Article: The type of treatment that would be most effective at alleviating your symptoms depends largely on the type of IBD you have, as well as your overall health status. Visit a gastroenterologist to be diagnosed (if you haven't already) and to determine what you need to do to treat your IBD. Depending on the type of IBD you have, your plan will be adjusted periodically to help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Having a treatment plan that has been tailored to your lifestyle, needs, symptoms, and responses to medication can make the difference between a life of frequent symptoms and a life that is symptom-free for long periods of time. There are many medications available to reduce the inflammation that produces the symptoms of IBD. This is the most common form of treatment for IBD. Commonly prescribed medications include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, and pain medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to directly treat the inflammation in your GI tract. Immune system suppressors work to prevent the immune system response that may be inflaming your GI tract in the first place. Antibiotics are prescribed in cases where infection is a concern. Acetaminophen can offer pain relief and is generally tolerated better than NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen. Note that not every medication will work for everyone and some medications may cause undesirable side effects. Talk to your doctor to ensure that your treatment plan doesn't involve unnecessary discomfort. Be honest with your healthcare professional about your experiences with side effects and symptom control in response to medications. In some cases, dose adjustments may be all that is necessary to make a treatment more effective for you. Some medications lose effectiveness over time. Your treatment regimen will need to be periodically re-evaluated and updated as your symptoms change or worsen. In many cases, certain foods may trigger or worsen symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Consult with a nutritionist to determine what, if any, foods you should refrain from eating in order to keep your symptoms in check. For example, many dietitians will encourage people with IBD to avoid fried foods, fatty foods, and foods with a lot of fiber in them. Including soft and bland foods in your diet, such as applesauce, bananas, and oatmeal, is generally recommended by nutritionists for alleviating IBD symptoms. People with IBD are often encouraged to keep a journal of foods and drinks they consume as well as whatever symptoms they experience for a few weeks. This will help a nutritionist design a targeted meal plan to identify foods that exacerbate your symptoms. For the best chance of success in subduing or preventing flare-ups, follow your dietary and medicine plan to the letter. IBD is a chronic condition, so you'll need to stick to this plan indefinitely in order to manage the disease. Skipping or doubling doses without the advisement of a health professional can be dangerous or counterproductive. Use medications only as instructed and do not take additional medicines or supplements without first consulting a medical professional. Sometimes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis don't adequately respond to medication and other mild forms of treatment. If this is the case for you, talk to your doctor to see if there is a procedure you could undergo to help alleviate your symptoms. Most of the symptoms of IBD can be effectively treated with medication and lifestyle changes, so you should only begin thinking about surgical options if these other treatment methods don't work at all. If you have ulcerative colitis, you have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Get a colonoscopy 8-10 years after your initial diagnosis and every year thereafter. Note that stool testing is not an accurate way to test for colon cancer if you have IBD.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Work with a physician to develop a treatment plan that's right for you. Take medications that your doctor prescribes you for your symptoms. See a nutritionist to design a dietary regimen that won't trigger your IBD. Adhere strictly to your treatment plan to get the best results possible. Ask your doctor about surgery options to better treat your IBD. Get regular colon cancer screenings.

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, the most common treatment is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help regulate your breathing. A CPAP machine may take some getting used to, but it will allow you to get a full night's rest. Ask your doctor about other devices as well. There are a number of appliances and devices other than the CPAP that may help keep your nose and throat open and help prevent sleep apnea. These include tapes that help open the nose or head straps that keep your jaw forward. Make sure that you talk to your physician and dentist before you try any devices. They will be able to give you recommendations on the best devices available. . If you are overweight, then losing weight may significantly improve or even cure your sleep apnea. To lose weight, you will need to burn more calories than you consume. Doing things like keeping a food diary to keep track of calories, eating more fruits and vegetables, and replacing high calorie beverages with water can all help. Talk to your doctor for recommendations on a weight loss plan that will work for you. Exercise can help you lose weight and help to maintain cardiovascular health, but it can also help ease the symptoms of sleep apnea. Start out easy and work your way up into more strenuous exercise. Start by trying to get 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, at least 5 days a week. You can also join a gym or do aerobics, strength training, yoga, tai chi, or chi gong. Find something that you enjoy so that you will stick with it. The way that you sleep can also aggravate sleep apnea. Avoid sleeping on your back because this can cause your throat muscles to tighten up and your tongue to drop back into your throat. This will increase the risk of sleep apnea. Try sleeping on your side with a pillow propped behind your back to keep you from rolling onto your back. . Smoking can make sleep apnea worse, so it is important to quit smoking if you have sleep apnea. If you are a smoker, ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs in your area. Many communities offer low or no cost help to quit smoking. Alcohol and tranquilizers increase the risk of sleep apnea, so it is best to avoid these altogether if you have sleep apnea. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try drinking a cup of warm milk or herbal tea instead.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Ask your doctor about sleep aid devices. Get to a healthy weight Exercise most days of the week. Change your sleep position. Quit smoking Skip alcohol and tranquilizers before bed.