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When people hear the disease ‘Inflammatory Bowel Disease’ (IBD), they usually think of stomach pain, frequent bathroom trips, and digestive problems.  What is less well-recognised but equally crucial is the invisible war that takes place beyond the stomach. IBD affects not only the body but also the mind.  Many patients suffer from anxiety, sadness, and stress in addition to medical problems, often unaware that the two are inextricably linked.
On this World IBD Day, observed on May 19 every year, we spoke to Dr Adarsh CK, HOD and Senior Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Advanced Endoscopy, Kengeri, Bengaluru, who explained the link between IBD and mental health.
This relationship is more than simply emotional; it is biological. The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication highway that connects your digestive system to your brain. And with IBD patients, this channel of communication is frequently on fire.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic intestinal condition impacting approximately 1.6 million Americans, with most diagnoses occurring before age 35.

“Your gut contains a complex nervous system, often called the ‘second brain,’ which produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that influence mood. When the gut becomes inflamed, as in IBD (which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), the delicate equilibrium gets disrupted,” explained Dr Adarsh.
A chronic inflammatory response can produce chemicals that enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, possibly contributing to depression, irritation, and cognitive fog. Over time, patients may experience not only bloating and cramping but also a general sense of uneasiness or emotional fatigue.
Also Read: What Is The Difference Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Doctor Explains

A systematic 2021 review reported a pooled prevalence of anxiety symptoms at 35.1% and depression symptoms at 21.6% among IBD patients.
These are not simply emotional reactions to a distressing diagnosis; they are part of the sickness. The stress of uncertain symptoms, food restrictions, and frequent hospital visits can wear down even the strongest minds.
“Furthermore, mental health issues might cause physical flare-ups. When stressed or apprehensive, your body develops a ‘fight or flight’ response, exacerbating gut inflammation. It becomes a vicious cycle: gut flares affect the mind, and mental stress fuels the fire in the belly,” added Dr Adarsh.
For far too long, IBD was treated primarily as a gastrointestinal issue. But as our understanding grows, it becomes evident that healing necessitates a more comprehensive approach. Medication remains the backbone of treatment, but it is insufficient.
An excellent IBD treatment plan should include:

• Dietary advice: Some foods may exacerbate symptoms or cause flare-ups.  A nutritionist can assist in developing a personalised strategy that not only prevents problems but also promotes mental wellness (omega-3s, fibre, and probiotics).
• Mental health support: Regular counselling or therapy can help patients deal with the emotional toll of living with a chronic illness. Cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT), in particular, has had excellent outcomes in patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
• Stress-management tools: Breathing techniques, yoga, mindfulness, and even easy walks help reduce stress, which may alleviate stomach issues.

Real-World Tips for Daily Life

Living with IBD requires more than just managing drug schedules.  Here are some easy tactics shared by the expert that can make a significant difference:

• Track your emotions and symptoms together: Keeping a journal might help you identify trends in emotional stress and stomach flares.
• Avoid isolation: Joining a support group or simply speaking with others who understand can help alleviate loneliness and helplessness.
• Stick to a regimen: Regular meals, consistent sleep, and modest physical activity can help to maintain both gastrointestinal function and emotional well-being.
• Do not self-medicate: Taking too many pain relievers or anti-anxiety medications can be more harmful than beneficial. Always consult with your doctor first.

Message From The Expert

Dr Adarsh concluded, “If you have IBD and are feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, realise that it is not ‘all in your head.’ The gut and brain are inextricably linked, and both require attention. Treating IBD effectively requires going beyond the intestines and supporting the entire person.”
Do not wait for symptoms to go out of control. If you’re experiencing repeated gastrointestinal difficulties, mood fluctuations, or unexplained exhaustion, it’s time to see a specialist. With the correct team and care, it is possible to not only live with IBD but also live well.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]
All possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers’ discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.
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Journee-Mondiale > Sport
I never thought the simple side-step motion I learned in middle school gym class would become my secret weapon against Zoom fatigue. When pandemic-induced remote work transformed my dining table into an office, I noticed my energy plummeting during back-to-back video calls. That’s when I decided to experiment: what if I did step touches during every Zoom meeting?
Step touches are exactly what they sound like—stepping to one side, touching your toe to the ground, and returning to center. This low-impact movement became my subtle rebellion against sitting still. During every virtual meeting, I’d stand just out of camera view and step rhythmically side to side.
“Micro-movements throughout the day contribute significantly to your overall caloric expenditure and metabolic health,” explains Dr. Melissa Chen, exercise physiologist at Austin Wellness Institute. “These small activities, sometimes called ‘NEAT’ or non-exercise activity thermogenesis, can burn up to 350 additional calories daily.”
By week two, I noticed I wasn’t experiencing the mid-afternoon energy crash. By day 30, my fitness tracker showed I was averaging an extra 2,500 steps daily—just from meeting movements! More surprisingly, my concentration during calls actually improved rather than diminished.
The benefits reminded me of what I discovered when I tried a 5-minute desk workout that continued burning calories hours afterward—small efforts yield outsized results.
Unlike more intense workouts that leave you sweaty, step touches provide what fitness professionals call the “Goldilocks zone” of exertion—just enough movement to elevate your heart rate without disrupting your workday.
“The genius of integrating movement into meetings is that it transforms otherwise sedentary time into active minutes,” says Trevor Williams, corporate wellness consultant. “Your body doesn’t distinguish between ‘exercise’ and ‘movement’—it simply responds to not being stationary.”
Think of your Zoom schedule as a workout calendar. I started with five minutes per call, eventually working up to entire meetings. The key is consistency rather than intensity. During particularly engaging meetings where I needed to present, I’d switch to seated step touches instead.
This approach works similarly to how walking 7,500 steps daily can transform mental health—the cumulative effect is what creates meaningful change.
Like a meandering stream clearing sediment as it flows, step touches seemed to flush away mental fog during long meetings. The gentle rhythm created what psychologists call “active meditation”—enough physical engagement to prevent mind-wandering without requiring conscious focus.
After two weeks, I began incorporating different movements to target various muscle groups, similar to how ditching weights for bodyweight exercises doubled core strength for some fitness enthusiasts.
Try adding arm movements, light ankle weights, or alternating between quick and slow tempos. The beauty of desk workouts is their adaptability—they grow with your fitness level without requiring additional time commitment.
I was initially embarrassed about my “step touch habit,” hiding it from colleagues. Now I openly advocate for movement during meetings, sharing how it’s possible to burn significant calories with no-equipment routines without disrupting workflow.
Like the daily mobility move that eliminated chronic pain for some practitioners, my simple step touches transformed both my physical energy and mental approach to remote work.
Could your next Zoom call be your next workout opportunity? Your body doesn’t know the difference between exercise and movement—it only knows when you’re giving it what it needs to thrive.

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A Florida Democratic Representative slammed what she called a “GOP plan to rip healthcare from nearly 14 million Americans to fund tax cuts for the ultra-rich.”




After more than 26 hours of debate in the Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, delivered closing remarks exposing the impact of House Republicans’ plan to gut health care for nearly 14 million Americans. The Democratic Congresswoman said the House Republicans’ budget proposal slashes roughly $800 billion from Medicaid and other critical health care initiatives that serve low- and middle-income families to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires and big corporations.
“Almost 14 million Americans will lose their health coverage to give the richest Americans a large, permanent tax cut, while working families will see eventual tax increases. They’re going to add $5 trillion to the debt. It’s fiscally irresponsible, and it is morally wrong,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “Now, at the outset of our hearing that began over 24 hours ago, Democrats highlighted folks back home who rely on Medicaid, and the Republicans protested. They said none of those people are going to lose their health care. Well, here’s what we know. The nonpartisan, independent CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says 14 million Americans will lose care. And why won’t people believe what the Republicans are saying? It’s because the Republicans have a track record of opposing affordable health care, while Democrats have championed the health of our neighbors. We do not believe that you should be bankrupt if you get a diagnosis. This is smart policy. We want people to be productive and healthy.”
Watch Tampa Representative Kathy Castor’s remarks online.
A transcript of her full remarks follows below:




“Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment says that none of the provisions of this Title shall take effect if any of the provisions result in reduced access to coverage under the Health Title. And as we bring this debate in for a landing today, I want to say to my Democratic colleagues, I’m so proud to stand with you. You’re eloquent and fearless. And to Chairman Guthrie and my Republican colleagues, I want to thank you. I appreciate your respectful tenor of the debate.
“But we’ve learned a lot since the Republicans sprung this cruel and costly tax and spending package on Americans late in the dark of night, on Mother’s Day no less, rushing it to committee without a hearing, shrouding the health care debate—starting that at 1 AM in the middle of the night—but here’s what we know. Almost 14 million Americans will lose their health coverage to give the richest Americans a large, permanent tax cut, while working families will see eventual tax increases. They’re going to add $5 trillion to the debt. It’s fiscally irresponsible, and it is morally wrong. 14 million Americans. That’s the combined population of the states of Kentucky and Virginia. Some of the largest health care cuts ever proposed in American history, harming not just our neighbors, but providers, doctors, nurses, hospitals, therapists, who provide care.
“So this is going to impact all Americans. Here’s how. They’re going to bury people in costly paperwork. You slip up? No care. [They’re] Going to make it harder to enroll. No care. They’re going to shrink the enrollment periods. No care. They’re going to choke off the ability of states and providers to fund care. So no care there either. They’re going to raise premiums and price people out, so they lose care. Eligible parents and families will be forced to jump through hoops when instead, they should be focused on setting their kids up for success in life. It will be harder for families to access long-term care, or [to] stay in their homes and live in dignity.
“Now, at the outset of our hearing that began over 24 hours ago, Democrats highlighted folks back home who rely on Medicaid, and the Republicans protested. They said none of those people are going to lose their health care. Well, here’s what we know. The nonpartisan, independent CBO says 14 million Americans will lose care. And why won’t people believe what the Republicans are saying? It’s because the Republicans have a track record of opposing affordable health care, while Democrats have championed the health of our neighbors. We do not believe that you should be bankrupt if you get a diagnosis. This is smart policy. We want people to be productive and healthy.
“In fact, you can go all the way back to the 1960s when it was a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, who originally passed Medicaid and Medicare into law. Or maybe something more in the modern era. [In] 2010, when a Democratic president and a Democratic Congress, as the rolls of the uninsured reached 25 percent in the state of Florida, passed the Affordable Care Act to outlaw discrimination for preexisting conditions. We passed a law that said kids can stay on their parents’ plan to age 26. We expanded Medicaid. Twenty-one million Americans now have health coverage because of Medicaid expansion. That ultimately cut the uninsured rate in half. We’re now at a historic low in the number of uninsured. We were constraining spending.
“But see, the Republicans have a track record, because they fought it every step of the way. There wasn’t one Republican vote for the Affordable Care Act. And then, go to 2017, the first Trump Administration, Republicans in this committee fought to repeal the ACA. Contrast that to the Democratic record. We passed the Inflation Reduction Act, [including] key reforms to lower health care costs. [We] directed Medicare to negotiate prices for the highest cost drugs. We capped the price of insulin at $35, a $2,000 cap for everyone on Medicare, and enhanced premium tax credits. The track record, again, not one GOP vote here.
“In 2021, [in] the midst of a maternal mortality crisis, we gave states a new option to provide Medicaid postpartum coverage. [Now here] In 2025, at the outset of this Congress, the Republicans are turning a blind eye. They’re going down the same old path to rip health coverage away. It doesn’t have to be like this. [p]eople in America deserve affordable, reliable care, and that’s what we intend to fight for. From this day forward, no matter if you pass this bill out of this committee, we’re not going to give up. We’re going to stand up for our neighbors back home. See them. See them, listen to them. Empower them. Support them. Don’t rip away their coverage to fund a massive tax giveaway for the wealthy.”


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‘Liver King’ exposed for lying about ‘raw animal’ diet, extreme workouts  New York Post
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Updated on: May 18, 2025 / 7:25 PM EDT / CBS Baltimore
Sewage overflow at the Dundalk Pumping Station has led to health officials warning people to avoid recreational activities in the nearby waterways.
Strong storms on Friday caused the pumping station to lose power, which caused overflowing and a health warning for areas around Bear Creek.
A Recreational Water Quality Advisory has been issued for recreational waters in these parks:
Signs are posted in those areas, informing visitors to avoid water, including swimming, fishing, canoeing, and other water-related activities.  
“What we’re looking for are these bacteria we call coliforms, and coliforms are things like E. coli, people might have heard of that,” said Lucy Wilson, the Baltimore County health officer. “And so those can cause infections, those can cause gastrointestinal infections or even skin infections.”
The health department will be testing the water frequently to determine its safety.
National Weather Service surveyors confirmed that an EF-1 tornado ripped through Dundalk and parts of Baltimore City on Friday, May 16.
The tornado, which brought wind gusts of up to 110 mph, tore multiple roofs off buildings, including the Merritt Club of Canton, and portions of apartment complexes in Dundalk.
Surveyors followed the storm damage along a corridor from Federal Hill to Canton, to Brewer’s Hill, Dundalk, and Sparrows Point. 
“I saw it get really super dark, and I saw clouds that looked like it could have been a tornado, but I’m not a weather person, so I don’t know,” said Dundalk resident Dorothea Woods.  
Baltimore Gas and Electric said the powerful storm impacted 74,000 customers in Central Maryland.
Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.
© 2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Children in Great Britain with serious conditions 68% more likely to have limited ability to work as adults, report says
Children in Great Britain with serious mental health conditions are two-thirds more likely to have a limited ability to work in adulthood, according to research from a leading thinktank.
The report by researchers at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looked at data from about 6,000 people who took part in the 1970 British Cohort Study, which is following the lives of individuals born in a single week in 1970 across Great Britain.
The analysis found that people who had severe mental and behavioural issues as a child were 85% more likely to have symptoms of depression at the age of 51, and 68% more likely to have a long-term condition that affects their ability to work.
Children with a physical health problem were 38% more likely to have limited capacity for work in later life, according to the analysis.
The government has pledged to “raise the healthiest generation of children in our history”. Labour has committed to introducing a targeted national dental hygiene programme, cutting paediatric waiting times with 2m more operations, and setting a 9pm watershed for junk food advertising.
The IPPR recommended the government safeguard spending on children and preventive spending in the NHS and other public services, and expand the role of the children’s commissioner.
In January, the Guardian reported that the number of children referred to emergency mental healthcare in England had risen by 10% in a year, with lengthy waiting lists for regular NHS care pushing more to crisis point.
Previous research by the IPPR estimated that the hidden cost of rising workplace sickness in the UK had passed £100bn a year, with employees now losing the equivalent of 44 days of productivity because of working through sickness, up from 35 days in 2018.
Amy Gandon, an associate fellow at the thinktank and a former senior government official on children’s health, said: “Successive governments have failed to face up to the long-term consequences of poor child health. If this government is serious about building a preventative state, it must act decisively to improve the prospects of our children and young people.
“What’s more, the dividends from doing so need not be decades away; the right action now – for example, for those joining the workforce within a few years – can deliver better health, opportunity and growth within this parliament.”
Dr Jamie O’Halloran, a senior research fellow at the IPPR, said: “The earlier we address both physical and mental health challenges for children, the more likely we can prevent costly health conditions and worklessness later in life. This is not just a matter of improving individual lives, but also of alleviating long-term pressures on the state.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As this report demonstrates, prevention is better than cure. That’s why this week, we expanded access to mental health teams in schools to almost an extra million children.
“We are investing an extra £680 million for mental health services, recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers, and delivering an extra 345,000 talking therapies.
“Through our Plan for Change, we will tackle the mental health crisis and give every child a healthy start to life.”

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