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Start your Treatment Journey to rethink how you're managing IBD, explore your treatment options, and learn the risks and benefits associated with each treatment. Complete all five challenges along your journey to earn your Senior Partner badge.
By the end of your journey, we hope you'll be driven to work with your doctor to find the treatment plan that helps you better manage IBD.
Treating your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most important choices you can make when it comes to overall disease management.
Depending on the treatment, benefits may include:
Choosing to not treat IBD may result in:
How well do you know IBD medications? Match the medication class on the left with its description on the right. At the end, we'll let you know how you did!
Challenge 1 of 5
Medications are an important part of your IBD management plan. Work with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of medications and make the treatment decisions that are right for you. Learn more
Challenge 2 of 5
Many people with IBD use complementary therapies to help manage symptoms. But it's important to understand that complementary therapies should not replace treatment with prescription medications. Additionally, you should always tell your doctor if you are using or planning to use complementary therapies, as they could interact with your medications or with other products.
Keep going. You’re on your way to earning the Senior Partner badge!
Roll over the commonly used complementary therapies below to see their potential benefits and risks:
Possible benefits Many people with IBD may experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies for a variety of reasons. Common reasons include lack of absorption of nutrients in the GI system, and elimination of certain problematic foods from their diet (which in turn means elimination of important nutrients). But vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid and iron supplements can help replace vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Possible risks In general, vitamins are considered low-risk, but excessive use of certain vitamins may be harmful, so it's important to discuss your vitamin and mineral needs with your doctor. Also, keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, vitamins are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Possible benefits Probiotics can help restore the "good" bacteria that normally reside in the intestines. Some scientific evidence shows that probiotics may help people with IBD maintain remission, and prevent and treat pouchitis — a complication that can result from surgery to remove the colon.
Possible risks Probiotics are generally low risk. Some people may experience mild gas or bloating. And keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, probiotics are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, the safety of probiotics in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems has not been adequately studied.
Possible benefits Fish oils — found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines as well as some nuts and green vegetables — provide an anti-inflammatory effect and may help relieve intestinal inflammation, but studies have not shown an effect on maintaining remission in IBD.
Possible risks Fish oils are generally low risk, but it's important to note that there are conflicting studies when it comes to their ability to relieve symptoms and maintain remission. Also, unlike pharmaceutical products, fish oil supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Possible benefits Aloe vera is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis who drink aloe vera juice have reported reduced symptoms.
Possible risks People with IBD should be cautioned that aloe vera, taken orally, has a laxative effect. Plus, it can boost your immune system. This can be dangerous for people with IBD, who already have an overactive immune system. Keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical products, aloe vera products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Challenge 3 of 5
What are you using (or have you used) to treat your IBD? (Check all that apply.)
Treating IBD is an important part of your overall IBD management plan. Even if you don't have active disease symptoms, treatment can:
This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor take a closer look at how IBD affects you, and determine if you could be doing more to manage IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
Challenge 4 of 5
Surgery should only be used as a final treatment option for IBD.
While surgery does bear some risk, it is an important treatment option for IBD. Plus, in certain situations not having surgery may be riskier than having surgery. Learn more
One more challenge to earn your Senior Partner badge!
Challenge 5 of 5
Starting today, I will: (Check all that apply.)
We are so glad you're being proactive in managing your IBD! This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor determine how IBD affects you, and your next steps in effectively managing IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
Treating your IBD is an important part of living well with IBD. This Doctor Discussion Guide can help you and your doctor take a closer look at how IBD affects you, and determine if you could be doing more to manage IBD. Be sure to print it, fill it out, and take it to your next appointment.
You finished the Treatment Journey and earned your Senior Partner badge. To save your badge in your profile, please log in or register.
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Two patients share their individual IBD treatment journeys.
Dr. Stephen Hanauer talks about IBD treatment options.
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