11 Things Not to Say to Someone With Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis

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What not to say

By Anne Harding

Living with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, is a challenge.

People with these serious conditions can lose weight during a flare-up and gain it all back—and then some—if they need to take corticosteroids to get symptoms under control. And it can be hard to find food that's OK to eat, because the conditions differ for everyone.

For all these reasons, certain comments—such as those that focus on looks, weight, and diet—can be more harmful than helpful. Here's what not to say.

Next: You don't look sick