3 Quick Things

Hi Everyone! 

Improve your health with this week’s three simple IBD tips and takeaways.

Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Little changes lead to big results. We challenge you to take one small action today to benefit your future tomorrows.

Give it a go and let us know how you do.

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A Happy Food Find: TJ’s Simply Almond Beverage

We love to see homemade versions of our favorite foods become more widely available at popular stores. Take almond milk for example, which is popular among people with GI issues. The best and tastiest almond milk is homemade. Homemade almond milk is creamy and free of the additives commonly found in store-bought varieties, such as preservatives and emulsifiers. 

But, homemade almond milk isn’t an option for everyone. That’s why we were excited to find Trader Joe’s Simply Almond Beverage. It’s made from just two ingredients: almonds and water. A 33.8 fluid ounce bottle is $4.99. Other brands put out similar additive-free nut “milks”, but they’re 1.5-2x the price. 

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in IBD

If you have inflammatory bowel disease, then you could have a risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

A new study, and the first to evaluate PTSD in IBD in the U.S., showed that approximately one-third of IBD patients reported significant PTS symptoms. Women with IBD were more likely to have symptoms than men, and people with Crohn’s disease reported more severe symptoms than those with ulcerative colitis. 

Post-traumatic stress symptoms can include nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, irritability, feeling detached, easily startled, and more. 

These results, and others from around the world, indicate an urgent need to assess and treat PTSD in people with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. 

If you suspect you have PTSD then be sure to speak with your clinician about treatment options. 

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Tell Every Lady About Ovarian Cancer

Take note! About two-thirds of women who get ovarian cancer die from it because the symptoms are nonspecific and there is no accurate screening test. We're sharing this information because the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are also normal symptoms of IBS, IBD and other GI issues: 

- Vague, persistent and unexplained GI complaints, such as gas, nausea, and indigestion

- Abdominal bloating, pelvic and/or abdominal pain, and/or feeling of fullness

- Unexplained change in bowel habits

- Unexplained weight gain or loss

- Unusual fatigue or back pain

- Shortness of breath

PLUS 

- New and unexplained abnormal postmenopausal bleeding

- Frequency and/or urgency of urination 

If you‘re experiencing these symptoms, then make sure your gynecologist is aware. Don’t assume they’re related to your GI health without talking to your doctors.

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Remember, there’s no one perfect diet for everyone with IBD. If you or anyone you know struggles with what to eat with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, then check out our new ebook, Eating with IBD: The Essentials.Do you have a question about these topics, or something else? Just reply with your question to this email and it may appear in an upcoming newsletter.

In good health,

Colleen, Bertina & Scott