Crohn's Disease
Best Apps for Crohn's 2012
Whether Crohn’s disease patients like it or not, they spend a great deal of time in the bathroom and it can get boring. Thanks to advances in technology (smart phones, tablets), Crohn’s disease sufferers have new ways to occupy their bathroom time by popping open an App on their Apple or Android device. This past year, developers have stepped up their game and proved that for Crohn’s disease the saying is true – there really is an App for that.
Please note: Healthline Networks does not endorse or warrant for fitness of purpose any of these applications. These apps have not been evaluated for medical accuracy by Healthline Networks and unless otherwise indicated, haven’t been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
Bathroom Scout – Free or Bathroom Scout Pro – $1.36
Currently only available for Android users, Bathroom Scout, lives up to its name. Created by Mobilino UG, this App will help Crohn’s sufferers find bathrooms all over the world with turn-by-turn directions and Google Street View to scope out the location. The App also comes with several language options English, Spanish and Chinese. Also, the developer encourages users to keep the App up-to-date by adding new bathroom locations and rating existing ones.
If you opt to pay for the Pro version, not only can you enjoy the options mentioned above, but it comes with Satellite view and a Waterfall sound effect too.
Find Toilets – FREE
This App from Elbatrop Ltd is ideal for Crohn’s sufferers across the world, especially frequent travelers. Available for both iTunes and Android, reviewers have scored Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington DC with the best coverage in the U.S. Planning on heading out of the country? Reviewers gave the UK and Australia top marks for overall coverage.
In order to get Find Toilets to direct you to the closest facility, you will need to enable your mobile device’s GPS location settings. If you are using a device without GPS, you’ll need a WiFi connection to access maps.
SitOrSquat: Restroom Finder – FREE
Created by Charmin, this fun little App is available for both Apple and Android devices and boasts over 100,000 restrooms being listed. With ratings based on a cleanliness rating system of SitorSquat, users can even back up the claim by posting a picture.
Individuals with Crohn’s disease won’t be the only ones who can benefit from SitOrSquat. Parents on the move will appreciate it too, since facility ratings include baby changing stations and family bathrooms. There’s even a setting to warn others about a Pay-Per-Use facility. Registration is as simple as using your Facebook account!
Toilet/Bathroom Finder – FREE
Yep, you guessed it. It’s another bathroom locator. Did the name give it away? Available on both Android and Apple devices, Toilet/Bathroom Finder from BeTomorrow, wants to be considered the “biggest world public toilet database” with over 60,000 facilities already plugged in.
Although the App has gotten mixed reviews, on June 27, a Droid reviewer with Crohn’s gave the App 4 out of 5 stars and said, “I have Crohn’s and finding a bathroom when on the road is a must. This app is making things so much easier for me.”*
*Edited for grammar
Colonoscopy Prep Assistant – FREE
Colonoscopy Prep Assistant is an essential App that every Crohn’s disease patient should have on their Android or Apple device. Created by WellApps (also creator of GI Monitor), this App helps keep track during the prep. Simply select “number of glasses” or “drink until finished,” and then the app will tell you when to drink, time left, and number glass you’re on.
Upon completion of your last glass, Colonoscopy Prep Assistant even gives you a little cheer. After all, a little levity is always welcome. Just ask iTunes user Don Don, describing this as an “Excellent App for a Rough Time.”
GI Monitor – Free
Also created by WellApps (maker of Colonoscopy Prep Assistant), GI Monitor tracks symptoms, creates usable reports and unites IBD sufferers. Created for both Apple and Android devices, this APP is a must-have for all Crohn’s patients!
One of GI Monitor’s best features is its ability to act as your own personal advocate by logging things like pain and stress levels, symptoms, meals, medications, and track possible correlations. Forget about experiencing another awful brain fart regarding your symptoms while at a doctor’s appointment, you can even store questions for your doctor right inside of the App. Another added bonus: socialize with other Crohn’s patients.
Low - FODMAP Diet – FREE
The Low-FODMAP diet, it is the elimination of short chain carbs and monosaccharaides that do not absorb well in the small intestine. Researchers have found it beneficial for Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and IBS sufferers. Foods considered to fall on the Low-FODMAP do-not-eat list include apples, peaches, artichoke, inulin, rye, asparagus, watermelon and even chocolate.
As you can see, FODMAPs cover a wide range of foods. The Low - FODMAP Diet App was designed for Android users to quickly check if a food item is good, bad or unsure. Although not designed by a medical professional, it may prove to be helpful.
myIBD – FREE
A collaborative effort between patients and doctors, myIBD was developed for Crohn’s and Colitis patients by The Hospital for Sick Children. Available for both Android and Apple devices, the App is great for children and adults.
One reviewer points out that her child’s age was not eligible for the App, so she fudged it to keep track of her 4-year-old son’s symptoms, location of pain, meals, number of school days missed, mood, and more. Another added benefit of myIBD is its management functionality – users can see a graph of their symptoms and read a simple report.
Entertainment!
Having helpful Apps that locate recommended public bathroom facilities, keep track of symptoms and help connect patients with one another are definitely great innovations for Crohn’s patients to have on their mobile devices. But sometimes a little levity in an already unpleasant situation is necessary.
Rounding out the Best Crohn’s Apps for 2012 are some fun ones.
Drag Toilet Paper – FREE
Has your Crohn’s disease or just general frustration ever given you the urge to unfurl the entire roll of toilet paper in a bathroom? If so, it doesn’t look like you’re alone. Some of the developers at M&P Software must have been in a similar boat when they created Drag Toilet Paper for both Apple and Android devices.
And if dragging the paper off the roll in record time isn’t enough for you, the latest update of this App allows you to listen to some cool tunes and view some interesting background cartoons.
ThirstFlusher – FREE
An App with a cause! If you are a believer in the “Polite Flush” while using a public restroom, technically you are wasting water. And ThirstFlusher, available on Apple devices, wants to help you while saving the environment.
ThirstFlusher has two functions: preserving an individual with Crohn’s dignity and saving water. Choose from sound effects located on a fun dial like flushing, trumpet, rain, whistle and more. Turn the dial to select the sound and flush. Added bonus: you get to see how much water you’ve saved as a result of using this App!
PoopTime – $0.99
Ever wondered how much money you would’ve earned with all the quality time Crohn’s disease has caused you to spend in the bathroom? PoopTime, developed by Bomdigular for Apple devices, will keep you entertained and informed. You can even share “earnings” with your Facebook friends and Tweeps!
Aside from having a silly name, PoopTime provides a great deal of entertainment (facts, jokes) aside from your “accumulated earnings”. Not to be forgotten is the added benefit this App provides, you are able to track the frequency and length of time Crohn’s is causing you to “waste” in the bathroom.
Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader – $1.99
Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader, the popular bathroom-staple book series, has taken its fun facts and trivia mobile. Available for both Apple and Android devices, individuals with Crohn’s will surely appreciate the attention to detail the Bathroom Readers Institute took to create this App.
Users will find functions like the ability to read Uncle John’s Blog, “Share” what they’ve learned (email, Facebook and Twitter), and make some noise. Curious about how to make some noise? All you have to do is squeeze the Ducky and he’ll toot. Added bonus: as the developers point out, Ducky toots are odorless.
Best Apps for Crohn’s 2012
Crohn’s disease can be a very isolating disease, especially with the amount of time it causes someone to spend in the bathroom. As technology advances and developers become more in tune with Crohn’s patients’ needs, more amazing Apps will develop for personal health management use. Just imagine, one day soon you could be carrying your records, labs, and imaging, right inside of your mobile device.
Whether you like to spend your bathroom time with a good ol’ fashioned book/magazine or an App on your mobile device, after reading this you can’t deny it … there really is an App for that!
Methodology
We selected these Crohn's apps based on their potential to aid people with Crohn's and their loved ones in a number of ways. Additional factors considered in selecting these apps included: user ratings, affordability, accessibility, format, functionality, and relevance to Crohn's and its community's needs. Together, this collection represents the gamut of helpful iPhone and Android apps that are successfully designed to make life with Crohn's more manageable.
