
‘It can be life threatening' warns medics over common disorder that affects the digestive system
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The immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Oonagh O'Hagan set up Symprove to support Irish people to achieve good gut health
Credit: StoryLab
And an estimated 40,000 Irish people suffer from IBD.
Crohn's disease affects people of all ages, and the symptoms usually start in
The main symptoms are diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in your poo, fatigue and weight loss.
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The symptoms may be constant or may come and go every few weeks or months.
Ulcerative Colitis directly affects the colon and rectum.
The colon is the large intestine (bowel) and the rectum is the end of the bowel where poo is stored.
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The main symptoms are:
Recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus
Tummy pain
Needing to poo frequently
Lorraine host reveals health update after emergency surgery and having to pull out of live TV hours before going on air
People may also experience extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
IBD is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract.
And despite being chronic and incurable, IBD is not classified as a disability in Ireland.
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CAUSES OF IBD
The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown.
Your genes - you're more likely to get it if a close family member has it
A problem with the immune system (the body's defence against infection)
Smoking
A previous stomach bug
An abnormal balance of gut bacteria
There's no evidence to suggest a particular diet causes Crohn's disease.
And ulcerative colitis is thought to be an autoimmune condition.
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This means the immune system, the body's defence against infection, goes wrong and attacks healthy tissue.
The most popular theory is that the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria inside the colon as a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon, causing it to become inflamed.
Exactly what causes the immune system to behave in this way is unclear but many experts think it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
TREATMENTS AVAILABLE
There's no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatment can help ease or control your symptoms.
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Medicines are the main treatment and may include:
steroids to reduce inflammation - for example, prednisolone
immunosuppressants - if steroids do not help to reduce inflammation
biological medicines - if other medicines do not help
Treatment for ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms during a flare-up and prevent symptoms from returning (maintaining remission).
TREATMENT
In most people, this is achieved by taking medicine, such as:
aminosalicylates (ASAs)
corticosteroids (steroid medicines)
immunosuppressants
Mild to moderate flare-ups can usually be treated at home. But more severe flare-ups need to be treated in hospital.
WORLD IBD DAY
Managing Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, Oonagh O'Hagan, took Symprove to manage her own IBS symptoms.
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Symprove is a digestive health supplement that can provide relief from some of the symptoms of IBD.
Oonagh then set up Symprove Ireland to distribute the supplement to as many outlets as possible across Ireland to support Irish people to achieve good gut
She said: "We are proud to be partnering with Crohn's & Colitis Ireland to mark World IBD Day on Monday, May 19.
"Crohn's & Colitis Ireland does incredibly important work in supporting people who suffer from IBD.
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"And I am looking forward to working with Amy to ensure that IBD sufferers – and those with IBS – know how to manage their conditions as effectively as possible, so they complement their medical treatment with supplements that can significantly relieve their symptoms."
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Amy Kelly is the COO of Crohn's & Colitis Ireland
Credit: StoryLab
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The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown
Credit: Getty Images - Getty

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RTÉ News
27 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Healthcare workers stage Gaza protest march in Dublin
Healthcare workers led hundreds of demonstrators opposing the ongoing war in Gaza in a silent march through Dublin city centre. It was organised by Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, an informal group of more than 500 healthcare workers in Ireland. Dublin-based GP and Medical Director of Safetynet, Dr Angy Skuce, said it was their largest demonstration to date. She believes many were motivated to join today's silent protest, because people are now "watching the slow starvation of everybody in Gaza". "So for 20 months we have been watching our colleagues being bombed, shot at, abducted, killed, but now we are actually watching them in real time slowly starving to death," Dr Skuce said. "We're in regular contact with people over there, we're getting videos from doctors, nurses and ambulance staff over there, and over the last few months we've actually watched them get thinner and thinner and thinner," she added. "They are dying themselves and they are also trying to save people who are brought into their hospital, dying," Dr Skuce said. Among those leading the demonstration was Dr Ahmad Adjina, a GP in Templeogue in Dublin, who is originally from Gaza. "I have two cousins who are doctors, one is a surgeon in northern Gaza, another is in the south," Dr Adjina said, "whatever they can do, they do it". "If they had the equipment they would stay 24 hours working but they don't have that, and that's the issue," Dr Adjina said. "The other thing is they are moving from place to place to place to place, I don't know how they are surviving," he said. His wife Fatima Jabr is also from Gaza and she attended today's march along with their son. "It's getting worse and worse and worse every day," Ms Jabr said. "I just want to thank the Irish people, no words can say how grateful we are, honestly," Ms Jabr said, as she broke down in tears, "the support we have gotten from Irish people is beyond words". Demonstrators carried placards with the names and photos of some of Palestinian doctors that have been killed, while others highlighted the chronic shortages of basic medical supplies in Gaza, such as anesthetics and gauze. Medics also carried a stretcher with bandaged dolls through the streets, to represent the war's civilian child causalties. In silence, protesters began their march outside the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland on St Stephen's Green and made their way slowly and solemnly through an otherwise busy Grafton Street. They were met with spontaneous applause as they turned onto South William Street before walking passed the Gaiety Theatre and St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and returning to RSCI. There, Dr George Little, a consultant in emergency medicine, addressed the crowd. He told those gathered that healthcare workers had "a moral obligation, an ethical obligation and professional obligation to protect human rights". "In the last week we have begun to see the overt signs of starvation" in Gaza, Dr Little told RTÉ News. "I think that has a visceral response, particularly for Irish people, that's what it looks like, that's what forced starvation looks like."


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Can't get fat jabs on the NHS? The 6 ‘Nozempic' foods that mimic the effects of weight-loss injections
WEIGHT loss drugs can sound like a magical quick fix to overeating and constant hunger pangs. But not everyone is eligible for the drugs, and lots wouldn't opt for them even if they were. Lots of us are still looking to blast some belly fat though, so what if we said you could mimic the meds, with none of the unpleasant side effects? The good news is there are simple ways to mimic fat jabs. 7 With a few diet changes, you can mimic the effects of weight-loss injections without the nasty side effects Credit: Getty Yep, with just a few diet changes, you could swerve the First developed to treat They work by mimicking naturally occurring incretins - hormones, like GLP-1 - that tell your brain you're full up. 'They reduce your minute-to-minute hunger drive,' says Dr Curtis. 'They also slow stomach emptying, so make you fuller for longer and can stabilise blood sugars.' But certain foods can put the brakes on hunger like this too… THE 'NOZEMPIC' DIET 'EVERYBODY creates GLP-1 after they eat, along with a whole swathe of other hormones that tell us we're full and don't necessarily need to carry on eating,' says Emily Lenoir, a registered associate nutritionist and behaviour change coach at Voy. 'There are a few foods that might increase the feeling of fullness, and that often is in relation to a slight peak in GLP-1.' So, pop these in your basket when you next do a big shop… 1. MEAT FEAST 7 Protein takes longer digest and seems to increase GLP-1 levels which will help support that feeling of fullness for longer Credit: Getty CHICKEN, turkey, salmon, eggs… 'Protein takes a little bit longer to digest; it stays in our stomach for longer,' says Lenoir. 'There also seems to be a slight increase in GLP-1 after eating protein.' She adds: 'If a quarter of your meals is coming from protein, which is often what we recommend, then you're likely to have that meal stay in your stomach for a bit longer, and help support that feeling of fullness.' Research from 2020 found that egg whites are particularly handy for GLP-1 release, so get boiling. 2. THE F-WORD 7 Eating fibres in your meal will help slow digestion and make sure you feel fuller Credit: Getty 'That comes from a variety of fruits and vegetables,' says Lenoir. 'If you're getting a whole range of fibres - fermentable fibres (loved by good gut bacteria), and soluble fibres (which slow digestion) - in your meal, that will help slow digestion and make sure you're feeling fuller." Insoluble fibre includes wholegrains like brown rice and wholegrain cereals, as well as leafy greens, nuts and seeds. Soluble fibre, the best type for keeping you full, includes oats, lentils, beans, apples, pears and root vegetables. It turns into a gel-like substance in the gut. Like fat jabs - but by different mechanism - this slows the rate at which food exits, keeping you fuller for longer. Berries are incredibly fibre-rich, as are apples, broccoli, peas, beans and Brussels sprouts. Some studies have found you can reduce glucose spikes, often caused by carbs, by eating your veg first, but Lenoir says not to worry about that too much. 'If you're eating carbohydrates alongside lots of different foods, you're likely to manage that quite well anyway,' she says. And eating things separately isn't always realistic. 'If you're making Bolognese, you're not going to split that up into your veggies, beef and then pasta,' says Lenoir. 3. OATS SO SIMPLE 7 Overnight oats and homemade granola ticks all the boxes to help you feel fuller Credit: Getty GO big on homemade granola and porridge for breakfast to curb hunger pangs through the day - oats are a soluble A 2024 study in the Journal of Nutrition, led by University of Arizona, showed that beta-glucan, found in insoluble fibres like oats, barley and mushrooms, was the only type of fibre that helped mice lose weight by facilitating the release of GLP-1. Lenoir says: 'Oats are high in fibre and have some proteins. 'They tick all the boxes in that respect and definitely help people feel fuller. 'It's important to also pair your meals so you're having a bit of everything. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. 'Oats are the majority carbohydrates, so you want to pair that with some yogurt, berries, nuts and seeds on top, to give you that full variety. 'That can help you feel satisfied for a prolonged period, and stop that big peak and trough that can come from a higher carb meal.' 4. GO NUTS 7 Having a handful of almonds or pistachios as a snack might increase your GLP-1 levels too Credit: Getty NUTS can divide a room - some people feel saintly snacking on them, but others are wary of eating too many for fear of getting fat. However, a review from 2016 revealed almonds, pistachios, and peanuts might actually increase GLP-1 levels thanks to being packed with protein, fibre and healthy fats. Lenoir says: 'They're shown to overall be quite beneficial if you're adding a handful here and there, but obviously, if you were eating a huge amount, that might have an impact on your energy levels across a day.' Too many could also impact your waistline, so keep portion sizes under control. 5. HOLY GUACAMOLE 7 Avocados have a good level of fibre in them - and can also slash insulin levels while increasing GLP-1 Credit: Getty MILLENNIALS might get a lot of grief for how many avocados they eat, but it looks like they're onto something. A 2019 study by the Center for Nutrition Research at the Illinois Institute of Technology found the guacamole staple can slash insulin levels and increase GLP-1 levels, alongside peptide YY - another appetite-regulating hormone - when eaten in place of carbs. Avocados also 'have a really good level of fibre' in them, which helps with satiety, says Lenoir. She adds: 'But similarly [to nuts], it's got fats in it, and fats are higher in energy per gram than other macronutrients. 'It's important to consider your whole diet, and probably eating just avocado isn't going to fit the bill.' 6. PICKLED 7 Fermented foods are often dubbed 'superfoods' but could also curb your appetite Credit: Getty KEFIR, sauerkraut, yogurt, pickles and kimchi are all 'Fermented foods help improve the number of good gut microbiome species in your gut, and also sometimes act like fermentable fibres, which give us short chain fatty acids,' explains Lenoir. 'There's some evidence to suggest that that can increase the level of GLP-1. 'If you have a better variety of gut microbiome then you're likely to be able to manage hunger slightly better.' CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION REMEMBER, what you're eating is only part of the story. 'There's two sides of hunger: You can feel physically hungry, but you can also feel unsatisfied because you simply aren't including foods you enjoy,' says Lenoir. This can actually lead to overeating, she warns: 'Psychologically, that can increase things like cravings.' So while not overly nourishing or hunger-busting, completely cutting out biscuits or chips could actually jeopardise your weight loss goals. 'I would never recommend people cut things out, it's always about finding that balance of how to stay satisfied for as long as possible, but also having foods you really enjoy,' says Lenoir. And whether you're on weight loss medication, or trying to shed pounds in the traditional way, also avoid eating too little. 'What we really want to maximise is your health gain as you're losing weight,' says Dr Curtis - that doesn't happen if your diet becomes too restricted. 'That's when we worry about undernutrition,' says Dr Curtis. 'I tell patients to make sure every calorie counts.'

The Journal
9 hours ago
- The Journal
Outpatients in Ireland face the longest waits for care of patients in similar countries
AN INTERNAL DEPARTMENT of Health report found that Ireland had the longest outpatient waiting times out of a list of analysed countries, including Poland, England and Scotland. The previously unpublished report, which was completed in November 2024 and obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by The Journal , shows that despite the volume of outpatients on waiting lists returning to pre-pandemic levels, Ireland still has significantly longer wait times than any other country surveyed. A Sinn Féin TD has condemned the long wait times and said that outpatients are waiting 'far too long' for care. The report analysed waiting lists in Ireland and 'comparable' countries, including Norway, Spain, Canada, Poland, England, Wales, Scotland and Finland. In Ireland, for every 1,000 people in the country, there were 112 people on outpatient waiting lists. Ireland's waiting lists were found to have reduced since 2022, which the department's report said indicated the country managed the pandemic backlog well and kept pace with population growth. 40% of people were waiting for appointments for more than six months, compared to 53% pre-Covid. The average wait time was under seven months. Among the assessed countries, Ireland and Wales had the highest percentage of people waiting more than a year for an outpatient appointment. In comparison to the other countries, Ireland had significantly higher waiting times for cataract surgeries and hysterectomies. Patients waited for an average of 167 days for cataract surgery in Ireland. The average waiting time for a hysterectomy in Ireland was 267 days, this is almost 100 days more than the country with the second longest waiting list for hysterectomies, Portugal. In the report, the Department of Health states that 'despite significant improvements, Ireland still has average waiting volumes and the highest wait times compared to other assessed countries'. 'This indicates that while progress has been made, further improvements are possible for Ireland to be among the better performing countries, especially regarding wait times,' it said. Inpatient lists The report also analysed how Ireland compares with several other countries regarding inpatient waiting lists, including Denmark, Spain, Canada, Poland, England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and Greece. Inpatient care involves a patient staying in a hospital overnight for care or treatment, while outpatient care tends to involve non-residential hospital appointments such as consultations, diagnostic tests, or minor procedures or treatments. The number of people on Irish inpatient waiting lists was increasing, but was still much lower than the number of people waiting for outpatient appointments. Advertisement For every 1,000 people in the country, 21 people were waiting for inpatient appointments in Ireland, a number which has remained consistent over several years. The average waiting time for inpatient appointments in Ireland was five months. The length of inpatient wait times was improving over time but had not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Compared to other countries, Ireland had an average or slightly below average number of people on inpatient waiting lists, and average inpatient waiting list times. 'Lack of transparency' Speaking to The Journal, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane TD said that Ireland is 'far behind' other European countries when it comes to waiting lists and that people are waiting 'far too long'. 'While there is some improvement, the numbers of people remaining waiting has remained static,' Cullinane said. 'Slaíntecare committed to reducing waiting lists dramatically, with a max wait of 12 weeks. We are a long, long way from that,' he said. He said elective surgeries, such as orthopaedics, tend to have the longest waiting lists, primarily due to cancellation. 'There is consistent and persistent overcrowding in emergency hospitals,' he said, adding that this is caused by a lack of beds, which moves patients into the emergency department and results in the cancellation of elective operations due to a lack of space. Cullinane said long waiting lists in Ireland are due to a number of issues, including the lack of beds and staff, and the lack of a seven day week service. He also said there is a 'lack of transparency' relating to waiting lists, as only acute hospital waiting lists are regularly published. He added that waiting lists in other areas of the health service, such as community care, are also problematic. The Department of Health told The Journal they welcome the report, and noted the finding that Ireland made the greatest improvement between December 2022 and December 2024. It said: 'It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. The Minister for Health is conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.' 'The Minister published the Waiting List Action Plan (WLAP) for 2025 in February, representing this Government's commitment to reducing waiting times for patients and improving access to hospital care.' 'With the 2025 plan, we are continuing to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi-annual action plan approach, progressing towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality care, where and when they need it.' With reporting by Conor O'Carroll Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal