The Future of IBD Care is on Your Wrist: How Apple Watches May Improve Treatment for Crohn’s Disease to Ulcerative Colitis
Posted By Author on January 14, 2025
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a blanket term to describe conditions involving chronic inflammation of the tissues in your digestive tract. Types of IBD include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
IBD has the capacity to range from a mild illness to a debilitating disease, affecting how you move through your daily life and controlling what you can – and cannot – do daily.
IBD flares can often arise unannounced, making them difficult to track and even harder to control, but recent studies may be looking at technology to help.
Keep reading as we examine how our technology may help with IBD flare-ups and how our gastroenterology doctors near you can further assist you on your road to recovery!
Data from Wearable Devices May Become a Part of the Management and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 found data collected from wearable technology, from Apple Watches to Fitbit, could help uncover flare-ups in those suffering from IBD conditions.
Robert Hirten, a gastroenterologist and clinical director of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai in New York City, was searching for ways to monitor flares from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis without invasive procedures.
“Our current methods for diagnosing flares involve taking blood or stool samples or performing an endoscopy, which are inconvenient and invasive,” the lead investigator told Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News. “We really wanted to capitalize on devices that people frequently use and enjoy using. We’re hoping to use wearable data as a monitoring modality for IBD flares.”
The IBD Forecast Study involved 310 U.S. adults with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease using their own wearable device or one provided for them. The study examined the relationship between flare-ups and parameters monitored on one’s watch, such as heart rate, resting heart rate, and daily steps.
According to Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, the participant’s average heart rate and resting heart rate were found to be higher, and their daily steps were lower during flares than during periods without flares.
Hirten noted the physiologic markers recorded by the watches started to change eight weeks before the onset of a flare. This data is now being used to develop a machine-learning algorithm to help predict the onset of flares in an individual.
“The earlier we catch IBD flares, and the milder they are when we catch them, the earlier we can, hopefully, mitigate or prevent complications from developing,” Dr. Hirten told Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
An estimated 1.6 million people in the U.S., from young children to older adults, suffer from IBD flare-ups. Inflammatory bowel disease refers to the diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the GI tract, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes ulcers in your GI tract. While they typically develop in the small intestine and the upper portion of the large intestine, the sores can arise in any area of the GI tract.
Ulcerative colitis is similar to Crohn’s in that it causes ulcers, or sores, in the large intestine. The sores typically begin in the rectum and can spread to other areas of your colon.
Symptoms of IBD
Symptoms of IBD will vary in severity depending on the inflammation and where it occurs. Symptoms that are common in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis include:
Unfortunately, those who suffer from IBD will experience bouts of flare-ups or times when the disease is in an active state. At other times, you may be in a “remission” period, where you experience no symptoms and can go about your daily life as normal.
If you begin to show signs of inflammatory bowel disease or experience unexplained changes in your bowel habits, consult with one of our gastroenterologists near you. It’s possible you may be experiencing an IBD flare-up or other underlying GI condition.
How is IBD Diagnosed?
As we wait for our Apple watches and algorithms to warn us of IBD flare-ups, you’ll need to undergo a combination of tests and procedures at our Charleston gastroenterology clinic.
An ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease diagnosis will be confirmed by one or more of the following tests:
Our gastroenterology specialists will work with you to determine which tests and procedures are best in confirming your GI condition and devise a treatment approach specialized to your needs and symptoms.
Stay Up to Date on the Latest News on GI Conditions with Charleston GI!
At Charleston GI, our goal is to provide a higher standard of care to create the best patient experience, whether that be delivering the latest news on GI conditions and treatments or helping you understand what’s happening in your GI tract.
Whether you’re experiencing a Crohn’s flare or can’t seem to pinpoint your abdominal pain, we are here to help!
We have four convenient Charleston, SC area locations to choose from, in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Carnes Crossroads.
