
The Insidious Reasons Why IBD Destroys Sleep
About IBD
03/10/26
•17m
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Everyone needs sleep, but so many of us struggle to get enough. People living with IBD know that a good night's sleep can feel like a distant dream, whether it's pain, urgent bathroom trips, or racing thoughts keeping you up. But why exactly does IBD disrupt our sleep even during remission? And what is your sleep telling you about the risks of a flare-up?
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD197
Chapters: 00:04 Introduction and Host Background 01:32 IBD and Sleep: The Problem 03:00 Why Sleep Matters for IBD 04:14 Defining Sleep Disturbance in IBD 05:23 Inflammation's Role in Sleep Disruption 07:08 Wearables and Sleep Research in IBD 08:29 Mental Health, Pain, and Medication Effects 11:06 Why Prioritizing Sleep is Crucial 12:30 Practical Tips for Better Sleep 14:57 Communicating Sleep Issues and Seeking Support 16:12 Episode Wrap-Up and Resources 16:20 Credits and OutroMore Information on Sleep:
- Alien: How IBD Inspired an Iconic Movie:
- 10 Tips to Get More Sleep
- Talking to Your Doctor About Sleep
- I Am So Tired
- Have You Tried Yoga? – An IBD Community Poll
- A Meditation Journey – Week 1
- Struggling to Sleep? These 11 Foods Could Help You Rest Better
- 13 Foods to Eat Instead of Taking Melatonin for Better Sleep
- The Best Time to Eat Dinner for Better Digestion and Sleep
Sources:
- Su XY, Wang YN, Huang YH, Dai C. The sleep quality and its association with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. doi:10.17235/reed.2025.11305/2025.
- Zhang JZ, Song XZ, Song XN, Shen YL, Tang H, Li H. Prevalence and risk factors of sleep disorders in inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2024;39(1):140. doi:10.1007/s00384-024-04712-w.
- Chaemsupaphan T, Pimolsri C, Subdee N, et al. Poor sleep quality is common and independently associated with disease activity and poor quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: a long-term follow-up study. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2025;18:17562848241311142. doi:10.1177/17562848241311142.
- Kuzoian S, Jerson B, Brimacombe M, Schneeberg L, Hyams JS. Sleep tracking and sleep hygiene counseling improve fatigue in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025;81(1):62-68. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70066.
- Xu TY, Zhang Y, Zhao SL. Association of Poor Sleep Quality With Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Dig Dis. 2024;25(11-12):664-673. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.13328.
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.
Previous Episode

How to Harness AI for Good Featuring Michael Tresca
February 24
•47m
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized in healthcare for many purposes. Patients are wondering how they can safely and effectively use AI tools to educate themselves and to manage their health. Amber and guest Michael Tresca discuss what AI is, how it works, and why skepticism and source verification are essential. They highlight practical, lower-risk ways patients might use AI, such as organizing personal health data, drafting appointment questions, and explaining medical terms. The emphasis is on ongoing education, privacy concerns, responsible use, and the importance of "trust but verify" when using AI for critical health decisions without professional input.
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD196
Sign up for Mike's AI newsletter: AI Unplugged on LinkedIn
Timestamps:
- 00:05 — Introduction and Guest Welcome
- 01:20 — Recap of Previous Episode and Relationship Disclosure
- 02:16 — Defining AI and Common Misconceptions
- 04:14 — AI in Clinical and Patient Use
- 05:11 — AI in Everyday Search and Unintentional Use
- 06:39 — AI Hallucinations: What They Are and Why They Happen
- 10:13 — Importance of AI Showing Its Work and Sources
- 10:58 — Challenges in Understanding AI's Reasoning
- 14:33 — AI Training Data and Source Reliability
- 15:31 — Risks of Outdated or Inaccurate Health Information
- 21:35 — AI's Responsibility in Providing Answers
- 23:13 — Tolerance for Error and Regulation in AI
- 24:02 — Transition to Patient Use Cases
- 24:19 — Using AI to Organize Medical Information
- 26:23 — Drafting Questions for Appointments with AI
- 27:19 — Tracking Symptoms or Diet with AI
- 28:22 — AI for Coping with Brain Fog or Fatigue
- 31:10 — Listener Feedback: Avoiding AI
- 32:31 — Listener Feedback: Privacy, Data Breaches, and Environmental Concerns
- 34:45 — Listener Feedback: Worry About Errors
- 36:29 — Listener Feedback: Using AI for Definitions and Basic Research
- 37:24 — Listener Feedback: Using AI to Explain Test Results
- 40:31 — Listener Feedback: Healthcare Providers Using AI for Notetaking
- 43:30 — Ethics of Recording Medical Visits
- 44:42 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts
- 46:25 — Outro and Credits
- Twitter: @WorldofWelstar
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- EN World: http://tinyurl.com/ENWRPG
- Drive Through RPG: http://tinyurl.com/DTRPGMNT
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talien
- AboutIBD.com: About IBD
- Verywell: Verywell Health
- Facebook: @aboutIBD
- Twitter: @aboutIBD
- Pinterest: @aboutibd
- Instagram: @about_IBD
- YouTube: @AboutIBD
- Threads: @about_IBD
- Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
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- Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.
Next Episode
Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD198
What does a pregnant woman do when they need a biologic medication, but pregnancy isn't included in drug trials? Dr. Sonia Grandi and Dr. Christina Longo talk to Amber Tresca about the BIONIC study, a groundbreaking project using decades of real-world data to understand how biologics affect a pregnant woman and her baby. The BIONIC study is designed to empower patients to make confident, evidence-based decisions about their own health and their children's future.
Timestamps- 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Sonia Grandi and Dr. Christina Longo.
- 04:14 – What exactly is an Epidemiologist?
- 06:33 – Why childhood asthma research led to the BIONIC Study.
- 11:05 – Why children and pregnant women are historically excluded from trials.
- 13:00 – Defining "Remission" in children: Why it's more than just labs.
- 17:01 – The BIONIC Study explained: Safety and biologics in pregnancy.
- 22:04 – The Patient Advisory Committee: Why lived experience matters.
- 25:52 – The "Grind" of Research Funding: How projects actually get built.
- 32:21 – Fun & Hobbies: Puzzles, running, and the "BIONIC" spirit.
Find Sonia Grandi, MSc, PhD at:
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids): Sonia Grandi, MSc, PhD
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Sonia Grandi, MSc, PhD
- Lab: IMPOWER Lab at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
- LinkedIn: @sonia-grandi
Find Cristina Longo , PhD at:
- Université de Montréal: Cristina Longo , PhD
- CHU Sainte-Justine: Cristina Longo , PhD
- LinkedIn: @cristina-longo-67656040
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 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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