What should you know about uc and crohn s disease?

Ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining of the large bowel and commonly causes diarrhoea, urgency and blood or mucus in the stool. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and may involve deeper layers of the bowel, with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight change or tiredness. Symptoms can overlap, so symptoms alone cannot tell them apart.

Inflammation may flare and then settle. A clinician considers your history, examination, stool symptoms and test results. A Blood Test can show signs such as anaemia or inflammation, but it cannot by itself distinguish every bowel condition.

Arrange a GP Consultation for persistent diarrhoea, recurring Abdominal Pain, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or ongoing fatigue. Keep a record of stool frequency, urgency, visible blood, pain, food changes, medicines and travel. Continue fluids and choose foods you tolerate while waiting for advice; avoid starting restrictive diets without guidance.

Assessment may involve blood or stool testing and, when needed, specialist review. Treatment depends on the location and activity of inflammation and your wider health.

Seek urgent help for heavy rectal bleeding, severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, high fever or inability to keep fluids down. Contact a clinician promptly for persistent blood in stool, worsening diarrhoea or signs of dehydration.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest inflammatory bowel disease, which tests are appropriate, how to manage fluids and food, which warning signs need urgent help, and when specialist review is needed.