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About IBD
04/24/26
•3m
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Featured In
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_IBD
Previous Episode

Is Your Eye Pain Actually an IBD Flare?
April 21
•16m
Did you know that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) isn't only a digestive condition? It can also attack your vision. Your host, Amber J Tresca, breaks down some of the most common eye-related extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Learn how to identify the warning signs of episcleritis, uveitis, and scleritis, and find out when you need to see an ophthalmologist right away to protect your eyesight.
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD200
Key Chapters & Timestamps- 00:00 - Introduction: Protecting your vision with IBD
- 02:07 - What are Extra-Intestinal Manifestations (EIMs)?
- 04:21 - How common is eye disease in IBD patients?
- 05:43 - Condition 1: Episcleritis (Symptoms and treatments)
- 07:15 - Why episcleritis often tracks with IBD flares
- 10:14 - Condition 2: Uveitis (Red flags and risks of vision loss)
- 13:58 - Condition 3: Scleritis (Rare but severe complications)
- 16:51 - Condition 4: Dry Eyes
- 18:23 - Risk Factors: Who is most likely to develop IBD eye issues?
- 20:10 - When to call your doctor and why you need an ophthalmologist
- 23:25 - Practical tips: Keeping eye drops in the fridge
- Vavricka SR, Schoepfer A, Scharl M, Lakatos PL, Navarini A, Rogler G. Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015;21(8):1982-1992. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000392
- Mintz R, Feller ER, Bahr RL, Shah SA. Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2004;10(2):135-139. doi:10.1097/00054725-200403000-00012
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Eye complications in IBD.
- Rosenbaum JT, Bodaghi B, Couto C, et al. New observations and emerging ideas in diagnosis and management of non-infectious uveitis: A review. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2019;49(3):438-445. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2019.06.004
- World Health Organization. Vitamin A deficiency and ocular health.
- Rufo PA, Denson LA, Sylvester FA, et al. Health supervision in the management of children and adolescents with IBD: NASPGHAN recommendations. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012;55(1):93-108. doi:10.1097/MPG.0b013e31825959b8
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell Health: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- https://www.threads.net/@about_ibd
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Web: Cooney Studio
- Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
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.
Next Episode
After a devastating Crohn's disease flare, marketing executive Bari Gratton traded a high-stress career for the healing path of yoga therapy in California. Bari joins Amber Tresca to discuss the "Five Layers of Being," the toxicity of "pushing through," and how she is building community for the next generation of IBD patients.
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD201
Key Chapters & Timestamps:
- [00:00:00] – Welcome to About IBD with Amber Tresca
- [00:04:40] – Diagnosis in the late 90s: Life as a teen with Crohn's
- [00:12:35] – The 2017 Crisis: Three surgeries and a temporary ostomy
- [00:19:40] – The Barn Door Moment: Finding safety in a yoga studio
- [00:23:00] – Healing the Next Generation: Camp Oasis and teen advocacy
- [00:30:30] – Intro to the Pancha Maya Kosha (The 5 Layers of Being)
- [00:32:15] – Layer 1: Annamaya Kosha (The Physical Body)
- [00:34:10] – Layer 2: Pranamaya Kosha (The Energy/Breath Body)
- [00:36:45] – Layer 3: Manomaya Kosha (The Mental/Emotional Body)
- [00:39:50] – Layer 4: Vijnanamaya Kosha (The Wisdom/Witness Body)
- [00:42:30] – Layer 5: Anandamaya Kosha (The Bliss/True Nature Body)
- [00:52:00] – Why "Pushing Through" is a toxic practice for chronic illness
- [01:03:00] – Girls with Guts and the "Om My Guts" community
What you'll learn:
- Why the "pushing through" mentality can exacerbate IBD and how to shift toward acceptance.
- Bari's journey from a high-stress NYC marketing career to becoming a yoga instructor.
- The profound impact of the Pancha Maya Kosha (Five Layers of Being) on managing chronic pain and anxiety.
- How a devastating flare led Bari to overhaul her life and work towards remission.
- The unique benefits of clinical yoga therapy for those with IBD.
- The importance of community through organizations like Girls with Guts and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Team Om My Guts
- Bari Gratton Take Steps
- Greater Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
Find Girls With Guts at:
- Facebook: @IBDgirls
- Web: https://girlswithguts.org/
- LinkedIn: @ibdgirls
- Instagram: @ibdgirls
- Annual Retreat: October 23 - October 26
Find the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter at:
- Web: Greater Los Angeles/Orange County Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation
- Instagram: @crohnscolitisfoundationla_oc
- Facebook: @ccflaoc
Find Amber J Tresca at:
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell Health: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_ibd
Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
- Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
- YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
- Web: Cooney Studio
- 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.
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