Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week

Charity Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland (CCI) are calling on the public to be aware of the lesser-known symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis as part of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2022 (December 1-7).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) describes a group of conditions in which the intestines or anywhere along the digestive tract can become inflamed. The two most common inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

CCI are calling on the public to speak with their GP if they are experiencing symptoms such as mouth ulcers, weight loss, fatigue or tiredness, blisters in eyes, blood when wiping after going to the toilet or in the toilet bowl.

There are over 40,000 people in Ireland diagnosed with IBD, but Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland believe many more could be living with the illness undiagnosed.

Head of Communications and Fundraising, Amy Kelly, says: “IBD is a lifelong, autoimmune condition that can be debilitating for so many. This Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness week, we are calling on the public to get checked if they are experiencing symptoms on our list, as it can sometimes take years to get diagnosed or, unfortunately, an all too common traumatic admission through A&E, and this is something we want to change.”

Speaking about her own diagnosis, Amy said: “ In 2019, I had to go to A&E as my symptoms had reached an unbearable level, I ended up having a perforation (a hole) on my small intestine with abscess either side and fluid leaking into my abdomen. I was told I was the sickest person in A&E that night, but to look at me from the outside you wouldn’t think I was that sick.”

Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis can happen at any age with the peak age of incidence being between the ages of 15 and 35, and a second smaller peak from the 50s to 70s. IBD affects men and women equally.

Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland provide a helpline which provides individual support, information and guidance on Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. This service is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30am – 12:30pm on (01) 531 2983 or info@crohnscolitis.ie

FURTHER DETAILS

To learn more about the full list of IBD symptoms, visit http://crohnscolitis.ie/facts/ibd-symptoms/