Your IBD journey

“Top tips” for dealing with IBD

Many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) lead happy and productive lives. However, it can be difficult to understand how to balance IBD with your daily life, especially when you are recently diagnosed. Here, we offer advice on a range of issues that you may encounter as an individual living with IBD. No two people with IBD have the same experiences, but these tips should be a good starting point on your personal journey to living the life you want.

Dealing with diagnosis

A diagnosis of IBD can be upsetting at first, but it is important to remember that there are simple steps you can take to manage your condition. You may be able to find some useful points here to help you manage your IBD.

Watch the video ‘My IBD Journey: Life after diagnosis’, which offers practical advice on positive steps you can take following an IBD diagnosis and how to live well with it.

Prognosis

You do not have to let a diagnosis of IBD prevent you from achieving something amazing. Many extremely successful people have or have had IBD.

People with IBD have achieved success in almost all areas, not just sports and entertainment. Some of the most powerful and influential people in the world have had IBD.

Watch the video ‘My IBD Journey: Daily life’, which focuses on some of the common challenges you may face and suggests ways to overcome them.

Remission

Although you may feel well during periods of remission (i.e. when your IBD symptoms are less severe or no longer present), it is important to understand that flare-ups (i.e. when symptoms are more active) can be brought on, made worse by, or managed through lifestyle choices. Click here to read our tips and advice, which you may find helpful to consider both when experiencing a flare-up and when in remission.

Watch ‘My IBD Journey: Mission: Remission’, which explains the different types of remission. It provides advice on how you can work towards achieving remission, and the importance of staying on track with your treatment.

Pregnancy and parenthood

If you’re thinking about starting a family or are pregnant, you may have questions about how IBD could affect you and who to speak to for advice.

Watch the video 'My IBD Journey: Pregnancy & Parenthood', for helpful advice about starting a family, pregnancy and the early days of parenting.

The workplace

For many people, work is an important part of life, and your IBD shouldn’t stop you having the job you want.
Watch the video ‘My IBD Journey: IBD in the Workplace’, which provides support and advice about looking for a new job, how best to talk about your condition with your colleagues, and practical advice about managing IBD at work.

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