Childrens’ gastrointestinal illnesses are on the rise.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, was once a rarity among children, but now may affect as many as 80,000 kids in the U.S., an increase of more than 50 percent in the last decade. These diseases can damage the tissue of the small and large bowels through chronic painful inflammation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which occurs in as many as 15 percent of adolescents, can cause cramplike pains and bouts of diarrhea and/or constipation.

The causes of IBD and IBS are not well understood, but research suggests that influential factors may include genetic and/or immune system dysfunction, overuse of antibiotics, diet, lack of exercise and stress.

Stress may also be an important factor both in the severity and likelihood of flare-ups for these conditions. Kids are particularly sensitive to stress and emotional upsets. Because nerves in the colon are linked to the brain, stress and conflict (things like family problems, moving, taking tests, going on vacation, and trauma) can affect how the GI tract functions in a myriad of ways. By countering the stress response with the elicitation of the relaxation response we can prevent or reduce severity of flare-ups and possibly even help stave off disease onset.

This January, BHI is very pleased to partner with the Mass General pediatrics GI department in leading Stress Management and Resiliency Training programs for kids with chronic gastrointestinal issues. Given the critical importance of parents’ abilities to support their children in having success with the program, BHI also will host a corresponding program for parents of patient participants.

“With the initiation of this program, we will bring a much needed resource to a group of patients for whom Mind Body Medicine will be highly beneficial,” says Mark Salvatore, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at MGH.

This interactive, engaging research-validated program will provide teens, ages 12-18, and their parents, the self-care skills they need to reduce physical symptoms and move through life’s physical and emotional challenges with greater resiliency by learning:
•    How stress affects thoughts and feelings
•    Meditation techniques to reduce symptoms and improve physical health, such as deep breathing, mindfulness and imagery
•    How to foster positive thoughts and attitudes

Enrollment is still open for this eight-session program, which begins January 21st. Sessions will be held Wednesdays from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at the Benson-Henry Institute, 151 Merrimac Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA.
Cost: $300 per participant
Leadership: This program is led by Leslee Kagan, MS, FNP, and Rana Chudnofsky, Director of the BHI Education Initiative, and Mark Salvatore, MD, Pediatric GI.

Parent Group: Parents have the option to participate in a separate stress-reduction and resiliency building program while their children’s program is in session. Cost: $200 for one or both parents.

For more information, or to sign up, please contact Laura Malloy at lmalloy@partners.org or (617) 643-6061 or Marilyn Wilcher at 617-643-6035 or mwilcher@partners.org.