IBD, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: what should I know?

Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and may involve patches of inflammation. Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the large bowel, beginning in the rectum and extending continuously to varying distances. Both can present with diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urgency, tiredness and reduced appetite. Symptoms alone cannot reliably distinguish them, and other bowel conditions can look similar.

Arrange a GP Consultation for persistent diarrhoea, recurring abdominal pain, blood or mucus in the stool, or unexplained tiredness. Your clinician may review your history, examine your abdomen and arrange blood or stool tests. Further assessment may involve a specialist and examination of the bowel. Keep notes on stool frequency, urgency, pain, bleeding, food tolerance and weight changes to make the consultation more useful.

Get urgent medical advice for severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, heavy bleeding, black stools, fever with severe illness, faintness or inability to drink. A sudden worsening of diarrhoea with dehydration also needs prompt attention. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you feel acutely unwell.

Which features point toward Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or another cause? What tests should come first? How will results affect treatment? Do I need specialist referral or future Colorectal Cancer Screening?