No person is an island. No matter how independent you are, there’s no doubt that it is important to make sure you have the necessary resources in place to make sure you can succeed in life–especially for those struggling with a chronic illness like IBD or diverticulitis.Â
Your gut health issues are not going away, and neither are we. It is important to assemble a gut health support team, both to support you and support your gut during the treatment process. During this IBD awareness month, let’s raise a glass to the unsung heroes of IBD treatment; your gut care team!
Your Gastroenterologist
Every person with gut health issues should have one. This is a doctor that specializes in gastrointestinal care, even when symptoms are less obvious or absent. It is essential to regularly check in with your doctor, since they need to know both when you are doing well and when you are not in order to make suggestions or alter treatment. IBD in particular is a dynamic disease that is influenced by environmental factors; therefore, keeping your doctor in the know makes sure that your personal treatment supports your ever-changing lifestyle.Â
It is especially important to take the tests the doctor prescribes to you to monitor your condition. When it comes to IBD or diverticulitis, one of the ways that doctors know how to adjust your treatment or keep abreast of changes is through the clinical biomarkers that are provided through regular medical testing. If you haven’t reached out to your GI this month, give them a ring to let them know how you are doing: even if you are doing well, it is important for your physician to hear this, as this helps them know that the current treatment is working for you.Â
Your Dietician/Nutritional Coach
Food is fuel, and making sure that you receive the appropriate amount of nutrients is essential for your well-being. For patients with IBD or IBS, there may be foods that would be beneficial for supporting your recovery, and there are certainly foods that do not. Speaking to a dietician or nutritional coach takes the burden off your shoulders in terms of figuring out when and how to achieve your goals by making sure you are well-fueled for it. Likewise, there are specific diets, such as the low FODMAPs diet, that can support gut healing and have demonstrated ability to reduce the frequency of symptom flare-ups.Â
Is it possible to follow diets based on a Google search? Absolutely. However, the benefit of having an expert to refer to is that you can receive dynamic, flexible suggestions that are catered to you and your lifestyle, based on the ever-changing and growing body of research and science surrounding gut health. This is not to mention that delegating the responsibility of having to be on top of the research and dietary suggestions to someone can be a boost to your mental health.Â
Your Psychologist
Speaking of mental health, it is important to take care of your mental well-being in addition to your gut health. Stress impacts the regulation of the brain-gut axis, increases inflammation, and is a leading cause of flare-ups. On the other hand, seeing a licensed psychologist, specifically one trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), demonstrates an efficacy close to conventional medical treatment in reducing symptoms and improving digestion.Â
Evinature!
That’s right! We are here for you; whether with our signature nutraceutical protocols designed to enhance and heal your gut, to answering questions with our wonderful Clinic support team, we are honored to be a part of your IBD journey.Â
Not yet a part of our family? Click here for a link to our free online gut health assessment, to create a tailored protocol just for you!Â
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
