Columns

October 3, 2019October 1, 2019

Taking Another Shot: Getting Vaccinated Against Pneumonia

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In my previous column, I reminded you to get a flu shot before the end of October. I also shared some advice to prevent exposure to the virus. In this ... Read more

September 26, 2019September 26, 2019

Preventing the Flu After Vaccination

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Monday was the first day of fall — at least that’s what the calendar said. In Texas, it was a record-breaking 100 degrees. One thing that’s not going to wait ... Read more

September 23, 2019September 19, 2019

Blood and Plasma Donations Are Needed to Save Lives

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

Right now, in the United States, we are dealing with a critical shortage of blood and plasma donations. The American Red Cross is seeking donors to address the situation, which ... Read more

September 20, 2019September 18, 2019

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep with IBD Can Be Challenging

Columns, It Could Be Worse - a column by Mary Horsley

Many factors can contribute to fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn’s disease, including anemia, pain, and medications. Patients feel tired, restless, lethargic, exhausted, and lacking in energy. Fatigue ... Read more

September 19, 2019September 17, 2019

Intestinal Transplants in Crohn’s Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In last week’s column, I discussed the autoimmune disease that caused my liver to fail. As I celebrated the second anniversary of my liver transplant, I thought about intestinal transplants ... Read more

September 12, 2019September 10, 2019

You Only Live Twice: PSC as an Extraintestinal Manifestation of IBD

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In my first column, I discussed how my Crohn’s journey began with my primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) diagnosis almost 25 years ago. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) estimates ... Read more

September 9, 2019September 5, 2019

Weight Challenges Complicate Life with Crohn’s

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

A stereotype exists that implies that if you have Crohn’s disease, you should be underweight. But it is possible to be either underweight or overweight with Crohn’s. People who are ... Read more

September 6, 2019September 4, 2019

How to Give a Self-injection with Crohn’s Disease and IBD

Columns, It Could Be Worse - a column by Mary Horsley

There are many medications for Crohn’s disease and IBD. There are pills, IV infusions, self-injections, and shots and mechanisms for disease management. IV infusions are usually done in a hospital, ... Read more

September 5, 2019September 3, 2019

Managing IBD and Its Complications Requires the Right Healthcare Team

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Football season has returned, and it feels like fall, despite the 100-degree weather. Our lives revolve around the “Friday Night Lights” of high school games and waking up on Saturday ... Read more

August 30, 2019August 27, 2019

My Experiences with Perianal Manifestations

Columns, It Could Be Worse - a column by Mary Horsley

Crohn’s disease manifests in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in a variety of ways. The eyes, mouth, skin, and joints can be affected, and sores and ulcers can occur, even ... Read more