Health Expert Jennifer Rackley shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91113/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91113/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/91113/index http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/127028/preventing-illness Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:53:00 -0500 Jennifer Rackley Cold and flu season is here and often leaves those with compromised immune systems dreading the next illness. Thankfully there are some natural things you can do to boost your immune system and stay healthy!   Though it sounds simple, getting enough rest can be key in maintaining a healthy immune system. Most people need between 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Getting more sleep is also associated with a lower immune system so don't over... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/127028/preventing-illness http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/127027/cold-season-staying Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:18:00 -0500 Jennifer Rackley If you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease you know that catching any extra illness on top of the pain you deal with in daily life can be rough. Unfortunately some of the medications used to treat IBD can make it easier to get sick in the first place. That is why it is very important to follow your doctor's instruction regarding illness prevention.   One of the best things you can do to prevent illness is hand washing. When you come home from... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/127027/cold-season-staying http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/121428/ibd-ibs-difference Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:47:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) have similar acronyms and sometimes even overlapping symptoms.  This can make it very confusing for patients and doctors trying to get an accurate diagnosis.  Often times patients with IBD are misdiagnosed with IBS before more extensive testing proves otherwise.Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition in which abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort, constipation or... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/121428/ibd-ibs-difference http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/121011/invasive-test-ibd Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:44:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley Getting tested for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is often times an unpleasant experience. Endoscopies, where a tube is passed through the rectum and into the digestive system, have been the gold standard for testing for IBD. Doctors have been looking into less invasive ways to test for this disease.   A new test that measures a specific protein in the stool may help to limit more invasive testing. The research was published in the BMJ on... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/121011/invasive-test-ibd http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/118545/news-vitamin Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:57:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley We have talked before about the role of vitamin D in the nutritional status of those with IBD.  It has long been theorized that the vitamin boosts the immune system as well as aids in limiting inflammation.  Newer research is digging even more deeply into this area with promising results.A recent article in the American Journal of Pathology noted that the vitamin D receptor plays a role in defending the body against bacterial invasion... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/118545/news-vitamin http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/116941/melatonin-ulcerative Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:34:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that is produced by the pineal gland. It has been well known for its role in the sleep cycle but has more recently been shown to function as an antioxidant and as a player in proper immune system functioning.   There is currently a Phase II clinical trial recruiting subjects with ulcerative colitis to test the efficacy of melatonin supplements in lessening symptoms of the disease (1).... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/116941/melatonin-ulcerative http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/116529/reuteri-ibd Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:49:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley Lactobacillus Reuteri is a probiotic and can be found in human breast milk as well as the gut of some mammals and birds. It's beneficial properties have recently been studied and the results seem very promising.   In one study conducted L. Reuteri was tested vs. simethicone drops in the treatment of colicky infants. After one week the L. Reuteri had caused an improvement in the symptoms of the infants in the study group... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/116529/reuteri-ibd http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/113918/signs-thromboembolism Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:02:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is the term used to described two types of blood clots known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). DVT occurs when one of the deeper veins, such as the ones in the legs or pelvis, develop a blood clot. It can lead to swelling and redness and potentially more issues should the clot break loose. PE can occur when a clot breaks away from where it initially began and travels to the lungs. Symptoms... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/113918/signs-thromboembolism http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/112762/gastroenterology-ibd Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:04:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley I recently reviewed a book by Sunanda V. Kane, MD, MSPH, FACG.  Today I was able to listen to her podcasts on IBD made possible by the American College of Gastroenterology.  I highly recommend listening to them yourself if you would like any additional information.  They can be found HERE.In the podcasts Dr. Kane acknowledges that IBD patients can have a never ending frustration with food. There are many challenges dependant on... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/112762/gastroenterology-ibd http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/112760/online-support-groups Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:45:00 -0400 Jennifer Rackley When you are diagnosed with a chronic or debilitating disease it can feel like you are all alone.  The feeling can be compounded when you live in a rural area or deal with a disease that is relatively rare.  Thankfully there are many resources on the internet that are connecting patients around the world.Health Central is one such resource.  The ability to communicate with others, post questions, discuss problems and offer... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/112760/online-support-groups