How much do you know about Crohn's Disease?

The Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn's Disease (ISCC) is running a new campaign which would provide free bathroom passes for people with these conditions, allowing them to avoid queueing to use a public toilet.

Professor Colm O'Morain is a Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Trinity College and Medical Patron of the ISCC. He explained a bit more about how these conditions affect patients.

"Diarrhoea is a major symptom and can be very urgent. People are often embarrassed by it."

"There are at least 40,000 sufferers of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. We don't have a cure, but we do know how to control the symptoms."

The cause of these conditions is unknown, but Colm says there may be a genetic predisposition. It could also have something to do with the Western diet, as people in this part of the world are the most commonly affected.

Dianne McGahern was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2003. She describes it as "a huge shock - there were no incidences of it in my family whatsoever."

"I'm on medication which has kept it relatively under control for the last few years. I have to be aware of stress and be very careful with my diet. I have to be prepared, plan ahead, know where the toilets are and never be too far from one."

Dianne says having a bathroom pass has made a big difference, and that most people have been very understanding. Being involved with the ISCC has also helped her to become more open about her condition.

"Initially I wouldn’t have talked about it, but by meeting other people with it I got comfortable talking about it."

Colm adds that if people are experiencing symptoms like diarrhoea which disrupts their daily life, they should get them seen to by their doctor as soon as possible.

The ISCC's helpline is (01) 5312983