IBD: More than a gut feeling

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QUICK LINKS
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Learn about ulcerative colitis
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Learn about Crohn's disease
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Ulcerative Colitis Icon

Finding and treating IBD early can help prevent serious complications and reduce the chance of needing surgery. 1

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of illnesses that cause tummy pain and diarrhoea. These problems last a long time and can come and go. 2
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KNOW THE TYPES

Understanding IBD: Your body under constant pressure

IBD happens when the body’s immune system does not work properly and attacks the lining of the gut. This causes ongoing inflammation and damage. The type of IBD depends on where the inflammation occurs and how severe it is. 3
Learn about the differences:
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Select a type:
Ulcerative colitis
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Crohn's disease
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Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is thought to be an autoimmune disease that causes swelling in your digestive system.4,5
Learn more
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Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a type of IBD that affects any area of the digestive tract between the mouth and the anus.7
Learn more
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IBD SYMPTOMS

Clues your body might be giving you

IBD symptoms aren’t the same for everyone. Symptoms can be mild or strong.6 Common symptoms include:
  • Bowel urgency - a sudden and immediate need to open bowels7
  • Fatigue - tiredness, lack of energy, or exhaustion that doesn't get better with rest2
  • Diarrhoea which lasts longer than 4 weeks2
  • Blood or mucus in stool2
  • Bleeding from your bottom2
  • Stomach pain2
  • Weight loss2
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IMPACTS OF IBD

The many ways IBD affects the body

The gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract is a group of organs that help your body digest food. It starts at your mouth and ends at your bottom. Problems can happen both inside and outside the GI tract.

Possible complications inside the GI tract

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  • Dehydration, which can occur as a result of fluid loss from diarrhoea8
  • Not absorbing enough essential nutrients (malnutrition)9
  • Increased risk of colon and rectal cancers9
  • Fistula (when a connection forms between two organs)6
  • Strictures (the narrowing or obstruction of the bowel)6
  • Dehydration
  • Not absorbing enough essential nutrients
  • Increased risk of colon and rectal cancers
  • Fistula (when a connection forms between two organs)
  • Strictures (the narrowing or obstruction of the bowel)
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Possible complications outside the GI tract

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  • Low red blood cell count (Anaemia)10
  • Reduced bone density10
  • Joint pain6
  • Skin changes6
  • Eye irritation6
  • Delayed or impaired growth in some children6
  • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Reduced bone density
  • Joint pain
  • Skin changes
  • Eye irritation
  • Delayed or impaired growth in some children
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Mental health impact

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IBD can make daily life harder and may cause feelings like stress, worry, or sadness. If you're feeling that way, talk to your healthcare professional. They can help.11
IBD can make daily life harder and may cause feelings like stress, worry, or sadness. If you're feeling that way, talk to your doctor. They can help.
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DIAGNOSING IBD

Diagnosing IBD starts with a visit to the healthcare professional

If you notice ongoing symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional. They can help find out if you have IBD and decide whether you need further tests or to see a specialist.
STEP 1
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Talk with your healthcare professional

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Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, any medicines you take, your family’s health history, and your daily routine—like what you eat, how active you are, and how stressed you feel. They’ll also do a physical exam.
STEP 2
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Lab tests 12

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To learn more, your healthcare professional may order blood or stool tests.

  • Blood tests check for inflammation, infection, or low iron.
  • Stool tests look for blood, mucus, or other signs of digestive problems.
STEP 3
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Imaging and scoping 6

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Depending on what your healthcare professional finds, they may suggest:

  • A CT or MRI scan to look for inflammation or other issues inside your body.
  • An endoscopy, which uses a tiny camera to look inside your digestive tract.
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Treatment

Living well with IBD

Many people with IBD live active, healthy lives. The key is finding a care plan that works for you—and sticking with it.

  • Work with your healthcare professional: Regular check-ins help your care team adjust treatment and manage symptoms.6
  • Find the right treatment: Your healthcare professional can help choose the best approach to control your IBD.6
  • Eat smart: Track what you eat and avoid foods that make symptoms worse.6
  • Take care of your mental health: Living with IBD can be hard, so it’s important to find support and take care of your emotional well-being.11
/uk/science/clinical-trials

References

  1. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Early Crohn’s disease treatment improves quality of life and could save the NHS millions [Internet]. Cambridge: CUH NHS Foundation Trust; Oct 2024 [accessed 17 Mar 2026].
    Available from: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/news/early-crohns-disease-treatment-save-nhs-millions/
  2. NHS. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [Internet]. London: NHS; May 2023 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/
  3. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): patient information leaflet [Internet]. London: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust; Oct 2025 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/-/media/website/patient-information-leaflets/gastroenterology/inflammatory-bowel-disease.pdf
  4. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Ulcerative colitis [Internet]. St Albans: Crohn’s & Colitis UK; Apr 2025 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/understanding-crohns-and-colitis
  5. NHS. Ulcerative colitis [Internet]. London: NHS; Jan 2024 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/
  6. NHS. Crohn’s disease [Internet]. London: NHS; Feb 2024 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease/
  7. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Bowel incontinence and urgency [Internet]. St Albans: Crohn’s & Colitis UK; Jun 2024 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/symptoms/bowel-incontinence-and-urgency
  8. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Dehydration [Internet]. St Albans: Crohn’s & Colitis UK; Aug 2024 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/symptoms/dehydration
  9. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). Crohn’s disease: complications [Internet]. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; Dec 2023 [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/crohns-disease/background-information/complications/
  10. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. All about Crohn’s and colitis. 8th ed. Crohn’s & Colitis UK; 2019. [accessed 8 May 2026]. Available from: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/qrblfrbo/all-about-crohns-and-colitis-ed-8-a5-booklet.pdf
  11. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Mental health and wellbeing with Crohn’s or Colitis [Internet]. St Albans: Crohn’s & Colitis UK; Jan 2025 [accessed 17 Mar 2026].
    Available from: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/info-support/information-about-crohns-and-colitis/all-information-about-crohns-and-colitis/living-with-crohns-or-colitis/mental-health-and-wellbeing
  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing and diagnosis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CDC; June 21, 2024. [accessed 17 Mar 2026]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/testing/index.html
CMAT-06474 May 2026
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