The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s “GI Buddy” app for iPhone allows those living with an inflammatory bowel disease to better manage their symptoms and treatment. The app, which is a free iPhone download and also available via Web on your desktop, allows users to track their symptoms, interact with message boards that feature topics relevant to the disease, and generate reports based on the information input, among other features.

The message boards include topics for young adults, women, symptom management, surgery, emotional wellness and treatments. Each topic has many threads where users can interact with and add to the discussions.

One of the most interesting and useful features, however, is the reports section. Here, users can find a detailed daily log to take to their physician that includes information about how the user was feeling, what activities they had participated in and what they were eating on a certain day.

There aren’t many downsides to this helpful app, but they are worth pointing out. “GI Buddy” doesn’t seem to be completely iPhone optimized — there is no way to zoom in on message boards. Another frustrating feature is that the app is fixed vertically. Without the ability to zoom in on a topic or turn your device horizontally, users may find the technology slightly lacking.

Overall, the app is a great tool for people living with Crohn’s and colitis that should help users better organize their symptoms to manage their disease.

Get the app here: http://www.ccfa.org/gibuddy