Latest news with #CrohnsDisease
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman Hid Ostomy Bag for Years in Fear It Would Scare People Away. But 1 Trip Changed Everything (Exclusive)
Sara Levitt is a model and content creator with over 43,000 followers on Instagram The 30-year-old is also a Crohn's disease and ostomy advocate For 15 years, she kept her ostomy bag hidden from the world. Now, she's setting a powerful example for others to embrace life openly and confidently with chronic illnessSara Levitt is breaking barriers in more ways than one. A lifelong battle with Crohn's disease and years of living with an ostomy haven't stopped her – in fact, they've fueled her. Now a 2025 delegate for Miss Universe Canada, the Montreal native is using her platform to advocate for chronic illness awareness. Known for her humor, Levitt often says, 'I like long walks on the runway while taking a poop in my bag' — a sharp reminder that confidence comes from authenticity, not perfection. The 30-year-old's journey is as much about survival as it is about redefining what strength and beauty look like. 'In my community, there is no such thing as TMI when you live with a chronic illness and a visible difference that literally revolves around poop – a topic that has been deemed taboo by society for so long,' Levitt tells PEOPLE exclusively. Levitt was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 3 years old after her mother noticed symptoms like blood in her stool, frequent crying, and loss of appetite. Extensive tests and a colonoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. Things took a turn for the worse in March 2006 when doctors found her ulcerative colitis had progressed to Crohn's disease. The next two years were the most difficult, marked by extended hospital stays, sometimes for three to four months at a time, in total isolation due to being immunocompromised from treatments. Young Levitt was put on high doses of prednisone and other medications, taking six to seven pills daily, and was fed through a nasal tube, which she began using at age 11. 'I dropped down to, I think, something like 40 pounds at age 11,' Levitt reveals. 'I was skin and bone. I developed moon face from long-term prednisone.' Doctors tried a range of medications, and while she occasionally reached moderate stability, her condition worsened over time. Levitt experienced severe pain, loss of appetite, and was eventually pulled from school. For two years, she lived in constant, debilitating pain, unable to live a normal life. The possibility of ostomy surgery was introduced later, after exhausting all other treatment options. 'I had developed a very strong character at a very young age, an armor of shield, in order to carry me throughout that journey,' she says. 'A lot of nights spent alone in a hospital at 11-12 years old, looking out the window…wondering why me? Am I ever going to get better? I just wanted to be out in the world. I just want to be enjoying life.' After realizing she was no longer responding to medication, doctors determined she needed emergency ostomy surgery. At that point, Levitt was severely malnourished and in constant pain. Scans and tests showed a risk of intestinal rupture and sepsis. Within days, surgery was scheduled, and she underwent the procedure in May 2008. 'I never wanted an ostomy … I always say now, little me never dreamed … [I could] be a model and a creator with an ostomy,' she admits. 'It was always just – I want to be normal. I want to have a life, and I want to be out of pain.' Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure that allows bodily waste to pass through a surgically created stoma on the abdomen into a prosthetic known as a pouch or ostomy bag on the outside of the body, according to the United Ostomy Associations of America. When doctors told her an ostomy was necessary to survive, it felt like there was no real choice. It was either life with an ostomy bag or the risk of dying. Levitt agreed to the temporary ostomy, but the stigma surrounding it deeply affected her. 'Obviously I feared a lot of what ostomy life would look like. I had my own thoughts in my head…I literally felt like I was completely alone," she explains. "People are going to think I'm disgusting, that I smell, that I'm gross. That I have this bag of poop on me." 'I'm never going to be seen as beautiful, desirable. I'm never going to fit into beauty standards. No guy is going to want to date me. How am I going to tell new friends? It was literally just fear.' At age 13, Levitt felt she couldn't tell anyone about her ostomy beyond her family and a few close friends. It was a pivotal age when most girls began discovering their bodies and the world around them but she, instead, was missing out on much of her high school and adolescent life. 'My entire disease revolves around poop and fecal matter which already has its own stigma, and now I have an ostomy, a bag of poop on me, 24/7,' Levitt says. 'I always say I felt like I woke up in my own version of hell, despite what I had just endured over the past two years, which is crazy because that was hell in itself.' Initially, Levitt's ostomy was temporary, meaning her rectum was left intact for a possible future reconnection. The plan was to eventually reverse the surgery by removing the ostomy and reattaching the intestine, allowing her to use the bathroom normally again. She clung to that hope and regularly asked her doctor about the possibility of reversal, especially once she started feeling healthier with the ostomy. While it greatly improved her quality of life, Levitt emphasizes that an ostomy isn't a cure – it's a powerful tool for managing symptoms, but flare-ups can still happen, as they do for many others living with one. 'I count my blessings, and I'm grateful every day. I've had, you know, one or two flare-ups, but nothing to the extremity of where I was before,' she says. 'It was very hard adapting when I first woke up from the surgery.' When she began her ostomy education, everything was new. Levitt had to learn about the different supplies, how to care for her peristomal skin, recognize potential issues, and adjust her eating habits. Over time, however, she discovered she could still do normal things like swim, shower, bathe, and even have a healthy sex life. Now, as an advocate, she shares this knowledge to help others see that life with an ostomy is still full and active. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'The concept of feeling completely isolated and alone in that medical condition is so intensified…because I didn't see anything like me out there in the media,' Levitt says. She remembers the challenge of resuming school, getting dressed, and figuring out her new style, wondering how she could ever wear tight jeans or low-waisted pants to fit in with the trends. 'Bikinis. I couldn't even have a conversation about bikinis, because it made me feel so sad,' she recalls. 'It made me feel so discouraged and so different that I felt like I could not wear that.' Levitt felt damaged, and her early teenage years were incredibly difficult as she hid her ostomy completely, telling no one. 'I feared the sounds that my ostomy would make, because sometimes, you know, they could be a symphony, an orchestra, and you can't necessarily control it when you're going poo…it happens,' she says. The crinkling sound of the ostomy bag, like a chip bag due to its medical film, caused her constant anxiety. That fear and shame were amplified by the complete lack of conversation or visibility around ostomies at the time. 'Even when social media did emerge…It was not community-based. It was not storytelling-based. It was not inspirational content. It was not content to cultivate and foster understanding and inclusivity,' Levitt explains. Instead, Levitt says social media was filled with "perfect photoshopped" images of celebrities and influencers. "It was literally like: this is beauty. This is what you want to look like," she says. "This is what you should aspire to be, and none of that was me, and I knew I would never be that.' She struggled with late puberty and feeling out of place by society's beauty standards. Over time, especially in college, she tried to accept her temporary ostomy, using self-motivation to make the best of it, though fear remained. Eventually, her doctors told her she wasn't a candidate for reversal and that a proctectomy would make her ostomy permanent. Levitt has had five surgeries since May 2008, starting with a colostomy that later became an ileostomy. Her final surgery took place in her early 20s. 'I had already lived so much life with my ostomy. In no way was I like, 'Oh, my God! I love my ostomy! I'm using it as an accessory. I'm telling everybody, I'm taking pictures of it,'' she admits. At the time, she had Instagram, but never saw ostomies or Crohn's disease represented. She would only wear bikinis at home, and in photos, she only showed her back. If the front was visible, she always wore a cover-up. Wanting "so badly to just fit in," Levitt recalls editing one of her photos to remove the pouch. "The picture is so botched, but I literally photoshopped my entire stomach," she says. "It just looks like a big black shadow on my stomach where I literally photoshop out the bag." 'I literally just captioned it, I think, like 'Pool Side' because I wanted that admiration. And I wanted that infatuation. And I wanted that, you know, attention, that guys and other people were giving to other beautiful ladies, because I felt like I wasn't worthy of it," she explains. Despite desperately wanting to feel accepted, when doctors told her that her rectum hadn't improved over the years and needed to be removed, it was clear that she had to choose survival. 'It is one of the most intense surgeries for an ostomate to hear, because it means, you know, bag life is the rest of your life,' she shares. Levitt wasn't sure when she'd fully embrace her journey, but that became her goal, and it marked a new phase. In 2019, she went on a family vacation to Cuba that changed her life. 'I did a very courageous thing, and I told my dad that I was going to pack nothing but bikinis. He had asked me, 'Are you sure you're going to do that? Like you're going to be in public?'' she recalls. 'I was like, 'You know what, Daddy. It's a new country. I'm not going to know anybody. I'm not going to see anybody I know.' ' On the beach trip, she walked around with her ostomy bag visible, though she still instinctively kept her arm in front to cover it. After returning, she started opening up to more friends and partners. By age 28, she had lived most of her life with an ostomy. She'd started a fitness journey, felt strong mentally and physically, and was building a life she truly enjoyed. However, the constant pressure of hiding her ostomy bag and having to explain it became exhausting. Whether it was worrying about the bag showing through leggings, filling up at the wrong time, or being noticed at a bikini party, there was always anxiety. She reached a point where she just wanted to live fully and authentically, without hiding. In summer 2023, Levitt booked another trip to Cuba and, once again, only packed bikinis. But this time around, she was headed on a solo trip. Though still private on social media, she felt a clear shift from her last visit – walking the beach with full confidence and even handling a bag leak calmly and without shame. That trip marked a turning point. For every cover-up or back-facing photo she took, she also snapped ones showing the bag. As she looked through them, she felt a new urge: to post them and finally share her story openly. 'I want to share my story. I have nothing to hide and I want to just be able to be myself,' she recalls thinking. 'I look at myself, and I'm like, wow, I see strength. I see beauty. I'm no longer just looking at the bag and feeling like the bag defines me and defines my level of beauty standard.' She kept her ostomy hidden for nearly her entire life, but after returning from her trip, inspired by the photos she took, Levitt felt ready to share. On her 29th birthday, in September 2023, she posted the photos and shared her story publicly for the first time. 'I never had a goal of, I guess, becoming like a model and a creator and an advocate, and all of that. I just wanted so badly to just be myself,' she says. 'I never thought I would even have the level of confidence and inner strength that I do now, literally today being able to post pictures with filled bags, being able to literally explain what an ostomy is." Over the last year and a half, she began to fully embrace it, and her style became a form of self-expression. What once was all high-waisted clothing meant to hide the bag, shifted into fashion choices that reflected who she truly was – bold, confident, and unapologetic. 'I had completely omitted all these other styles. Sheer dresses, low-waisted sweatpants, low-waisted jeans…I would never even look at them,' she says. 'Now it's all that I want to wear.' Levitt named her ostomy bag "Liv" – Swedish for 'life' – a symbol of everything she reclaimed. When she first shared her photos, she tagged ostomy and Crohn's communities, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It helped her realize she wasn't alone, and that connection became a powerful source of confidence and healing. Despite the occasional negativity, she continues to share, knowing that visibility creates change. 'I always say, for all the negative comments, I like proving them wrong, and I like tearing down those ideologies and putting out the right ones and using them to be able to foster awareness,' she explains. 'I'm so proud, and I'm so humbled that I have been able to develop this confidence and this strength through my journey, and be able to be that voice for me and my community.' Levitt has learned to look past comments like 'TMI' or 'no man will want you.' She tells PEOPLE: 'I laugh in the face of things that I once feared. Humor has been extremely healing for me.' For years, hiding her ostomy and not talking about it led to deep disconnection and shame, made worse by the lack of community, exposure, and representation. The real turning point came when she shared her story publicly and saw others like her, speaking openly and building connections. 'I get messages from people being like 'I'm not scared about getting an ostomy, because I see the life that you're living, and I know I can have a normal one.' Or 'I wore a bikini for the first time, and it felt so liberating,'' Levitt reveals. 'These messages go to prove the positive impact that social media and community and interaction, and sharing your story can have on other people's lives.' Now, her Instagram feed is filled with ostomy content – a reflection of the strong, supportive community she's found and helped build, as well as how far she has come. 'Whenever I do a runway or a photo shoot, you know I have my community on my shoulders. I have little me in my heart,' Levitt says. 'If little me saw me in the Maxim Australia magazine, walking New York fashion week, walking Miami swim week…she'd be like, 'Oh, my God, I'm gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay.' ' Although conversations around human waste naturally make people uncomfortable, Levitt has chosen to embrace it fully, knowing firsthand what both sides of that journey feel like. Luckily, she has been in remission from Crohn's for nearly five years, meaning it's currently inactive and well-managed, though incurable and always present, with the risk of future flares at any time. 'I know what it's like to live in fear and live, not feeling like me," she shares. "[To] be in a body that feels like it was robbed, and you know, not want to go about my days." 'I also know what it's like to live in a body that's different, and love it so much and own it and literally live my life completely out loud, and do every single thing that I want to do for me.' Read the original article on People
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rock singer forced to cancel tour on ‘doctor's orders' due to chronic disease
AN award-winning guitarist and singer has cancelled his European tour dates on "doctor's orders". Laurence Jones, who has been dubbed the heir to Eric Clapton by none other than blues legend Buddy Guy, lives with Crohn's disease and, in a candid video, told fans a flare up has forced him to take time off stage. 3 3 Sharing his news on Instagram, he said: 'I am devastated to announce I have had some test results back for my Crohn's disease that mean I am unable to travel outside of the UK. 'The stress on my body from the long journeys and travelling has taken its toll on my body. My specialist has asked I stay in England in case I need emergency treatment/surgery. 'My Crohn's is so severely inflamed I need to be in constant contact with my specialist and amazing IBD team at St Thomas' Hospital London. 'I'm so sad I won't be able to perform in The Netherlands & Germany this year. I will be back fighting fit and can't wait to see you all again on the road. 'Thank you for all your support and understanding. It's what's helped me through this really difficult and challenging time in my life. Love LJ.' Laurence, whose guitar hero is Irish six-string wizard Rory Gallagher, has his own line with Fender. He recently got to hang out with The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and they bonded over their mutual admiration for Gallagher. Around the same time, he was forced to cancel a show in Ireland celebrating his musical idol as he struggled with a flare-up. However, he is eyeing a return to the stage in October for a run of UK shows beginning in Basingstoke on the 4th. Despite his struggles, Laurence has had memorable gigs this year, calling one May show in the Netherlands one of the best of his career. Unfortunately, the highs have been counterbalanced by lows, with the musician saying this year has been "the most challenging year of my life". He added: "My plan is to have a healthy balance in life with work, food and happiness! I can start to slowly put some weight back on with my infusion and get stronger." 3 What is Crohn's disease? CROHN's disease is a lifelong condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which, along with ulcerative colitis, affects almost half a million people in the UK. Symptoms usually start in childhood, but the disease affects people of all ages. These include: Diarrhoea Stomach aches and cramps Blood in your poo Tiredness (fatigue) Weight loss There is no cure, but treatment can help reduce or control symptoms. Some people take medication to lessen inflammation in the digestive system, while others might have surgery to remove a small area. The exact cause is unknown, but genes, problems with your immune system, smoking, stomach bugs and gut bacteria imbalances are believed to play a part. Source: NHS
Medical News Today
7 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Foods to avoid while receiving Stelara
Stelara has no known food interactions, but diet is still an important part of symptom management for the conditions the drug is a brand-name drug that doctors prescribe to treat certain autoimmune conditions, including:plaque psoriasis in certain adults and children ages 6 years and olderpsoriatic arthritis in adults and children ages 6 years and olderCrohn's disease in adultsulcerative colitis in adultsWhile Stelara doesn't interact with any foods, certain foods may affect the conditions Stelara treats or help with the drug's side effects.»Learn more about Stelara, including it's uses and to avoid while receiving StelaraThere are no reports of Stelara interacting with certain foods and beverages can increase inflammation in your body. This can trigger symptoms of the conditions you're receiving Stelara to treat. Examples of these foods and beverages include:Processed foods: Processed foods, such as prepackaged snacks or meals, link to a higher risk of autoimmune foods: A 2023 research review showed a link between sugar consumption and psoriasis flare-ups. A diet high in sugary foods, such as candy, cookies, cake, and drinks, is likely to worsen symptoms of conditions caused by or fatty foods: Foods high in saturated and trans fat, such as fried foods, processed snacks, and fatty meats, can also increase While there's no interaction between alcohol and Stelara, alcohol may worsen symptoms of the condition you're receiving Stelara to treat.»Learn more about drugs and vaccines that interact with tips for managing the side effects of StelaraSome common side effects reported in Stelara's studies include:nauseavomitingabdominal paindiarrheaAvoiding or eating certain foods may help with managing these side example, if you're experiencing diarrhea, eating foods high in soluble fiber, such as bananas, oatmeal, and rice, may be helpful to thicken the stool. On the other hand, it may be best to limit creamy, fried, high dairy, and sugary foods, as these can worsen you're experiencing vomiting while receiving Stelara, eating smaller meals throughout the day, instead of three large meals, may be helpful. You also may want to avoid spicy hydrated is also important to help manage these digestive side you have questions about managing Stelara's side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.»Learn more about side effects of Stelara doesn't interact with food, certain foods, including sugary foods, may increase the risk of symptoms of the condition you're receiving the drug to may also need to avoid or eat certain foods to help manage the digestive side effects of with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about foods and Stelara.
Health Line
04-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Biologics for Crohn's Disease: 6 Ways They May Benefit You
If other treatments haven't worked for you, biologics may be worth considering for managing Crohn's disease. In certain instances, they can be an excellent treatment option. As someone living with Crohn's disease, you've likely heard about biologics. These are a type of prescription drug administered via an injection or intravenous (IV) drip. They manage inflammation by blocking certain proteins or chemical pathways. You may have thought about trying them yourself. Here are six reasons this advanced type of treatment may be helpful for you and what you may want to consider. Your Crohn's isn't responding to traditional treatments Perhaps you've been taking different Crohn's disease medications, such as steroids and immunomodulators, for a while now. However, you're still having flare-ups several times a year. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines strongly recommend taking a biologic agent if you have moderate to severe Crohn's disease that's resistant to steroids or immunomodulatory therapy. Your doctor may also consider combining a biologic with an immunomodulator, even if you haven't tried those drugs separately yet. You have a new diagnosis Traditionally, treatment plans for Crohn's disease involved a step-up approach. Less expensive drugs, like steroids, were tried first, while more expensive biologics were a last resort. More recently, guidelines have suggested a top-down approach with a new diagnosis. This is when stronger drugs are tried first, as evidence has pointed to better results when biologic treatments are started right after diagnosis. A 2021 review of 31 trials found that for people with moderate to severe Crohn's disease, the combination of a biologic drug (infliximab) with a non-biologic drug (azathioprine) had the most promising results for managing symptoms. The 2025 ACG guidelines also recommend the combination of both drugs over either individually. You experience a complication known as fistulas Fistulas are abnormal connections between body parts. In Crohn's disease, a fistula can occur when an ulcer extends through your intestinal wall, which connects your intestine and skin, or your intestine and another organ. If a fistula becomes infected, it can be life threatening. If you have a fistula, your doctor may prescribe biologics known as TNF inhibitors because they're so effective. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved biologics specifically to treat Crohn's disease with fistulas and to maintain fistula closure. You want to maintain remission Corticosteroids are known to bring about remission but aren't able to maintain that remission. If you've been taking steroids for 3 months or longer, your doctor may suggest you try a biologic instead. Clinical studies show that anti-TNF biologics are able to maintain remission in people with moderately severe Crohn's disease. Researchers note that the benefits of these drugs in maintaining remission generally outweigh the risks for most people. Dosing may only be once per month The thought of an injection may be scary, but after the initial few doses, most biologics are administered only once every two months. This may be once every month if your condition does not respond. However, it may be reassuring to know that the needle is very small, and the medication is injected just under your skin. Most biologics are also offered in the form of an auto-injector, which means you can get the injections without ever seeing a needle. You can even give yourself certain biologics at home after you're trained properly on how to do so. Some self-administered biologics may need to be given biweekly, such as Humira and Entyvio. They may have fewer side effects than steroids Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or budesonide, work by suppressing the entire immune system. Biologics, on the other hand, work in a more selective way by targeting specific proteins in your immune system that are proven to be associated with Crohn's inflammation. As they are more precise, they typically have fewer side effects than corticosteroids. However, almost all drugs carry the risk of side effects. For biologics, the most common side effects are related to how they're administered. You might experience minor irritation, redness, pain, or a reaction at the site of injection. There's also a slightly higher risk of infection, but the risk is not as high as with other drugs, such as corticosteroids. »MORE: What to know about switching to biologics Biologics safety The first biologic for Crohn's disease was approved in 1998, so biologics have quite a bit of experience and safety testing to show for themselves. You may be hesitant to try a biologic because you heard they were 'strong' drugs, or you're concerned about the high costs. However, while biologics are considered a more aggressive treatment option, they're also more targeted drugs, and they work very well. Unlike some older treatments for Crohn's disease that weaken the whole immune system, biologic drugs target specific inflammatory proteins known to be involved in Crohn's disease. In contrast, corticosteroid drugs suppress your entire immune system. However, you'll still want to consider all side effects and discuss with your doctor whether biologics are the best option for you. Choosing a biologic Before biologics, there were few treatment options aside from surgery for people with severe Crohn's disease. Now, there are several options: adalimumab (Humira, Exemptia) certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) infliximab (Remicade, Remsima, Inflectra) natalizumab (Tysabri) ustekinumab (Stelara) vedolizumab (Entyvio) risankizumab (Skyrizi) guselkumab (Tremfya) You'll have to work with your insurance company to find out whether a particular biologic is covered under your plan. Takeaway Biologic medications are targeted treatment options for Crohn's disease and other autoimmune conditions. They are typically strong but effective and may have fewer side effects than some other traditional treatments. However, like with all drugs, there are things you'll want to consider to determine if this option is right for you. Certain factors may mean this type of treatment is suitable for you, but it'll depend on your specific circumstances. Speaking with your doctor can help you figure out if biologics are a good option.
Medscape
03-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Ileal Resection Tied to Higher CRC Risk in Crohn's Disease
TOPLINE: Patients with Crohn's disease who undergo terminal ileum resection have a significantly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal polyps than those who do not undergo resection. METHODOLOGY: Up to 70% of patients with Crohn's disease undergo ileocecal resection, which increases colonic bile acid flux exposure and potentially promotes induction of tumorigenic pathways. However, the direct impact of terminal ileum resection on CRC risk in Crohn's disease remains uncertain. Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study (2005-2024) using U.S. electronic health record data from adults with Crohn's disease to assess the association between terminal ileum resection and CRC risk. The primary outcome was the risk for CRC in patients with and without terminal ileum resection. Secondary outcomes included the risk for CRC based on biologics use and colonic involvement, and risk for benign colonic polyps. TAKEAWAY: Researchers included 13,617 patients with Crohn's disease who underwent terminal ileum resection (mean age, 39.5 years; 51.3% female) and an equal number of matched controls without resection. Terminal ileum resection was associated with a significantly higher risk for CRC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.58; P < .001), which was consistent in both men (aHR, 4.23; P < .001) and women (aHR, 2.43; P < .01). Elevated CRC risk persisted regardless of colonic involvement (P < .01). CRC risk did not significantly differ between patients who received biologic therapy and those who were biologic naive. Patients with resection also had a higher risk for nonmalignant colonic polyps (aHR, 1.11; P < .01), which was consistent in both men and women (P < .01 for both). IN PRACTICE: "Our findings highlight the need to reassess CRC surveillance strategies in patients with [Crohn's disease] post-[terminal ileum] resection. While current guidelines focus on inflammation-related risk, our results suggest that surgical history itself is an independent risk factor," the authors concluded. SOURCE: This study was led by Inas Mikhail, MD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, and Omar Al Ta'ani, MD, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was published online in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design may introduce biases related to reporting, selection, and follow-up. Residual confounding factors may have persisted despite propensity score matching. Due to a lack of data on bile acid profile and inflammatory burden, it could not be determined whether dysregulation of bile acids was directly involved in CRC risk. DISCLOSURES: This study authors reported no specific funding or conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
