Guest Post: MyTherapy

IBD: TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR DISEASE

Living with IBD can be difficult sometimes with unpredictable episodes and regular hospital visits that disrupts normal daily activities. However, if the symptoms are well managed, people diagnosed with IBD can live normally with the condition.

IBD has been a topic of interest for many people and has become a burden for ages since what specifically causes it is actually not known.

So much noise is made about diagnosis and treatment, that Little attention is given to how people diagnosed with this condition are able to accept and live with it for the rest of their lives.

Treatment may be medical, surgical or a combination of both. And sometimes, through nutritional support, where special diets are given via a feeding tube or nutrients injected into a vein to treat IBD. This helps improve overall nutrition and allow the bowel to rest. Bowel rest can reduce inflammation in the short term.

The combination of medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, pain relievers, antidiarrhoeal medications, iron and calcium supplements; which when taken as it should, makes life better and easier.

IBD doesn’t just affect people physically, but also takes an emotional toll because of the stigma that comes with it; sometimes, leading to depression.

One of the best ways to be more in control is to be informed – find out as much as possible about the disease. A social support system also goes a long way to help. Adhering to medication and monitoring diet and symptoms are essential for minimising the symptoms Of IBD and coping with it.

There has been some technological advancements in possibly finding a cure for IBD and helping people diagnosed with the disease manage their condition better like medication reminders that reminds patients to take their medications in the right doses, at the right time that will make them live longer healthier lives, and thereby empowering them to be in control of their condition.

Surely, these represent signs of progress and hope for those living with IBD, who have suffered shame in silence for so long.  Although there’s a long way  to go when it comes invisible illness like these, Increased public awareness and more useful tools like this are making life easier for the people with them.

This visual was created by the MyTherapy team, free app for Android and iOS