What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease are similar. They include:

• pain, swelling or cramping in the tummy
• recurring or bloody diarrhoea
• weight loss
• extreme tiredness

Not everyone has all of these symptoms, and some people may experience additional symptoms, including vomiting, anaemia and high temperature (fever).

The symptoms of IBD can come and go. People may experience periods of severe symptoms (flare-ups), and go through long periods when they have few or no symptoms at all (remission).

Its thought that several factors may play a part, such as:

• genetics there is evidence that you are more likely to develop IBD if you have a close relative with the condition
• disruption to the immune system (the bodys defence against infection) inflammation may be caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissue inside the digestive system while fighting off a virus or bacteria

Treatment aims to relieve symptoms and prevent them from returning.

Mild ulcerative colitis may not need treatment as symptoms can clear up after a few days.

Medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease include:

• aminosalicylates, or in more severe cases, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• immunosuppressants to reduce the activity of the immune system

An estimated 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have severe symptoms that often don't respond to medication. In these cases, it may be necessary to surgically remove an inflamed section of the digestive system.

Around 60-75% of people with Crohns disease will require surgery to repair damage to their digestive system and treat complications of the condition. There are around 146,000 people with ulcerative colitis and 115,000 with Crohn's disease in the UK.

IBD is usually diagnosed in people in their late teens or early 20s, but can affect people of any age.

IBD is more common in white people than in black people or those of Asian origin. People from an Eastern European Jewish background are most likely to be affected by IBD.

Woman and men are equally affected.