In this Article:
01: Symptoms of IBD02: Diagnosis of IBD03: What causes IBD?04: Treating Crohn's disease05: Living with Crohn’s disease06: Treating ulcerative colitis 07: Living with ulcerative colitis08:Symptoms of IBD
The main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can include:
Diarrhoea that lasts longer than 4 weeks (explore options for diarrhoea relief)
Stomach ache
Blood or mucus (clear slime) in your poo
Bleeding from your bottom
Feeling tired all the time
Unintentional weight loss
See a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Diarrhoea that lasts more than 7 days
Bloating or a stomach ache that keeps coming back
You have blood or mucus (clear slime) in your poo
You’ve been losing a lot of weight without trying
Diagnosis of IBD
To diagnose Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis a doctor may recommend blood tests, a sample of poo (stool sample) or other hospital procedures or scans. Early diagnosis is key to managing IBD effectively and preventing complications.
What causes IBD?
The exact causes of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are unknown, but they occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks your bowel, leading to chronic inflammation. You're more likely to get IBD if one of your close relatives, such as a parent, grandparent or sibling has the condition.
Treating Crohn's disease
There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatments can help control your symptoms and reduce inflammation. The main treatments are:
Medicines to reduce inflammation – usually steroid tablets
Medicines to stop the inflammation coming back – either tablets or injections
Surgery to remove a small part of the digestive system – sometimes this may be a better treatment option than medicines
Living with Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease can affect your daily life, with flare-ups and medical check-ups sometimes making work, school and social activities difficult. But if symptoms are well controlled, many people can still live a full and active life. If you have Crohn's disease, some medications may worsen your symptoms. Always speak with a pharmacist or a doctor for advice before taking a medication. Support is available from your care team and organisations like Crohn's & Colitis UK that can offer help and advice when you need it.
Treating ulcerative colitis
Treatment for ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms during a flare-up and prevent symptoms from returning. In most people, this is achieved by taking medicine, such as amino salicylates, steroids or immunosuppressants.
Mild to moderate flare-ups – often treated at home with prescribed medication
Severe flare-ups – may require hospital treatment for closer monitoring and stronger therapies
Surgery – if medicines are not effective at controlling your symptoms or your quality of life is significantly affected by your condition, removing some or all of your bowel (colon) may be an option
Living with ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition, but with the right treatment and care many people lead full and active lives. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and keeping a food diary can help identify trigger foods – though major dietary changes should be discussed with your care team. Stress management, exercise and support networks may help reduce flare-ups. Your mental health may also be affected, so if you experience anxiety or depression, seek support from organisations like Crohn's & Colitis UK or a doctor. Regular bowel cancer screening is recommended (browse tests for bowel cancer screening). If you're considering pregnancy, most women living with ulcerative colitis have healthy pregnancies, but getting symptoms under control beforehand is advised. Some medications may need adjusting so be sure to speak with your care team.
