Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a condition that causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the rectum and colon (the large bowel). In UC, ulcers develop on the surface of the lining and these may bleed and produce mucus. The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may affect the entire colon. If UC only affects the rectum, it is called proctitis, while if it affects the whole colon it may be called pancolitis.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system or gut. Crohn’s can affect any part of the gut, though the most commmon area affected is the end of the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) or the colon. The areas of inflammation are often patchy with sections of normal gut in between. A patch of inflammation may be small, only a few centimeters, or extend quite a distance along part of the gut. As well as affecting the lining of the bowel, Crohn’s may also go deeper into the bowel wall.

Managing a flare

A relapse of IBD is often called a flare. If a bowel habit has been settled but begins to change, it might be that IBD is becoming active.

• Have you been going to the toilet more than 5 times in 24 hours?
• Are your stools loose, or have you had diarrhoea with blood or mucus for more than 3 days?
• Have you had abdominal pain?

If you have had any of these symptoms you should be assessed as soon as possible.

See self-management for ulcerative colitis relapse.