Cut to the gut

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Crohn’s disease is a long-term, incurable condition where the gut becomes inflamed. Ulcerative colitis is also a long-term condition where the colon – the large intestine – and the rectum become inflamed.

The exact cause of Crohn’s and colitis is unknown, but it is thought to be linked to a problem with the immune system. Symptoms vary, but they can be debilitating for sufferers, especially during flare-ups.

This year, for Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week (1-7 December 2025), Crohn’s & Colitis UK want to shed light on the stark realities for sufferers.

An invisible illness

“For Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week this year, Crohn’s & Colitis UK will be talking about what it really feels like to live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD),” says Jess Turner, head of health services at Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

“IBD isn’t just about the painful symptoms, the hospital trips and taking countless medications. It’s also about how it makes you feel every day as you live with an invisible illness.”

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Stomach pain
• Pain in the bottom
• Feeling very tired or generally unwell
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• In children; not growing as expected, or delayed puberty.

Many people may ignore these symptoms for a period of time, believing them to be just a stint. This is largely due to many people not knowing the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis, which further delays diagnosis and treatment to manage symptoms.

“Whether that’s worrying when to tell your date about your diagnosis, navigating the stress of starting a new job, or simply getting that feeling of missing out while you’re recovering from life-changing surgery, we know that living with Crohn’s or Colitis comes with a whole lot of feelings. We know that the public, and society as a whole, need to understand more about that,” says Jess.

“That’s why, for Awareness Week this year, we’ll be unravelling those feelings and bringing them to the surface, one voice at a time. We’ll be talking about how IBD really feels: with real feelings, from real people who are living with these conditions.”

Know the signs

The more that pharmacy teams are educated on the symptoms, diagnosis process – which could include tests such as a colonoscopy, endoscopy or gastroscopy; a sample of gut tissue being taken (biopsy); or scans like a MRI scan, CT scan or ultrasound scan –  and treatment options for people with Crohn’s and Colitis, the quicker customers can receive answers and take control of their wellbeing.

While there is no single test to diagnose the conditions, as the symptoms vary and are similar to other conditions, recognising the possibility is a crucial first step.

When it comes to something like Crohn’s and Colitis, the process can be slowed down further due to customers’ shyness in discussing their symptoms.

“We know that one of the first ports of call for people who are worried about their health is the pharmacy. Someone might be reluctant to go and see their GP at first, but it could be that they feel more comfortable popping into the local pharmacy to ask for some advice,” explains Jess.

To help with that, Crohn’s & Colitis UK have a range of resources on their website (see boxout) which may be helpful to pharmacy teams.

“One of the things we would encourage pharmacy teams to direct people to is our handy symptom checker. It’s very easy to find on our website and takes just 30 seconds to complete,” says Jess.

“The questions are straightforward and there’s some great guidance on when to see a GP and how best to describe your symptoms.”

On the other hand, the pharmacy team can also hugely support their customers who have already been diagnosed with Crohn’s or Colitis, who for the most part will be taking regular prescription medicine to help manage their symptoms.

“They’re likely to visit the pharmacy regularly, and having a good relationship with a knowledgeable pharmacy team will help patients feel supported as they navigate the challenges of dealing with a lifelong condition,” adds Jess. 

When to refer

To a GP:

• If customers think they have Crohn’s disease
• If customers have Crohn’s disease, and report worsening symptoms or ineffective treatments.

To NHS 111 (or ask for an urgent GP appointment):

• If stool is black or dark red
• If customers experience bloody diarrhoea.