NHS warns common symptoms could be sign of condition 25,000 Brits get every year

Brits have been warned to look out several warning signs of conditions that affect thousands of Brits. Around 25,000 people are diagnosed with either Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis every year in the UK - both of which trigger inflammation of the digestive system.

Sufferers can have periods of good health, but will experience flare-ups when symptoms are more active. Brits have been told to consult a GP if they have diarrhoea which lasts for more than seven days, stomach pain or bloating that won’t go away or keeps coming back, blood or mucus in their poo, or experienced weight loss without trying.

A new tweet from the NHS reads: “Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases that can cause gut inflammation and painful ulcers. Symptoms can mimic other conditions, so don’t self-diagnose. See your GP if you're worried.”

Treatment for the conditions can include steroids to ease the symptoms, along with surgery to remove part of the below if the condition is severe enough. Less common symptoms include a high temperature, feeling sick and being sick, joint pain and swelling, inflammation and irritation of the eyes and mouth ulcers.

Earlier this year, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended a new drug for adults with moderately or severely active Crohn’s. It is the first of its kind to specifically target IL-23 - a major cytokine that drives inflammation in Crohn's disease.

NHS GP Dr Sami hailed its approval, saying on TikTok: "It can really impact on work and family life, so by blocking IL-23, Mirikizumab helps reduce inflammation allowing the bowel to heal.” As a consequence, he believes sufferers are likely to experience less pain and bloating, less bleeding and more consistent - and potentially fewer patients requiring bowel surgery and stomas.

Dr Sami went on: "Many showed visible bowel healing on endoscopy. Like all biologics, mirikizumab can increase the risk of infections and may cause mild side effects like headaches, cold symptoms, or raised liver tests - so it’s prescribed under specialist supervision."

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week runs from Monday, December 1, to Sunday, December 7. Find out more at crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/