163 episodes

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease) are about more than diarrhea: they affect the whole person. About IBD focuses on health and lifestyle issues important to people living with Crohn's or colitis. IBD patients, doctors, therapists, and care partners give their tips and advice on topics including diet, nutrition, treatments, mental health, family dynamics, and sexuality as it relates to living with IBD.

About IBD Amber J Tresca

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 25 Ratings

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease) are about more than diarrhea: they affect the whole person. About IBD focuses on health and lifestyle issues important to people living with Crohn's or colitis. IBD patients, doctors, therapists, and care partners give their tips and advice on topics including diet, nutrition, treatments, mental health, family dynamics, and sexuality as it relates to living with IBD.

    IBD and Somatic Therapy With Abri Bernstein

    IBD and Somatic Therapy With Abri Bernstein

    People with IBD are more likely to live with anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders than people who don't live with one of these conditions. For that reason, caring for mental health is as important as caring for physical health. But it doesn't always work out that way, as patients may not know how important their mental health is to their physical health, or may not have access to a mental health professional. Abri Bernstein shares her personal journey with ulcerative colitis (UC) and how somatic psychotherapy helped her cope with living with the disease. Abri explains somatic psychotherapy as a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the body and nervous system regulation. She describes various modalities, such as somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma stored in the body for healing to occur.
    Resources and information discussed in this episode:
    What Is Somatic Therapy? Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective Polyvagal Institute The Trauma Foundation Bonaz B, Sinniger V, Pellissier S. Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Front Neurosci. 2021;15:650971. Published 2021 Mar 22. doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.650971. Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety Find Abri Bernstein at:
    Web: Healing With Abri LinkedIn: Abri Berstein Email: abribern@gmail.com Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD Verywell: Verywell Health Facebook: @aboutIBD Twitter: @aboutIBD Pinterest: @aboutibd Instagram: @about_IBD Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer Instagram: @maccooneycomposer Web: Cooney Studio Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio. Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD150
    These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 53 min
    Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month With Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley

    Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month With Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley

    Diagnosed with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP), retired Navy veteran Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley shares his remarkable journey of service, diagnosis, and advocacy. Following his diagnosis, Shockley became a passionate advocate for early detection and reducing the stigma associated with living with an ostomy. He emphasizes the importance of proactive medical care and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Through his advocacy work and personal journey, Shockley serves as an inspiration, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a difference for others.
     
    Find Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley at:
    Twitter: @Dryshockley
    Instagram: @DanDryDock
    LinkedIn: @Dan Dry Dock Shockley

     
    Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD
    Verywell: Verywell Health
    Facebook: @aboutIBD
    Twitter: @aboutIBD
    Pinterest: @aboutibd
    Instagram: @about_IBD
    Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer 
    Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
    Web: Cooney Studio
    Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
    Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD149
     
    These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 32 min
    Making Crohn's Disease Funny With Matt Nagin

    Making Crohn's Disease Funny With Matt Nagin

    We can hold two truths: Crohn’s disease is funny. It is also not funny. I speak with Matt Nagin, who has many talents, but we focus on his work as a comedian and actor living with Crohn’s disease. Our discussion focuses on how people need laughter and comedy in their lives. Yet, living with an illness like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it can be challenging to find those comedic moments. Especially when most people don’t know what IBD is, and even among those who do, they kind of don’t want to hear about it sometimes. Get tips from Matt on how to form a sense of humor about illness, keep people from getting burned out on you, and think outside the box when it comes to symptoms.
     
    Find Matt Nagin at:
    Web: mattnagin.com
    Facebook: @naginplease
    Twitter: @naginplease
    Instagram: @naginplease
    TikTok: @naginplease
    LinkedIn: Matt Nagin
     
    Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD
    Verywell: Verywell Health
    Facebook: @aboutIBD
    Twitter: @aboutIBD
    Pinterest: @aboutibd
    Instagram: @about_IBD
     
    Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
    Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
    Web: Cooney Studio
    LinkedIn: @macooney
    Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
     
    These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 36 min
    Amber's Year in Books 2023

    Amber's Year in Books 2023

    What did you read over the past year? If you made a reading goal: did you hit it? The books I read in 2023 included biographies, fantasy, fiction, and romance. Plus, I had several authors who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis on the show this year, so I read their books as well. Hear more about some of the books I enjoyed in 2023, how you can hear more from authors with IBD, and ways that you can hit those reading goals this year.
    IBD Author Episodes:
    The Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook – About IBD Podcast Episode 127
    Up and Adam: A Patient’s Experience on Winning with IBD — About IBD Podcast Episode 130
    I Pooped My Pants With April Michelle Harris – About IBD Podcast Episode 133
    Positivity Beats IBD With Josef Miller – About IBD Podcast Episode 143
    Books mentioned in this episode:
    Why Not Me? - Mindy Kaling
    Yes Please - Amy Poehler
    Bossypants - Tina Fey
    Orange Is the New Black - Piper Kerman
    Spare - Prince Harry
    Born With Teeth - Kate Mulgrew
    Where the Deer and the Antelope Play - Nick Offerman
    Fan Fiction - Brent Spiner, Jeanne Darst
    Wrong Place Wrong Time - Gillian McAllister
    Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
    The Dead Romantics - Ashley Poston
    Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
    The House in the Pines - Ana Reyes
    The Testaments - Margaret Atwood
    The Heart Goes Last - Margaret Atwood
    Maid - Stephanie Land
    Class - Stephanie Land 
    Under the Whispering Door - TJ Klune 
    In the Lives of Puppets - TJ Klune
    Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds 
    Red at the Bone - Jackeline Woodson
    Hatchet - Gary Paulsen
    The Plant-Based Crohn’s and Colitis Cookbook - Helena Rose Murphy
    The Purple Rose - Josef Alexander Miller
    I Pooped My Pants - April Michelle Harris
    Up and Adam: A Patient's Experience on Winning with IBD - Adam Finkelstein
    Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD
    Verywell: Verywell Health
    Facebook: @aboutIBD
    Twitter: @aboutIBD
    Pinterest: @aboutibd
    Instagram: @about_IBD
    Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
    Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
    Web: Cooney Studio
    LinkedIn: @macooney
    Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
     
    These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 25 min
    IBD Connect With Lisa Fournier

    IBD Connect With Lisa Fournier

    A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD) affects the entire family. When it’s a child that’s diagnosed, it changes so many things and brings a host of challenges. Families experience many unmet needs related to IBD. My guest is Lisa Fournier of IBD Connect. Lisa is the mother of two children who live with IBD. Her experiences in helping them manage IBD at different stages in life compelled her to be a support for others. She worked with her local hospital to start a support group and eventually founded IBD Connect. Learn about the programs IBD Connect offers and how the community can support their important mission.
     
    Concepts on this episode:
     
    Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease (VEO-IBD) 
    UMass Chan Medical School Center for Applied Nutrition
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
     
    Find IBD Connect at:
    Instagram: @ibdconnectinc
    Facebook: @IBDConnectInc
    Web: IBD Connect, Inc.
     
    Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD
    Verywell: Verywell Health
    Facebook: @aboutIBD
    Twitter: @aboutIBD
    Pinterest: @aboutibd
    Instagram: @about_IBD
     
    Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer 
    Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
    Web: Cooney Studio
    Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
     
    Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD146
     
    These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 36 min
    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and IBD With Stephanie Brenner, LCSW, MSW

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and IBD With Stephanie Brenner, LCSW, MSW

    My guest is Stephanie Brenner of Chronic Illness Psychotherapy. Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience in working with clients with chronic illnesses. She has also taken on a variety of roles in GI space, including previously serving on both the advisory team for the Pediatric Crohn’s Guidebook and the recruitment committee for the Rome Foundation’s GastroPsych organization.
    Stephanie lives with Crohn’s disease and a permanent ileostomy and is also a cancer survivor. I asked her to help us better understand PTSD and PTS as they relate to having a chronic illness like IBD. She defines PTSD and why it can happen with IBD, what some of the signs and symptoms might look like, and what patients can do to address their mental health.
    Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD145
    Find Stephanie Brenner, LCSW, MSW at:
    Web: https://chronicillnesspsychotherapy.com/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chronicillnesspsych
    Concepts discussed:
    An Overview of Rectovaginal Fistula: https://www.verywellhealth.com/rectovaginal-fistula-overview-4587356
    An Overview of Anal or Rectal Abscess: https://www.verywellhealth.com/perirectal-abscess-2328821
    Proctectomy Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: https://www.verywellhealth.com/proctectomy-surgery-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease-4122490
    Sacha McBain, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachamcbain/
    What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-ptsd-5084527
    The Psychology of the Sickbed: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Sickbed-J-H-Berg/dp/B004NMY0RK
    Taft TH, Quinton S, Jedel S, Simons M, Mutlu EA, Hanauer SB. Posttraumatic Stress in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Prevalence and Relationships to Patient-Reported Outcomes. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2022;28(5):710-719. doi:10.1093/ibd/izab152
    What Is EMDR Therapy?: https://www.verywellhealth.com/emdr-therapy-5212839
    Understanding Diaphragmatic Breathing: https://www.verywellhealth.com/diaphragmatic-breathing-how-to-benefits-and-exercises-5219974
    All About Grounding: Techniques to Connect to Nature: https://www.verywellhealth.com/grounding-7494652
    Self-Report PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/documents/PCL5_Standard_form.pdf (other checklists https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/assessment/adult-sr/ptsd-checklist.asp#obtain)
    Rome Foundation: https://romegipsych.org/
    Samantha Irby: https://www.samanthairby.com/
    Tig Notoro: https://tignation.com/
    Hannah Gatsby: https://hannahgadsby.com.au/
    Cameron Esposito: https://www.instagram.com/cameronesposito/
    Find Amber J Tresca at:
    AboutIBD.com: About IBD
    Verywell: Verywell Health
    Facebook: @aboutIBD
    Twitter: @aboutIBD
    Pinterest: @aboutibd
    Instagram: @about_IBD
    Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
    Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
    Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
    Web: Cooney Studio
    LinkedIn: @macooney
    Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
     
    These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

zylafone ,

Learn from the Expert

Amber is so well versed in IBD. She is an expert brings such wonderful information and knowledge to every episode. What a supportive community she has created and a wonderful resource for IBD.

Littleluna9 ,

Great information!

It was wonderful to meet you Amber, at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center College Night. Thank you for sharing your experience and insight. I enjoyed the latest episodes here and look forward to listening to many more. Very personal and meaningful 😊

A_spareparts ,

Relatable and informative

Amber always has relevant topics and guests talking about important things for IBD patients. She’s always relatable and makes great content FOR patients not about them.

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