality of life for people with digestive disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colon cancer. Find out more about colostomy surgery.
Reader Stories: Potty Training With an Ostomy Created: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Potty training is a difficult enough task for toddlers and the adults that are training them, but adults who also have an ostomy (urostomy, colostomy, or ileostomy) face special challenges when pot...
Digestive Basics - Ileostomy, Colostomy, and Ileoanal Reservoir Surgery Created: Thursday, December 04, 2003 Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A description of the differences between ileostomy, colostomy, and ileoanal reservoir surgery which may be performed on patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colit...
Prednisone And Facial Swelling Created: Thursday, October 28, 2010 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Prednisone has a host of side effects. Is swelling of the face (moon face) a prednisone side effect?
Stages of Colon and Rectal Cancer Created: Saturday, November 22, 2003 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Every case of colon cancer is different. There are five stages, with several sub-stages. Here you will find a description of the stages of colon and rectal cancer, including treatments and statisti...
Who Should Be Tested for Colorectal Cancer Created: Monday, March 08, 2004 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
If you're over the age of 50, you should be screened for colorectal cancer. But how often, and with which test?
What Is A Bowel Obstruction? Created: Sunday, March 12, 2006 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
While bowel obstructions can be a complication of digestive disease, such as Crohn's disease, they can happen to anyone. Learn about the symptoms of a partical or total bowel obstruction, as well a...
Lessening Prednisone Side Effects Created: Saturday, November 22, 2003 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Prednisone is a commonly used drug to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Read how prednisone works in treating IBD, the side effects of prednisone, and how they can be lessened.
What's The Difference Between Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease? Created: Friday, May 06, 2005 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
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 s...
Top 5 Portable Toilets Created: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
The purchase of a portable toilet has been considered by many people with IBD who are frustrated with their inability to go very far from home. Read about a few of the portable toilets available.
Portable Toilets - Favorite Portable Toilets Created: Monday, June 08, 2009 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Portable toilets are great for camping and outdoor activities, but they can also be a serious stress-reliever for people who have IBD. Which portable toilet is your favorite?
Complete Blood Cell Count Created: Monday, June 21, 2004 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
A description of what tests are included in a complete blood cell (CBC) count test that may be ordered by your physician. This simple blood test can provide a variety of information to a physician.
Causes Of Red or Bloody Stool Created: Friday, February 06, 2004 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Red or maroon colored stools caused by bleeding are known as
What You Need To Know About Flagyl Created: Sunday, September 18, 2005 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
The antibiotic Flagyl (metronidazole) is used to treat infections, and in some cases may be used in inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Learn about the potential si...
Our Cat Has IBD - Feline Infiltrative Bowel Disease Created: Sunday, January 30, 2005 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
The human form of IBD in the form of ulcerative colitis has affected our family significantly. Now, the smallest, and furriest, member has developed a feline variety of IBD.
What Are Hemorrhoids? Created: Sunday, January 11, 2004 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
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...
Glossary Definition - Sitz Bath Created: Sunday, September 12, 2004 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
A definition of the term 'Sitz Bath.'
IBD and Pregnancy Frequently Asked Questions - Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Created: Saturday, November 29, 2003 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
Answers to questions about pregnancy and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) such as fertility and the safety of certain drugs.
How to Use a Sitz Bath Created: Sunday, August 20, 2006 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
A sitz bath is a plastic tub that fits over the toilet and can be filled with water. Sitting in the warm water for 15 to 20 minutes can provide relief from the discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas...
Green, Red, or Black Stool Created: Saturday, November 29, 2003 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
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 disease or condition.

Explore Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Must Reads