Digestive Diseases | Mount Sinai Today

Is There a Connection Between COVID-19 and IBD?

Mar 27, 2020 | COVID-19, Digestive Diseases, Your Health

COVID-19 is a concern for everyone. But people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be at increased risk of contracting this virus–or developing a bad case of it. This mostly has to do with medications they may be taking. Ryan Ungaro, MD, Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology at the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, shares information IBD patients need to know about COVID-19.

Is there a connection between COVID-19 and gastrointestinal conditions?

More and more information suggests that the gastrointestinal (GI) system is involved with COVID-19. We are seeing more reports of GI symptoms among COVID-19 patients. For instance, the very first case in the United States noted nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, some reports out of China indicate that there are a significant number of COVID-19 patients experiencing GI symptoms. The virus has several ways to get into the human body. This includes the nasal passages, the airway into the lungs, and through the intestines. It may be that contact surfaces in the bathroom could cause transmission. Scientists have found the virus in the stool of some patients.

Are there any special precautious that IBD patients should take?

Any IBD patients who are taking immunosuppressants–drugs that reduce the body’s immune system–should follow the at-risk population guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Take these standard precautions very seriously. Be vigilant with social distancing and limit the number of people you’re in contact with. Be particularly diligent about hand washing and trying not touch your face. Treat yourself as if you’re part of the high-risk population, like the elderly or people with lung disease.

If you are unsure if the medication you take qualifies as an immunosuppressant, check the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s IBD Medication Guide.

If I’m taking any of these medications, should I stop?

In general, you should stay on your medications now. That includes biologic drugs and immunosuppressants. The one exception I would say is steroids. If you are on oral steroids, you should talk to your doctor to see if it’s possible to taper down to a minimum dose or get off them completely. Everyone’s case is individual and if you have any questions, you should raise them with your physician. You want to stay on your medications because the health system is overburdened or is potentially going to become overburdened. You do not want to have a flare-up that requires a trip to the hospital, where there will be increased risk of exposure. If you do need care, we’re trying to do this by telemedicine visits at the IBD Center, except for the most urgent cases.

Is there any research going on about COVID-19 and IBD?

There are several initiatives taking place. The International Organization for Inflammatory Bowel Disease is developing more nuanced guidance for patients and physicians. That should be out shortly. In addition, we, with collaborators at the University of North Carolina, have launched a registry for cases of COVID-19 in IBD patients called SECURE-IBD. The registry will gather information on confirmed cases; medications the patient was receiving; the activity of the disease; and the outcomes, in terms of hospitalizations and disease severity. The goal is to determine which medications may contribute to the risk of developing COVID-19 or having a more severe response to the virus. Gastroenterologists who have patients with COVID-19 are encouraged to report cases directly on the SECURE-IBD website.

Helping Young Athletes With Crohn’s Disease

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Community, Digestive Diseases, Pediatrics

After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in 2015, Noah Weber, now 15, reached out to NBA basketball star Larry Nance Jr., who also had been diagnosed with the illness at a young age. Noah, an avid sports fan, became friends with Mr. Nance. Two years later, they formed the nonprofit Athletes vs Crohn’s and Colitis, whose mission is to raise awareness about the condition among adolescents and help young athletes with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reach their potential.

On behalf of the organization, Noah and his father, Kaare Weber, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, recently presented Marla C. Dubinsky, MD, Professor, Pediatrics, and Medicine (Gastroenterology), with a $25,000 check to support research at the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai, where she is Co-Director. “Athletes vs Crohn’s and Colitis inspires and gives hope to young people suffering from IBD,” says Dr. Dubinsky.

From left: Kaare Weber, MD; Marla C. Dubinsky, MD; and Noah Weber.

The Reflux Dilemma

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Common Illness, Digestive Diseases, Ear Nose Throat, Gastroenterology, Health Tips

Many people are all-too familiar with acid reflux and how it can potentially affect us. We know the classic symptoms of indigestion and “heartburn” (GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease). Some of us experience less common symptoms that affect the throat, such as chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and post-nasal drip (LPR or laryngopharyngeal reflux disease). (more…)

Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome with a Low FODMAP Diet

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Diet and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases, Gastroenterology, Health Tips

This April, we recognize National Irritable Bowel Syndrome Month. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) began this campaign almost 20 years ago to help bring awareness to a common and often undiagnosed disorder. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition in which people experience hypersensitive guts, which causes a variety of digestive issues, such as chronic abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. These symptoms can be severe and affect quality of life. (more…)

Chronic Cough: Why Am I Always Coughing?

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Allergy, Digestive Diseases, Ear Nose Throat, Gastroenterology

Question:

Why am I always coughing? Is it allergy? Is it asthma? Do I have an infection? I took 2 courses of antibiotics but my chronic cough did not go away, so I had a chest X-ray, which was normal. I took allergy medication, and it still did not go away. My doctor gave me inhalers to treat asthma and the cough is still there. The only thing that helps is cough syrup, but I am tired of taking that. Some days I feel better and I think the problem has resolved, but the next day the cough is back. (more…)

Help! Life Stress Is Making Me Sick

May 30, 2013 | Common Illness, Digestive Diseases, Exercise, Holistic Health, Integrative Medicine

I cannot count the number of patients who come into our Williamsburg office with a physical ailment and we end up talking about their overwhelming level of stress. Job, housing, kids, relationships, money and health: Anxiety overshadows pleasure and relaxation tenfold. With today’s modern conveniences, why does life seem MORE stressful instead of more relaxing? (more…)

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