IBD often presents with diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or weight loss but may also present with common symptoms in the box above. Presents at any age but mainly teens/twenties. Family history increases risk especially in Crohn’s.
Nocturnal defecation, fevers, night sweats (not to be confused with menopause), enlarged lymph glands, extra intestinal manifestations. Microscopic colitis mainly in women 50+ presents as profuse watery diarrhoea.
Coeliac Disease is undiagnosed in two thirds of cases. It can present in non-specific ways, e.g. persistent or unexplained nausea and vomiting. It may also present with common symptoms in the box above. More likely if family history (first degree relative 1 in 10 risk), history of autoimmune conditions, Down’s/Turner’s syndromes.
Iron deficiency anaemia or B12 or folate deficiency, dermatitis herpetiformis, tooth enamel problems, unexplained subfertility or repeated miscarriages, neurological problems such as ataxia and peripheral neuropathy.
IBS is a longstanding illness with frequent abdominal discomfort and bowel symptoms that cannot be explained by any other disease.
- Usually presents 20-40 years age
- But can be any age
- Slightly more women than men
- Post gastroenteritis
- Can be made worse by emotional stress