Self-care for the inflammatory bowel disease patient: what can the professional recommend?

The management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) continues to present a challenge for gastroenterologists. IBD constitutes a significant burden for the affected individual because of both intestinal and systemic manifestations. The lack of a specific cause and a definitive cure for this condition, as well as the potential for associated malignancy, leave patients unsettled and fearful of the future. Many patients and their families are significantly impaired by the limitations that IBD places on their lives. These limitations are frequently overlooked, and extend well beyond the boundaries of traditional medical practice. Patients often seek to become active participants in the management of their disease. An approach that includes discussion and education on lifestyle issues affecting IBD patients should be part of our routine practice. This article reviews lifestyle and self-care factors relevant to the IBD patient, and what the gastroenterologist can recommend based on current evidence.