Coping with...INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

These auto-immune conditions affect the lower bowel

- Doctor Gill

The two main types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is vastly different to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although symptoms may be similar.

Main IBD symptoms include diarrhoea lasting several weeks, abdominal pain, passing blood or mucus (slime), bleeding from the bottom, tiredness and losing weight without trying. The cause is unclear, but it's your immune system attacking your bowel, causing inflammation. It's probably linked to a mix of genetic and environmental factors (such as germs, diet, smoking or stress), and affects about one in 123 people in the UK, especially those with a family history.

IBD can start at any age, usually before you're 30. If you have these symptoms, see your GP, who'll examine you, do tests then refer you to a specialist for further investigation and treatment. Everyone is different: some feel mostly well, others have more persistent symptoms.

The overactive immune system can cause other problems, such as swollen joints, mouth ulcers and inflamed eyes. Crohn's can affect all gut layers from mouth to anus. Ulcerative colitis only affects the inner colon layers, causing large bowel inflammation and ulcers, although it can be as serious.