In this deeply personal episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with Olivia about her life-altering battle with severe ulcerative colitis.

What began as worsening digestive symptoms in her mid-20s quickly escalated into relentless pain, 30+ bathroom trips a day, extreme blood loss and multiple emergency room visits. After a delayed diagnosis and ineffective treatments, Olivia faced life-threatening complications, including a hemoglobin level so low doctors told her she might not survive another day.

Refusing to give up, she advocated for herself, found a new specialist and ultimately enrolled in a dual-drug clinical trial that changed everything. Today, she’s in remission, traveling freely, regaining healthy weight and living without the constant fear of urgency or accidents.

Olivia shares candid advice about self-advocacy, overcoming embarrassment, finding the right care team and preparing for the unexpected. Her message is powerful: don’t lose hope. Effective treatments exist, community matters and you deserve to fight for your health — and your life.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this powerful episode of Life Without Leaks, we welcome world-renowned IBD expert Dr. Marla Dubinsky of Mount Sinai to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis treatment.

Dr. Dubinsky shares why early diagnosis and timely use of advanced therapies can dramatically change a patient’s long-term trajectory — and why too many people are still suffering unnecessarily. From delayed diagnoses and safety misconceptions to the stigma around bowel urgency and incontinence, this conversation tackles the real barriers patients face.

You’ll hear why symptom severity today doesn’t always predict future risk, why “mild” disease can still require serious treatment, and how modern therapies are reshaping outcomes. Most importantly, Dr. Dubinsky makes a compelling case that patients do not have to accept a life defined by flares, fear or leaks.

If you or someone you love is navigating IBD — or wondering when to seek care — this episode offers clarity, hope and actionable insight.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this gripping episode of Life Without Leaks, we speak with John, a law enforcement officer, father of two and competitive strongman, about his harrowing journey to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis.

What began as severe abdominal pain during college spiraled into months of weight loss, vomiting, emergency room visits and being repeatedly dismissed as a drug seeker. Despite worsening symptoms - including intestinal rupture and near-fatal complications - John struggled to be believed. Ultimately, exploratory surgery at the University of Pennsylvania revealed the truth: advanced Crohn’s disease requiring immediate intervention.

John opens up about the physical toll, temporary ostomy, slow recovery and the psychological impact of medical trauma. He shares how therapy, strength training and community helped him reclaim his identity and rebuild confidence.

His message is clear: advocate for yourself, seek providers who listen and be cautious about online horror stories. Crohn’s may be life-changing, but it is not the end of the world. John’s powerful story is one of resilience, validation and hard-earned hope.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Dr. Ryan O’Leary, advanced fellow in inflammatory bowel disease, for a deep dive into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Dr. O’Leary breaks down what sets Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis apart from other digestive conditions, explaining how IBD can affect patients at any age, from early childhood to later adulthood, and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. He explores the complexity of inflammation, the role of the immune system and how IBD can impact far more than the gut, including joints, skin, eyes and mental health.

The conversation also covers realistic treatment goals, the expanding range of medications available today, dietary considerations, when surgery becomes part of care and why personalized treatment plans are essential. Importantly, Dr. O’Leary addresses the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition and emphasizes the importance of persistence, advocacy and specialist care.

If you or a loved one is navigating unexplained GI symptoms or an IBD diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, reassurance and a hopeful look at what’s possible with modern care.

Learn more about a wide range of bowel conditions and get free resources here.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this moving patient story, we speak with Gerri, a Crohn's patient, about her journey from debilitating digestive symptoms to complete remission.

Gerri shares what it was like to live in New York City while navigating relentless urgency, severe abdominal pain she describes as “hot lava,” and the constant need to locate the nearest restroom. After months of worsening symptoms and a turning point moment with her mom, she sought specialist care, leading to bloodwork, testing, colonoscopy and, ultimately, a diagnosis.

Hers is a story of relief and hope. She explains how biologic therapy dramatically eliminated her symptoms within 24 hours and how ongoing treatment has allowed her to live fully - working, running and becoming a new mom - without her disease defining her life.

Her message is clear: Don’t wait. Seek care, advocate for yourself and find a doctor you trust. For anyone struggling with unexplained GI symptoms, this episode offers reassurance that effective treatment - and real freedom - is possible.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we sit down with Dr. Maria Roell, an internal medicine resident specializing in gastroenterology, to break down the essentials of inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Roell explains what IBD really is and how it differs from IBS, outlining key warning signs such as bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and urgency. She also highlights lesser-known symptoms, including joint pain, skin changes and eye inflammation, that can signal systemic disease.

The conversation walks listeners through the diagnostic journey, from lab work and stool tests to colonoscopy and imaging, and it explores the growing range of treatment options, including biologics and emerging biosimilars. Dr. Roell also addresses common barriers to care, including cost, access and stigma, while emphasizing the importance of asking questions and advocating for yourself.

Whether you’re newly experiencing symptoms or navigating a recent diagnosis, this episode offers clarity, practical guidance and reassurance that effective treatment options are available.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

Urgency, frequent bathroom trips and unexpected leaks can disrupt daily life, but they’re more treatable than many people realize. Dr. Travis Bullock joins Life Without Leaks to answer questions from his recent webinar, explain the difference between overactive bladder and other forms of incontinence, and discuss new therapies like neuromodulation that can help restore bladder control and quality of life.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for

In this episode, Dr. Eric Rovner addresses a common fear that men have about prostate cancer treatment: incontinence. Drawing on his clinical experience, Dr. Rovner explains that treatment does not automatically mean a lifetime of bladder leakage. In fact, only a small percentage of patients experience long-lasting symptoms. He discusses why temporary changes in bladder control can occur, what factors influence recovery and - most importantly - what men can do before and after treatment to reduce their risk and regain control. Our conversation offers clarity, reassurance and actionable guidance for men navigating prostate cancer care.

For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Music:
Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

A good night’s sleep is hard enough without worrying about leaks. Attends Sleep Comfort Premium Overnight Underwear is designed to help you stay dry and comfortable through the night, with up to twelve hours of overnight protection. These premium incontinence underwear offer advanced absorbency and a secure fit that works while you rest, even during extended sleep. It offers premium overnight protection without a premium price. Visit Attends.com for