Living well with IBD care that meets you where you are
[5 min read]
In this article:
- IBD is an umbrella term for chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. An estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million people in the United States are living with with IBD.
- IBD is not the same as IBS, though symptoms of both conditions can overlap.
- Providence Swedish is home to an IBD Center offering integrative, collaborative care that treats you as a whole person, not just your symptoms.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a lifelong condition of the digestive tract that can have wide-ranging effects on a person’s health and quality of life. Current medical treatments for IBD include pharmaceuticals and surgery, but integrative therapies such as dietary changes and stress reduction can also play a significant role in managing the disease. We spoke with Jason Harper, M.D., medical director of the IBD Center at Swedish Gastroenterology, to learn about the condition and the importance of personalized treatment that’s about the patient and not just their symptoms.
What is IBD?
IBD is an umbrella term for chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An estimated 2.4 to 3.1 million people in the United States live with IBD. The condition can develop at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood. Like other autoimmune diseases, IBD is not limited to the GI tract; it can affect the skin, eyes, liver, joints and other areas of the body. The two most common types of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
“People can get IBD confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They are very different, though the symptoms can overlap. With IBS you don’t see the same chronic inflammation you do with IBD,” Dr. Harper notes.
Crohn’s disease:
- Can affect the whole GI tract, from the mouth to the anus
- Inflammation may involve multiple layers of the bowel wall
Ulcerative colitis:
- Affects generally limited to the innermost lining of the large intestine (the colon) and rectum
Symptoms of both:
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- weight loss
- rectal bleeding
IBDs causes
“Technically, the cause of this disease is unknown. There’s a genetic element to it, but it doesn’t mean we’re destined to develop it if it runs in the family,” says Dr. Harper, whose interest in gastroenterology was sparked by a family experience with the disease. “Over the last several decades we’ve seen worldwide increases in these conditions, so the low hanging fruit in understanding them is the changes in our environment, whether that be our diet, exposure to chemicals and pollutants and the changes in our patterns of daily living. There are likely multiple triggers we don’t understand, so it really comes down to the individual, their immune system and the bacteria that live in their intestines.”
“Also, we are seeing higher rates of the disease in parts of the world where a generation or two ago, IBD was felt to be rare, and you can’t help but wonder if it’s due to the same factors already mentioned previously, affecting other parts of the world as their own lifestyles change rapidly.”
IBD treatment and the role of integrative medicine
There is currently no cure for IBD. Treatment options include anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drugs, as well as biologic therapies that can help manage symptoms and reduce complications. Mind-body strategies can play an important role in reducing flares and improving daily functioning. Many patients benefit from an integrative approach that addresses nutrition, stress, sleep, exercise and mental health.
“Medical therapy is only one part of effective IBD management,” says Dr. Harper, who completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in addition to his specialized IBD-centered nutrition training at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. The pursuit was inspired by his own life and efforts to live a healthier, more balanced life in a world of non-stop professional and family demands.
“I wanted to approach it differently and my patients wanted to know how they could approach their condition meaningfully, so it was unsatisfactory for me to just say ‘take your meds’ because so many of these folks were demonstrating that they wanted to do more,” says Dr. Harper. “Integrative medicine is an intentionally broad term, but in my practice, it means keeping a wide aperture for the things we can do for our patients — and ourselves as providers. So, if someone wants to stick with medication because it works for them, great. If someone wants to try managing their disease by changing their diet, awesome. If they can get there by focusing on their mental health, two thumbs up. It means having the humility to say to a patient if they bring up a treatment approach that may be unfamiliar, ‘Hey, that’s a great question and I don’t know the answer to that’ and not shut it down.”
“I treat the majority of my patients with medication, but that's not mutually exclusive to an integrative approach; a truly integrative approach looks at everything that could be helpful and says, “OK, let's bring this into the mix’. It does not exclude things off hand, but rather tries to look at the available evidence and safety of any given therapy, and considers the role of the individual seeking treatment as the center of their own journey to guide decision making. In working with people with chronic illness, it is important to meet them where they are at because at the end of the day, my [health] goals for my patient may not be their [health] goals, and it is ultimately their life to live, not mine.”
Looking ahead
Research into IBD is advancing, with promising studies exploring microbiome-based therapies, intestinal healing strategies, and more precise personalized treatments. Learn more about research and studies at Swedish here.
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clicicn (APC)
If you or someone you love is struggling with IBD, the experts at Providence Swedish can help. The team of gastroenterologists at Swedish Digestive Health Institute provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management for a wide range of digestive health problems.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, Providence Swedish is here for you. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider. You can also connect virtually with your clinician to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
Information for patients and visitors
Related resources
IBD? Plan ahead for flare-free holiday celebrations
If you can sing The Pina Colada Song, it's time for a colonoscopy
Newly approved drug is a major advancement for patients with ulcerative colitis
How does your diet affect inflammation?
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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