Raising awareness to mark World IBD Day

MEMBERS of the Causeway Hospital's IBD Patient Panel want to raise awareness to mark World IBD Day on Sunday, May 19.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a painful, debilitating disease which affects not only a person's physical health but also their mental health.

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) are the main two forms of IBD. They are lifelong diseases that develop when your immune system starts attacking your gut.

More than 500,000 people in the UK – that's one in every 123 people - are living with Crohn's or Colitis.

Not everyone is affected the same way but the most common symptoms are frequent and urgent diarrhoea, often with blood and mucus; severe pain, extreme fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite and mouth ulcers.

Currently there is no cure for IBD. Medicines and sometimes surgery are used to keep the conditions under control.

* If you think you may be suffering with IBD please contact your GP for initial investigations or check out the Crohn's and Colitis UK website for further information.