Self-management is an important aspect of living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Learn how smartphone apps can help you take control of the condition.
When living with a chronic disease, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease, it’s important to keep track of a number of things, including symptoms, diet, exercise, medication, and personal well-being. A number of smartphone apps have been developed to take the frustration out of this tracking. Some help you monitor symptoms, while others remind you to take medication or help you manage stress.
“This information will give you and your healthcare provider valuable insight into your unique patterns and habits, which will help you self-manage IBD,” writes Sunanda Kane, MD, in her book IBD Self-Management: The AGA Guide to Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Below are five apps that can help you manage different aspects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). All of them are available on Android and iOS, and most of them are free!
My IBD Care is a one-stop app where you can track your symptoms, flares, doctors’ appointments, bowel movements, medications, and more. The also app features an IBD-related newsfeed and expert-led courses that can teach you more about sleep, medication, and physical activity.
My IBD Care is available at the App Store and Google Play
One of the most stressful and embarrassing symptoms of UC or Crohn’s disease is diarrhea. During a flare, it’s important to know where the closest bathrooms are located. Just like the name says, Bathroom Scout helps you find more than 1.3 million public toilets worldwide. Some are located in facilities, such as a restaurant or bookstore, that may require you to make a purchase before going to the bathroom. You can check out other bathroom apps here.
The Bathroom Scout app is available at the App Store ($1) and Google Play ($1)
Tracking what you eat and when you eat it can help keep UC under control. “The goal is to maximize nutrition without overwhelming the digestive system,” says Kelly Kennedy, RD, a resident dietitian at Everyday Health.
MyPlate is a general app that helps you monitor calories and the nutritional content of your foods. For example, you can track protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and sodium. The app also has a barcode scanner to make it easier to track prepackaged foods. Another nice feature of this app is that it integrates with Apple HealthKit, Google Fit, and various wearable devices that monitor physical activity levels.
The MyPlate app is available at the App Store and Google Play.
There is growing research that mindfulness and meditation exercises may reduce stress for people living with IBD. If you feel you need a way to calm your mind and relax your body, this app can help. There are various meditations, ranging from 3 to 30 minutes, as well as deep breathing exercises. For example, the “Daily Calm” is a 10-minute meditation with different themes, such as resilience and letting go. If you have trouble sleeping at night, Calm also features Sleep Stories to help you fall asleep.
The Calm app is available at the App Store and Google Play.
Looking for social support and other people living with UC or Crohn’s? Then this app is for you. The MyCrohnsandColitisTeam app helps build community by allowing participants to post photos, share updates, and offer encouraging words to each other. The app also lets you give and get virtual hugs and likes. It’s a good way to share your highs and lows of managing the disease — and to know you’re not alone.
“When someone is diagnosed with a condition like UC, they often don’t know anyone else with the condition, and their ‘in real life’ and Facebook friends just don’t get what they’re going through,” says Mary Ray, cofounder and chief operating officer of MyHealthTeams. “MyCrohnsandColitisTeam changes that, instantly breaking down barriers and providing a trusted community.”
Ray noted that members have conversations about everything from the daily burden of the disease and how to pay for treatment to life hacks that help them better manage flares and improve their quality of life at home and at work.
The MyCrohnsandColitisTeam app is available at the App Store and Google Play.
Phone apps can help you feel in control and better equipped to manage IBD. And since there are so many apps to choose from, you can explore a few to see which works for you.
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