Category: Diseases

Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis

Here is a 20 minute talk by a British gastroenterologist about the role of diet in Crohn’s disease:

Below are some useful links to learn more about your disease:

  1. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada
  2. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
  3. Mayo Clinic IBD Information
  4. Database to look up information about drugs here.

Click here to learn about medications commonly used in Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis and their side-effects.

While the role of diet in Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis is currently unclear, it is POSSIBLE that avoidance of emulsifiers and highly processed carbohydrates such as maltodextrin could be helpful in preventing disease.  However until further studies are done, clear recommendations for patients cannot be made. Here is an excellent article about the probable role of processed foods in IBD and how to avoid them.

Here is an excellent article about food additives which may make our gut leaky. Also see the following videos:

  1. Preventing Crohn’s Disease with Diet (6 min)
  2. Are Emulsifiers like Carboxymethylcellulose and Polysorbate 80 safe ? (5 min)
  3. Ultra-Processed Junk Food Put to the Test (8 min)

Cyclic Vomiting Patient Tips for Travelling

  1. Be prepared. The more you can feel prepared for the travel, the eventuality of an episode and what to do if you have one, the less anxiety you have about it. Anxiety is not our friend. Prepare for what you can. Feel good knowing you are prepared. Lessen your anxiety knowing you’re ready for anything.
  2. Motion sickness aids. A good number of CVS sufferers also struggle with motion sickness. It can be a trigger for some. See 1f a motion sickness aid would be beneficial.
  3. Seabands. You can get these at almost any pharmacy and they fall under the category of motion sickness aid, but are also good for nausea. These can be also be used with the other motions sickness aids when you do theme parks!
  4. Temperature control. Some sufferers do not do well in the heat. Use the cooling towels to keep coot when you have to be out in the heat. Others are the opposite. They need heat. So pack a heating pad or one use hot packs for relief.
  5. Salty snacks. With motion sickness comes nausea. Pack the salty snacks and keep the nausea at bay.
  6. Peppermint. Pack the peppermint. Peppermint gum, peppermint chapstick, chase away the nausea without anyone knowing that you are struggling. Ginger is helpful as well.
  7. Vomit bags. Buy the ones on Amazon that absorb the liquid. This makes for discreet disposal later. Some travel with Zlplocs just in case.
  8. Be prepared for possible ER or admission. Check for possible hospital affiliations ahead of time and see If you will need to take your medical records or just a letter from your Doctor for treatment options should you require care.
  9. Rest. Fatigue is a common struggle and during travel can be more of a concern than you may be used to. Plan to take more frequent breaks and rest when you need to.
  10. Make sure you are keeping an eye on your triggers We know it’s vacation, but food triggers and sleep or chemical triggers can sneak up on you.

Adapted from CVSA Code Summer 2017 Newsletter