Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.
Websites
www.gutscharity.org.uk/irritable-bowel-syndrome
www.patientwebinars.co.uk/ibsCoeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your gut (small intestine) so your body cannot properly take in nutrients.
Coeliac disease can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.
Websites
www.nhs.uk/coeliac-disease
www.gutscharity.org.uk/coeliac-disease
www.patientwebinars.co.uk/coeliac-diseaseInflammatory Bowel Disease (Colitis)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for two conditions (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Prolonged inflammation results in damage to the GI tract.
Websites
www.gutscharity.org.uk/crohns-disease
www.nhs.uk/crohns-disease
www.gutscharity.org.uk/culcerative-colitis
www.nhs.uk/ulcerative-colitisDiverticular Disease
A diverticulum is a small out-pouching from the wall of the gut. They can develop on any part of the gut but most often in the large bowel (colon) on the left side. They tend to be multiple and this is called diverticulosis. If they cause symptoms then this is known as diverticular disease and if they become infected or inflamed this is called diverticulitis.
Websites
www.nhs.uk/diverticular-disease-and-diverticulitisChronic Constipation
Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool.
Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause.
Websites
www.nhs.uk/constipation
www.patientwebinars.co.uk/constipationBowel Cancer Screening
If you are aged between 60 and 74 you will automatically be sent an NHS bowel screening (FIT test) kit every 2 years. The programme is expanding to include 50 – 59 year olds.
Always see a GP if you have symptoms of bowel cancer at any age, even if you have recently completed a NHS bowel cancer screening test.
Website
NHS information – Bowel cancer screening
Digestion
Page published: 22 November 2023
Last updated: 29 August 2024