What Does Your Immune System Have to Do With IBD?
The Gastro Girl Podcast
08/25/26
•43m
About
Comments
Featured In
Why does the immune system cause inflammation in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis? And what do the gut microbiome, intestinal lining, and genetics have to do with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
In this episode of the Gastro Girl Podcast, host Jacqueline Gaulin talks with gastroenterologist and IBD expert Dr. Colleen Kelly about the important connection between the gut and immune system in IBD.
Dr. Kelly explains how Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are immune-mediated diseases, why the immune system becomes involved in intestinal inflammation, and how interactions among the immune system, gut lining, genetics, and the trillions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome may contribute to IBD.
You'll learn:
- How the immune system and digestive tract normally work together
- What happens to the immune response in IBD
- Why inflammation develops in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- How the intestinal barrier, or gut lining, fits into the picture
- What scientists understand about the gut microbiome and IBD
- Why IBD involves much more than digestive symptoms
- How understanding the biology of IBD can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team
Whether you've recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are living with IBD, or are supporting someone who is, this patient-focused conversation provides an accessible foundation for understanding what is happening inside the body and why it matters for managing IBD.
This educational initiative is sponsored by Merck.
Previous Episode
A Barrett's esophagus diagnosis can leave you wondering what comes next. Understanding your follow-up care, surveillance plan, and individual risk can help you take a more active role in your health.
In this final episode of our 4-part U.S.-focused Barrett's esophagus patient education series, Advanced Practice Provider Tedra Gray shares practical guidance to help patients better understand ongoing care, surveillance, risk management, and how to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why follow-up care and surveillance are important • Why monitoring Barrett's esophagus matters over time • How shared decision-making can help shape your care plan • How management may differ based on a patient's individual risk • What questions to ask and how to take an active role in your care
Whether you've recently been diagnosed or have been living with Barrett's esophagus for years, this episode provides practical next steps and evidence-based information to help you better understand your diagnosis and move forward with confidence.
This episode is part of a 4-part patient education series sponsored by Castle Biosciences and produced by Gastro Girl in collaboration with leading U.S. clinicians dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with Barrett's esophagus.
Next Episode
Living With IBD: What Remission Looks Like
Tuesday
•25m
For many people living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), understanding what remission actually means can be confusing. If your symptoms improve, does that mean your IBD is under control? And if you're in remission, is the disease gone for good?
In Part 2 of our conversation with IBD expert Dr. Jessica Allegretti, we explore what remission means in IBD and why feeling better is only one part of the picture.
We discuss:
- Clinical remission versus endoscopic remission
- What mucosal healing means
- The treat-to-target approach in IBD care
- Why modern treatment goals focus on long-term disease control
- How controlling inflammation may help reduce the risk of future complications
Understanding both how you feel and what may be happening inside your body can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare team and take an active role in managing your IBD.
Subscribe to Gastro Girl for more expert-led conversations designed to help you navigate digestive health with confidence.
This educational initiative is sponsored by Merck.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted