Managing your IBD: of course there’s an app for that!

There’s an app for everything these days, and helping you take control and manage your IBD is no exception. They may also be useful in keeping your doctor updated with patterns and habits.

MyIBD Care

An all-rounder app, developed by Ampersand Health in the UK. MyIBD Care tracks a whole range of information, including medication, symptoms and flares, doctors’ appointments, bowel movements, diet, sleep, exercise and pain.

You can also undertake courses specific to IBD, like helping improve your sleep and physical activity.

Available for free on Google Play and Apple App Store https://ampersandhealth.co.uk/myibdcare/

Calm

While we know stress doesn’t cause IBD, we do know it’s important to keep stress at bay. Undertaking mindfulness and meditation exercises may help reduce stress.

Meditations range from 3 to 30 minutes, so you can choose what’s best based on your current schedule. There are also sleep stories if you’re having trouble sleeping at night.

Available for free on Google Play and Apple App Store https://www.calm.com/

My Crohn’s and Colitis Team

A social based app that connects you with over 160,000 other people across the world living with IBD. Conversations between the community range from life hacks to help manage flares, reduce the daily burden of living with a chronic disease and improve quality of life at home and work.

The app also contains a number of informative articles.

Available for free on Google Play and Apple App Store https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/

Cara Care

While not specific to IBD, Cara Care provides help for a range of chronic gastrointestinal issues. You can track symptoms, bowel movements, stress and food, and the app can help you understand what some of your potential triggers are.

Available for free on Google Play and Apple App Store https://cara.care/

Poop Master or Poop Tracker

Similar, yet different, Poop Master (Apple) and Poop Tracker (Google) do exactly that: track your poop. Log every movement, including information like colour, type, urgency and any other important things each time. You can also export your data and share with friends (or probably just your healthcare professionals)

Available for free with in app purchases on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appstronautstudios.pooplog&hl=en_AU&gl=US and a small monthly fee on Apple App Store https://apps.apple.com/bb/app/poopmaster-pro/id1484761330

MySymptoms

Developed mainly as a food diary, MySymptoms allows you to track sleep, stress, exercise, food, medications and other external factors. You can then view trends and see patterns as they arise. You can download data to share with your health professionals.

Available for free on Google Play and Apple App Store https://www.mysymptoms.net/

MyColitis

Not just for Colitis, unlike the name suggests, MyColitis is another tracking app for anyone with IBD. It has a fun, colourful interface, and allows tracking of symptoms, bowel movements, medications, and tests. You can also use it to remind you to take medications.

Available for free on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thomasdrafting.mycolitis and https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/mycolitis/id1249463933

As always, remember that things you read online (or in app) don’t replace the medical advice of your own doctor or specialist. The team at IBD SA are always here to help whether you’ve just been diagnosed, are having a flare, or just need some additional support.