As with all autoimmune diseases, self-managing the condition will help you to avoid flares, recover quicker from flares and generally try to keep on top of your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We’ve compiled a list of seven things you can do to self-manage your Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis to help make your life easier and healthier, based on the website Get Healthy U.

Many people don’t understand the difference between IBD and irritable bowel syndrome and may play your symptoms down or compare them to their own. Explain the differences and educate others about the disease, this way they’ll understand why you can’t always socialize or why you may need extra time off work.

Discover seven things not to say to someone who has an inflammatory bowel disease.