Navigating Life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unpredictable, often invisible and lifelong. For those living with this spectrum of conditions, every day can be shaped by pain, uncertainty and the need to constantly adapt. We explore the realities of IBD through the decades-long medical journey of Joshua Peets, a North Country resident and Crohn’s disease patient, and the clinical expertise of members of the care team at the Chron’s & Colitis Center at UVM Medical Center. Shruti Khurana, MD, a gastroenterologist and the founder/director of the Center, and Jeremy Dressler, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon, describe how IBD care is evolving to combine medical management, surgical interventions, nutrition guidance and mental health and pharmacy support. The goal: better manage a complex spectrum of conditions that impact a person’s whole body, not just their digestive tract. Meta Surjaputra, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in gastroenterological psychology, explores the powerful brain-gut connection and explains why anxiety, depression and stress are closely tied to outcomes for individuals living with IBD. A member of the Clinic’s care team, she shows how psychological support can improve patients’ ability to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. Kathy McGinnis, RD, a clinical dietician who specializes in gastroenterological disorders, discusses the role of nutrition as a critical tool for managing symptoms and supporting long-term health. She offers practical insight into diet patterns and common misconceptions around the causes and impacts of IBD in the kitchen.