IBD Leaflets

IBD club leaflets

The ibd club has produced a series of 35 leaflets - in six sections - which cover all aspects of inflammatory bowel disease. There are also 6 "top tip" postcards.

The leaflets and postcards are described below and can be downloaded by clicking on the title of each one.  Please note that these files are in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.  For more information on the pdf format, please click here.

Copies of the leaflets and the postcards can also be posted to you when you join the ibd club. To do this, please complete and submit the online registration form.

Introduction

1.  What is IBD?

Describes inflammatory bowel disease, outlining the differences between the two main types (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis); outlines the main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease; describes the different conditions that can be called inflammatory bowel disease.

2.  What is Crohn's disease?

Outlines the medical history, characteristics and features of Crohn's disease.

3.  What is ulcerative colitis?

Outlines the medical history, characteristics and features of ulcerative colitis, highlighting the different types of colitis.

4.  The IBD nurse

Discusses the role and relevance of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurse in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease; outlines what to expect during a visit to the IBD nurse.

5.  Glossary

Defines the technical terms you might come across when reading about inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatments

6.  Treatments

Outlines various treatments, their advantages and disadvantages and suggests how diet and surgery may be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

7.  Living with IBD

Discusses how inflammatory bowel disease can be managed by the individual through positive attitude, information and support from others.

8.  Surgery and IBD

Explains the main types of surgery that are used in the treatment of IBD, which one your doctor might recommend for you (depending on whether you have Crohn's or colitis) and what you can expect before and after the procedure.

Investigations

9.  Investigations

Describes the tests that can be carried out for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; outlines what happens during these tests and how the doctor uses the results.

10.  Causes

Discusses the many potential causes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

11.  Genetics and IBD

Discusses the possible genetic involvement in the development of IBD and which genes are thought to be involved, providing evidence from family, twin and animal studies.

12.  Complications

Describes the more common complications of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; outlines the treatments available for these complications.

13.  Extra-intestinal manifestations of IBD

Describes which parts of the body, other than the gastrointestinal tract, can be affected by IBD and how such manifestations can be treated.

14.  Colorectal cancer and IBD

Explains what colorectal cancer is, when to contact the doctor, and what you can expect if you are diagnosed.

15.  Osteoporosis and IBD

Describes what osteoporosis is, how it develops, how it is treated and what you can do to prevent it.

Symptoms

16.  Symptoms

Outlines the symptoms in mild, moderate and severe ulcerative colitis and in Crohn's disease.

17.  From diagnosis to prognosis

Outlines how the digestive system works, how it changes as IBD develops, and what you can expect to happen from the time you first experience symptoms of IBD, through to when your treatment plan is established.

Keeping well

18.  Maintaining remission

Discusses how you can help yourself to stay well and maintain remission by avoiding stress, eating healthily, avoiding certain over-the-counter medications, making the most of your spare time and holidays, etc.

19.  Preventing flare-ups and dealing with everyday illnesses

Explains how to reduce the occurrence of flare-ups in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; discusses how to keep healthy and avoid everyday illnesses that can adversely affect inflammatory bowel disease.

20.  Managing a flare-up

Explains how to tell if you are having a flare-up, what you should do about it, and what to do if you think that your treatment isn't working.

21.  When to call the doctor/nurse

Discusses the importance of regular monitoring by the doctor or IBD nurse; lists situations in which a patient should contact their doctor or nurse.

22.  Family and carer advice

Explores ways in which families - husbands and wives, parents and children, sufferers and siblings - could try to overcome the problems that a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease may bring to the family.

23.  IBD in children and adolescents

Explains how you and your child can cope if your child has IBD - what symptoms to look out for, how to deal with treatments such as dietary therapy, and how to discuss IBD with friends, family and teachers.

Lifestyle

24.  Diet and IBD

Describes a basic balanced diet for people with inflammatory bowel disease; explains how inflammatory bowel disease will affect the appetite and absorption of food; discusses the effect that resting the intestine may have on ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; outlines the impact of dietary management on ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

25.  Stress and IBD

Discusses the effect of stress on inflammatory bowel disease; gives tips for a good sleep routine; describes some of the more popular methods of relaxation.

26.  Smoking and IBD

Discusses the effect of nicotine on ulcerative colitis; examines why ulcerative colitis seems to be a disease of non-smokers whereas the majority of those with Crohn's disease are smokers.

27.  Fertility, women and IBD

Explores the effects of inflammatory bowel disease on fertility and suggests measures that can be taken to improve fertility; discusses the impact of pregnancy on inflammatory bowel disease; examines the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis.

28.  Holidays, travel and IBD

Explains the importance of choosing a suitable destination, the right kind of insurance and the best method of travel; suggests how to cope with unfamiliar food; discusses vaccination and other prophylactic measures that can be taken before travelling.

29.  Oral contraceptives and IBD

Discusses the effects of inflammatory bowel disease, and in particular Crohn's disease, on the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill.

30.  Employment and IBD

Discusses how to approach finding a suitable job; explains the rights enjoyed by both the employee with inflammatory bowel disease and the employer; stresses the importance of honesty with the employer.

31.  Insurance and IBD

Highlights the problems that people with inflammatory bowel disease may have when they are looking for insurance; discusses how to find companies that specialise in insuring inflammatory bowel disease sufferers.

32.  General hygiene and IBD

Suggests how to avoid infections by stressing good hygiene practice when preparing, cooking and storing food; recommends how best to avoid a gastrointestinal upset spreading to other members of the family.

33.  Sport, exercise and IBD

Discusses those conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease that may limit strenuous activity; suggests ways that inflammatory bowel disease sufferers can enjoy sport.

34.  Alternative medicine

Discusses the benefits of alternative therapies; lists some alternative methods of pain control and relaxation; explores the benefits of fish oils.

35.  Relationships, sex and IBD

Deals with the emotional and psychological effects that IBD can have on personal relationships and gives advice on where to go if you don't want to speak to your doctor or nurse about such matters.

Postcards

There are also 6 "top tip" postcards, which will provide you with some practical tips and advice on how to stay well and get the most out of life. The postcard topics are:

 01.  Travel and IBD
 02.  Diet and IBD
 03.  Maintaining remission
 04.  Managing a flare-up
 05.  Coping with IBD
 05.  Contact names and addresses

You can order any of these leaflets or postcards when you join the ibd club by submitting the online registration form.

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