Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is demanding. This life-long health condition affects your not only your digestive tract, but also so many other aspects of your health. At times, managing your symptoms, diet, medicines and doctors appointments can feel like a full time job.
Having a comprehensive health care team that looks out for you makes that job a little easier. At UPMC’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, doctors from various specialties work together to coordinate your care. That can help you keep your symptoms in check — and your IBD in remission for longer.
Here’s who you’ll see on your IBD care team. Each member of your health care team plays an important role in keeping you healthy so you can focus on enjoying life.
Your Medical Team
Your medical team helps manage any medical care related to your IBD. They use medicines and surgery, if necessary, to reduce the inflammation in your digestive tract. These therapies improve your symptoms and keep your IBD in remission so you feel better.
A Gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive tract. They’re the leader of your team, and help you to manage your IBD. Your gastroenterologist works with you to decide on a treatment plan based on your symptoms.
They may recommend diagnostic tests like a colonoscopy or endoscopy to better understand the extent of your IBD. They may also prescribe medicines or refer you to the surgical team if necessary. Your gastroenterologist also works closely with nurse practitioners, so you’ll have access to both for your medical needs.
IBD nurses
Nurses are the face of our IBD center, and the people you’ll come to rely on for so many things. They help schedule your appointments, refill your medicines, or answer questions about an upcoming test. You’ll get to know the nurses on your IBD care team quickly — and they’ll know you too.
Your Behavioral Health Team
Behavioral health is an essential part of your care because IBD takes a huge toll on your mental and emotional health. It’s very common to feel stressed, worried, anxious, or depressed when you have IBD. Your behavioral health team helps you with those feelings, so you can focus on feeling better.
An IBD social worker
An IBD-specialized social worker helps you manage stress and anxiety related to IBD. They use research-based techniques like behavioral therapy to help you identify and change thought patterns. Many patients also find therapies like mindfulness meditation helpful for anxiety or depression.
There is no one-size-fits-all mental health therapy for IBD patients. It’s important to work with your IBD social worker to try different approaches and find what works for you.
A psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. If needed, an IBD-specialized psychiatrist can provide extra support.
They have expertise in behavioral therapy and advanced relaxation techniques like medical hypnosis. A psychiatrist can also prescribe medicines, if needed, to support your mental health.
A Registered Dietitian
Nutrition therapy is another cornerstone of IBD management. It’s very common to struggle with what to eat when you’re feeling well, and what to avoid when you’re not.
Depending on the health of your digestive tract, you might have problems digesting and absorbing food. That might cause nutritional deficiencies. Often, people with IBD develop disordered eating because of so many food restrictions.
Your IBD registered dietitian helps you learn how diet and wellness affect your symptoms. They work with you to identify foods you can eat that will reduce inflammation and support healing. Dietitians also help you form a healthy relationship with food so you can maintain a healthy diet.
These core members of your IBD care team are available to you whenever you need them. And if you need any other type of health care specialist, rest assured they’re just a phone call away. We’re here to provide the specialized care you need to manage your IBD.
Sources
Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Integrated Care Models: Optimizing Adult Ambulatory Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Link