Between 30,000 and 40,000 people in Belgium suffer from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
This Tuesday 22 October marks National IBD Day. Patient associations CCV and Crohn-RCUH have joined forces with the Belgian IBD Research and Development Group (Bird) to call for greater attention to be given to patients and the challenges they face.
IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), causes chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue and weight loss.
One of the most underestimated symptoms is bowel urgency, which is the sudden and immediate need to use the toilet.
"Though this symptom is common and significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, it is often poorly discussed and recognised in clinical practice, creating a gap in understanding between patients, their families, and healthcare professionals," the organisations explain.
Common symptoms with difficult effects
Testimonies reveal that fear of bowel urgency accidents can lead to social isolation, strain in relationships and even sexual health issues. Psychologists working with IBD patients confirm that these stressful situations also increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and panic disorders.
"To bridge the gap between patients and healthcare professionals, it is essential for the latter to actively address bowel urgency. Hospitals with a specialised IBD nurse can play a crucial role in discussing these intimate symptoms," according to CCV and Crohn-RCUH.
