Below are some resources and information available for people with IBD. Many of the resources are from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, a leading nonprofit organization focused on both research and patient support for IBD.
Where available, resource links are provided for both English and Spanish. Please note that the content may vary slightly between the two versions.
How is IBD diagnosed – A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that explains the process of diagnosing IBD. It highlights the importance of medical evaluation and various diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, imaging scans, and laboratory tests to determine the presence of IBD.
What should I eat – Created by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, this webpage offers general dietary recommendations and information for people living with IBD.
Find a nutrition expert – Made available by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this database was created for patients to search and find credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners by location, specialty, language, or insurance and payment options.
Nutritional therapy for IBD – Nutritional Therapy for IBD is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives and health outcomes of patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis through evidence-based adjunctive nutritional therapy.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient decision aid – The IBD Patient Decision Aid is meant to help you and your clinician discuss possible medication options for your IBD. It is not intended to provide medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for a clinician’s medical judgment. The decision aid includes information about IBD, potential treatment, and questions to help you consider what factors are most important to you regarding your treatment options.
Find a support group – The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation provides information on finding a support group for individuals with IBD. This webpage emphasizes the importance of connecting with others who share similar experiences and offers a search tool to locate local support groups.
Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses – The Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses provides information and resources related to IBD. This webpage offers support for individuals living with IBD, including access to educational materials, community events, and advocacy initiatives.
IBDMoms – IBDMoms is a resource and tool created by moms with IBD, for moms affected by IBD as patients or care partners. It also provides education, resources, and social events to ensure that the IBDMoms community has what they need to live their best lives despite IBD.
South Asian IBD Alliance – The South Asian IBD Alliance aims to create resources, research, and education for people living with IBD and healthcare providers of South Asian origin to minimize disparities, dispel stigma, promote early diagnosis, and improve access to treatment.
Girls with Guts – Girls with Guts is a non-profit organization supporting and empowering women with IBD and/or ostomies.
Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis – The mission of Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis is to unite and support the IBD Community, amplify awareness about the gravity of IBD, raise crucial funds, and foster meaningful connections among those affected by these chronic and incurable diseases.
Appointment guide – Created by the Color of Gastrointestinal Illnesses, this downloadable PDF helps individuals prepare for and get the most out of their medical appointments related to IBD. The guide offers practical tips and checklists for organizing medical information, asking questions, tracking symptoms, and discussing treatment options during appointments.
Effective partnering – A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that focuses on the concept of effective partnering between patients and healthcare providers in the context of IBD. Emphasizes the importance of open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making between patients and their healthcare team.
Shared decision-making – Focuses on shared decision-making in the context of IBD. Explains the concept of shared decision-making as a collaborative approach between patients and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about treatment options and management plans.
Mental health – A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that focuses on the connection between IBD and mental health. It highlights the impact of IBD on mental well-being and discusses common psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and body image concerns that may arise in individuals with IBD.
Open Path – Open Path is a non-profit organization that offers a platform to find therapists providing affordable in-office and online psychotherapy sessions for clients who are uninsured and underinsured. The page includes a search function to find a therapist by entering a city or zip code.
FindTreatment.gov – FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous search tool for individuals looking for treatment options for mental health and substance use disorders within the United States and its territories.
7 Cups – 7 Cups is an online service that offers emotional support through connections with trained volunteer listeners. The service provides free 24/7 chat for users to speak with listeners in support chat rooms. Spanish version is accessible by selecting it from the drop-down menu.
National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine – The National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained, and able to provide guidance.
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.
The Trevor Project Trevor Lifeline – If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.
Crohn’s disease treatment – A webpage by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that is dedicated to explaining the treatment options for Crohn’s disease. This page provides an overview of different treatment approaches, including medication, surgery, and lifestyle modifications.
Ulcerative colitis treatment – A webpage by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that provides information on treatment options for ulcerative colitis. The page provides an overview of various treatment approaches, including medication, surgery, and lifestyle modifications.
IBD glossary – A list of medical terms commonly used in the context of IBD created by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
The following are some apps that may help with mental health and stress through activities such as guided medications, coaching, stretching and breathing exercises, mood tracking, and games.
Headspace
Calm
Insight Timer
Sanvello
Meru Health
Happify
Training in health literacy, plain language, and culture and communication
Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) training
Resources for managing IBD costs - A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that provides additional resources on how to navigate the costs of IBD and resources on patient financial assistance programs.
Your guide to navigating prior authorization - A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that provides additional information about prior authorization and how the process works.
Patient Advocate Foundation - The Patient Advocate Foundation is a national nonprofit organization which provides case management services and financial aid to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses. Spanish version is accessible by selecting it from the drop-down menu.