Columns

August 5, 2019August 1, 2019

Malnutrition Is Common in Life with Crohn’s Disease

Columns, Finding the Silver Linings - a column by Lisa Burks

When you have Crohn’s disease, malnutrition is a fairly common diagnosis and can be dangerous if it gets bad enough. Crohn’s disease often prevents the body from properly digesting ... Read more

August 1, 2019July 30, 2019

Paying the Price for Life: Selecting the Right Health Insurance Coverage

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

The one thing that causes me even more stress than our income taxes is figuring out health insurance. When I quit my full-time job to focus on my freelance ... Read more

July 25, 2019July 23, 2019

A Bloody Diagnosis: My Lengthy Journey to Manage Iron Deficiency Anemia

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Last week, I discussed my struggle with overcoming vitamin D deficiency. While my liver transplant has made it easier for my body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, I continue to ... Read more

July 18, 2019July 16, 2019

Prednisone and Crohn’s May Break My Bones

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Despite being a rough-and-tumble tomboy as a child, I never broke any bones until my 40s. In 2015, I broke my right foot. I wish I had an exciting ... Read more

July 15, 2019July 11, 2019

What Tests Are Used to Diagnose a Crohn’s Flare-up?

Columns, Finding the Silver Linings - a column by Lisa Burks

Those who live with Crohn’s disease know that at times symptoms become more severe, which is known as a Crohn’s flare-up. There is no specific test to determine if a ... Read more

July 11, 2019July 9, 2019

Cyberchondria Anxiety: When Self-diagnosis Becomes Self-defeating

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

A couple of months ago, I wrote about my first appointment with my new nephrologist, Dr. Mididoddi, and the possibility of facing another life-changing chronic disease diagnosis. After doing ... Read more

June 27, 2019June 25, 2019

The High Cost of Living: Paying for Vital Prescriptions

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

When I quit my full-time job to focus on my freelancing career earlier this year, I gave up a steady salary. Worse, though, I also gave up all the ... Read more

June 20, 2019June 18, 2019

Public Restrooms Are More Than a Convenience

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Where is the bathroom? It’s one of the first questions memorized when learning a new language or traveling to another country. In my column “Crohn’s Takes a Holiday,” I ... Read more

June 17, 2019June 14, 2019

The Struggle for Pain Relief During the Opioid Epidemic

Columns, Finding the Silver Linings - a column by Lisa Burks

People with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are no strangers to dealing with pain. Between Crohn’s and its related conditions, pain becomes a daily companion. That’s definitely one companion ... Read more

June 13, 2019June 11, 2019

Following in My Father’s Footsteps as a Crohn’s Survivor

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I inherited many traits from my dad: my need for organization and order, love of math, problem-solving abilities, and powers of deduction. I also received his sensitive skin and ... Read more