MP raises awareness of inflammatory bowel disease

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is supporting international Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week – highlighting the impact of living with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis,  the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
These unpredictable diseases affect more than 300,000 people across the UK and as many as 252,000 people in England alone.
National patient charity,  Crohn’s and Colitis UK,  have joined other international groups to raise the awareness and understanding of these complex,  life-long and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Living with IBD can have a huge impact on every aspect of a person’s life, with serious and mental health implications.
Ms Jones said: “ Helping increase understanding as part of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness week is important to me as there will be hundreds Warrington people who suffer from these hidden,  often misunderstood and dreadful conditions.  During awareness week it’s particularly vital that we try and reach out to more people who may be feeling isolated or coping badly with their health.”
Living with IBD can be a daily struggle, some symptoms of the diseases can be embarrassing and that can lead to people suffering without adequate support or feeling isolated.
As part of the Awareness Week, which starts today,  Crohn’s and Colitis UK are asking people to share their seven days of IBD and other activity through digital and social media to highlight what it is like to live with IBD every day.
To find out more about the awareness week and all the activities visit www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/awarenessweek
Lifelong chronic conditions,  Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis,  collectively known as IBD,  can cause urgent and frequent diarrhoea,  rectal bleeding,  pain,  profound fatigue and anaemia.  In some patients,  there is an associated inflammation of the joints,  skin,  liver or eyes.  Malnutrition and weight loss are common,  particularly in Crohn’s Disease.