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IBD — Crohn's & Ulcerative Colitis

News on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — treatments, biologics, flare management, and emerging research.

3 million Americans live with IBD.

🕐 Last updated: March 25, 2026 📡 Sources: NIH · CDC · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov 8 articles
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📊 IBD by the Numbers
3M
Americans live with IBD
70K
new diagnoses each year
50%
diagnosed under age 35
60%
achieve remission with biologics
🔄 Myth vs. Fact
❌ Myth

"IBD is caused by stress or diet."

👆 Tap to see the truth

✅ Fact

Stress and diet can trigger flares, but they don't cause IBD. It's an immune-mediated disease with strong genetic components.

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❌ Myth

"IBD and IBS are the same thing."

👆 Tap to see the truth

✅ Fact

They're completely different conditions. IBD (Crohn's, UC) involves actual inflammation and tissue damage visible on colonoscopy. IBS does not.

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❌ Myth

"Biologics are a last resort."

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✅ Fact

Clinical guidelines increasingly support earlier biologic use in moderate-severe IBD. Early intervention reduces long-term bowel damage and surgeries.

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❌ Myth

"You should avoid all fiber during a flare."

👆 Tap to see the truth

✅ Fact

Soluble fiber (oats, bananas) is often well-tolerated. Insoluble fiber (raw vegetables) may worsen symptoms during active disease. A GI dietitian can guide this.

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Did You Know?
Crohn's can affect any part of the GI tract from mouth to anus — UC is limited to the colon.
Up to 40% of IBD patients have extraintestinal manifestations — joint pain, skin issues, or eye inflammation.
Newer biologics like ustekinumab and risankizumab have remission rates exceeding 50% in patients who failed TNF inhibitors.
IBD patients have a higher risk of colorectal cancer — colonoscopy surveillance is recommended starting 8 years after diagnosis.
Fecal calprotectin is a non-invasive stool test that can detect gut inflammation without colonoscopy.
🍩 Breakdown by Type
52% Crohn's
52% Crohn's Disease
45% Ulcerative Colitis
3% Indeterminate
📅 Disease Progression
Months before diagnosis
Symptoms Begin
Diarrhea, cramping, fatigue, blood in stool. Average delay from symptoms to IBD diagnosis: 8 months.
Colonoscopy + biopsy
Diagnosis
Definitive diagnosis requires colonoscopy. Blood tests (CRP, calprotectin) support but don't replace endoscopy.
0–12 weeks on therapy
Induction
Goal: achieve remission. Steroids for rapid control, then step to biologics or immunomodulators.
Long-term
Maintenance
Goal: sustain remission, prevent bowel damage. Regular monitoring every 6–12 months. Surgery rate 20–30% at 10 years.

"3 million Americans live with IBD (Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis). 50% are diagnosed before 35."

You're In Good Company

↔ scroll to see more

IBD is a condition that touches people at every level of public life. Their stories help normalize the conversation.

Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty
Crohn's Disease

Shannen Doherty managed Crohn's disease through decades of Hollywood fame — and spoke candidly about its real challenges.

Read their story →
Anastacia
Crohn's Disease

Pop star Anastacia had emergency surgery for Crohn's disease at the height of her career — and turned her experience into advocacy.

Read their story →
Mike McCready
Mike McCready
Crohn's Disease

Pearl Jam's lead guitarist has been one of rock music's most vocal Crohn's disease advocates for 30 years.

Read their story →
President Eisenhower
President Eisenhower
Crohn's Disease (Ileitis)

President Eisenhower underwent emergency surgery for Crohn's disease in 1956 — during his presidency.

Read their story →

All information sourced from public statements and verified media reports. My Sugar Pill does not represent or speak for any individual.

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Complementary Wellness · Steve's Goods CBD

Full spectrum CBD oil — a complementary wellness option for IBD patients

CBD has been researched for its interaction with gut cannabinoid receptors. Steve's Goods Gold Label Full Spectrum Oil (1500mg) is CO₂ extracted, Colorado-grown, and third-party tested for purity. Many people with IBD use it as a complementary tool alongside their prescribed treatment.

⚠️ CBD is not FDA-approved for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and should not replace prescribed IBD therapy. Consult your gastroenterologist before use.

My Sugar Pill may earn a commission if you purchase through this link — at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Clinical Trial March 24, 2026

Study of Oral Upadacitinib to Assess Change in Disease Activity in Adult Participants With Ulcerative Colitis

If you live with ulcerative colitis—a condition that causes painful inflammation and bleeding

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 24, 2026

Mirikizumab and Tirzepatide Administered in Adult Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease and Obesity or Overweight

Researchers are exploring a new way to help people who are managing both Crohn’s

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 24, 2026

Mirikizumab Administered at the Same Time as Tirzepatide in Adult Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis and Obesity or Overweight: Phase 3b Study

55 friendly).* This study lasts about a year and focuses on whether

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 23, 2026

Selenium Supplementation in Moderate-Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis Patients Treated With Advanced Therapies

If you are living with ulcerative colitis, a common mineral called selenium may

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 23, 2026

A Prospective Cohort Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Guselkumab (GUS) With JAK Inhibitors in Patients With Difficult-To-Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

If you are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 20, 2026

Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Autoimmune Disorders and Advanced, Metastatic, or Unresectable Cancer

If you are living with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 20, 2026

Immune Regulation in Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn s Disease

If you are living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, researchers are working

Read original source
Clinical Trial March 20, 2026

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Tulisokibart (MK-7240) in Participants With Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease (MK-7240-008)

If you are living with Crohn’s disease, researchers are testing a new

Read original source

🍽️ IBD-Friendly Recipes

See recipes designed to work alongside IBD management — each cross-checked against our medication interaction database.

View Recipes →
🛡️
Coverage Check

Biologic medications for IBD can cost thousands.

Humira, Stelara, Remicade — coverage and cost-sharing vary enormously by plan. Don't stay on a plan that doesn't cover your treatment.

Review Your Coverage → Powered by eHealth · Free to compare

My Sugar Pill may earn a commission if you enroll through this link — at no cost to you. One way we keep My Sugar Pill free.

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Talk to a Doctor

Want to discuss your IBD management with a specialist?

A gastroenterologist can help with flare management, biologic therapy options, and long-term planning. Virtual GI visits available.

Book a Virtual Visit → Powered by Sesame Care · Transparent pricing

My Sugar Pill may earn a commission when you book — at no extra cost to you. One way we keep My Sugar Pill free.

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Socks With Benefits

Reduce leg fatigue with compression socks

IBD medications and reduced activity can affect circulation. Dr. Segal's compression socks (OTC, 15–20 mmHg) offer comfortable all-day support.

Shop Compression Socks → Dr. Segal's · Founded by a surgeon

My Sugar Pill may earn a commission if you purchase through this link — at no cost to you.

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Complementary Wellness · Steve's Goods CBD

Full spectrum CBD oil — a complementary wellness option for IBD patients

CBD has been researched for its interaction with gut cannabinoid receptors. Steve's Goods Gold Label Full Spectrum Oil (1500mg) is CO₂ extracted, Colorado-grown, and third-party tested for purity. Many people with IBD use it as a complementary tool alongside their prescribed treatment.

⚠️ CBD is not FDA-approved for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and should not replace prescribed IBD therapy. Consult your gastroenterologist before use.

My Sugar Pill may earn a commission if you purchase through this link — at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

About this content

Sourced from U.S. government health agencies (NIH, CDC, FDA) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Summaries are written in plain English. Always consult your doctor before making healthcare decisions. My Sugar Pill does not provide medical advice.

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