National Crohn’s and Colitis Week: Normalising those important conversations with Dr Rafeeq
We’re marking National Crohn’s and Colitis Week (1-7 December) by raising awareness and education on chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, so that those with diseases such Crohn’s and ulcerative Colitis do not have to face these challenges alone. Raising awareness helps us to combat stigmas surrounding incurable inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and Colitis, by opening up the conversation and addressing the challenges faced. Dr Rafeeq Muhammed , Lead Clinician and Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, at our Children’s Hospital’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) unit kindly spoke with us, sharing knowledge on IBD’s and the support that is available for children and adults across the UK. ]
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis gastrointestinal disorders and are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which is often very rarely seen in children. Symptoms include weight loss, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers and diarrhoea. The difference between Crohn’s and Colitis is that Colitis affects the large intestine, whereas Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal system. Both illnesses can be incredibly uncomfortable, and it is important that we reduce the stigmas around talking about the discomfort, so that those with Crohn’s and Colitis don’t suffer in silence.
Our Children’s Hospital operates the largest paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease unit in the UK and across Europe, where approximately 400 children under the age of 16 receive care for both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis (250 patients with Crohn’s disease and 150 patients with ulcerative Colitis). Overall, our Inflammatory Bowel Disease services diagnose an average of 120 new patients with IBD every year at our Children’s Hospital, with the help paediatric gastroenterologists, paediatric surgeons, IBD and stoma nurse specialists, radiologists, histopathologists, dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, youth workers and play specialist colleagues.
Dr Rafeeq said: “Crohn’s disease and Colitis can be spotted early with a series of blood test and stool samples, so that we can refer children to our specialist gastroenterology centres. If you feel your child or you yourself may have an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s or Colitis, we encourage that reach out to your GP. 
“Even though these illnesses are challenging at times, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to talk about it and make people aware that you are suffering from a chronic illness. Your identity is not your illness and we hope to create a sense of community at our Children’s Hospital where parents and children can keep having those important conversations, to make people aware on how best to navigate day-to-day life with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative Colitis.”
We’d like to say a big thank you to Dr Rafeeq and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease team for sharing kind and informative words for National Crohn’s and Colitis Week. For more information on Crohn’s and Colitis, you can visit the Crohn’s and Colitis UK website here. https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis