Our services | Inflammatory bowel diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is divided into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – both cause inflammation in the intestines (bowel).
Symptoms of both conditions include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss and malnutrition.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gut from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the bowel.
IBD occurs when the immune system reacts to bacteria within the bowel causing inflammation to the bowel lining. It can also cause problems outside the digestive system like rashes, arthritis and eye irritation. The condition is thought to be genetically linked and is usually diagnosed in teenagers or people in their fifties.
Treatment
Unfortunately there isn't a cure for Crohn's disease and treatment usually focuses on controlling or improving the symptoms of the condition.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and lifestyle changes are used to control the symptoms.
At Barts and The London, we offer an integrated, multidisciplinary team approach to care for people with IBD of all ages.
Our team includes specialist paediatric, adolescent and adult clinics with specialist clinicians and surgeons. Patients also have access to specialist IBD nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and psychological support. Click here to contact a member of the team.
IBD clinics
The IBD clinics are held on a Tuesday afternoon at The Royal London Hospital and Thursday mornings at both The Royal London and St Bartholomew hospitals.
The adolescent/young person’s clinic is held every other Wednesday morning at The Royal London hospital.
The paediatric IBD clinic is held each Wednesday afternoon at The Royal London Hospital.
You may be referred to the endoscopy unit for tests and treatments. Click here for more information.
Biological therapies
Biological, injection-based therapies are also used to treat conditions like IBD and Crohn’s disease. Clinics take place once a week at The Royal London hospital with specialists available.
Download Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) information.
Useful websites
National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (NACC) www.nacc.org.uk
Crohn's in childhood research Association
CORE (formerly known as Digestive Disorders Foundation)
www.corecharity.org.uk
Colostomy Association
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
IA (The Ileostomy and Internal Pouch Support Group)
PromoCon – information on continence products for children and adults
