The Unprofessional Guide to inflammatory bowel disease

Chapter 1: What Is inflammatory bowel disease, Really?

Important notice: This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read in this guide.

So. You just got told you have inflammatory bowel disease. Take a breath. Seriously, take one right now.

You might be sitting in your car in the parking lot of the clinic. You might be on your couch with your laptop open, staring at a patient portal message that uses words you don't understand. You might be holding the hand of your partner or your parent or your adult child, both of you pretending you're not terrified. Wherever you are, whatever you're feeling, you need to know one thing before we go any further: you are not alone, and you are not broken.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a mouthful of a name, so let's break it down. "Inflammatory" means swelling and irritation. "Bowel" means your intestines, the long tube that processes the food you eat. "Disease" means it's a condition that sticks around for a long time, usually for life. So, boiled down: this is a condition where parts of your intestines get swollen and irritated, and it tends to stay with you. It's a chronic condition, which is a fancy way of saying it's long-term. It doesn't just go away on its own.