In Focus

December 1-7 is Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week—an annual reminder of a daily reality millions of people quietly live with. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are often invisible. They don’t always come with symptoms the world can see, and because of that, many people underestimate how serious and unpredictable these conditions can be. I know this firsthand. I have Crohn’s disease, and while I’m fortunate to be in remission today, that doesn’t erase the years of flare-ups, uncertainty or the constant need to be aware of my health.

IBD is not the same as the common stomach issues people sometimes compare it to. These are chronic autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract, bringing pain, fatigue, weight changes, anxiety, depression and digestive complications that can disrupt every part of life. There’s no cure—only treatments to help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation, and hopefully maintain remission. Even on good days, many people live with the fear of the next debilitating flare.

Food becomes the enemy as an active flare can easily be worsened by eating the wrong thing or some things that can no longer be eaten as they cause pain and frequent trips to the bathroom. Personally, I can’t digest popcorn, nuts and seeds. If they’re cooked in something I can. Carbonation from most sodas hurt. I cannot make it through the day without acid reflux medication—that was brought on by Crohn’s Disease. I can handle dairy products better now, but still am lactose intolerant. I can pretty much eat normally, which is more than what most with IBD can do, so I am thankful for that.

That’s exactly why awareness week matters. It creates space for conversations that don’t always happen, encourages understanding, and helps break down the stigma around diseases people often feel embarrassed to talk about. It highlights the importance of research, better treatments, and support for those who are newly diagnosed and feel overwhelmed by the unknown. We’re proof that improvement is possible, and we can advocate for others who haven’t reached that place yet.

Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week isn’t just about explaining the science behind IBD. It’s about standing with a community that often feels like it has to struggle in silence. And for those of us navigating remission, it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—and why continued awareness makes all the difference to find new treatments and hopefully a cure.