Chloe Meadows openly discussed her struggle with ulcerative colitis on Dr. Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast, revealing that she ignored warning signs for almost ten years. The 33-year-old reality star recalled noticing blood in her stool at the age of 16 while attending boarding school.
"I remember I told my mum and was like there is quite a lot of blood down the toilet," Chloe, who once starred in The Only Way Is Essex, said. "I'm not really sure what is going on and she, of course, said go to the doctors. I went to the doctors and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy.
"The doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified. It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away.
"I'd be like, 'Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me'. I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again.
"I just got on with it and ignored it. I think I was scared of having any procedure done." The podcast episode underscored the importance of recognising this condition, pointing out how frequently people dismiss or overlook symptoms when they occur.
To gain further insights into ulcerative colitis, we interviewed Pearl Avery, the IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) nursing lead at Crohn's & Colitis UK, who discussed several typical red flags to be aware of.
Chloe Meadows has candidly shared her battle with ulcerative colitis on Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast(Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images)
"Ulcerative colitis is a type of IBD where parts of the large bowel – the colon and rectum – become inflamed and ulcerated," Avery said. "This can cause worrying symptoms like blood in your poo and frequent, urgent diarrhoea as well as weight loss (because you're struggling to absorb nutrients) and fatigue.
"Usually, the immune system protects the body, but it's thought that in colitis it goes wrong and starts attacking the bowel." Despite this, Avery emphasised that its exact cause remains largely unknown.
She went on: "We don't know for sure what causes colitis or Crohn's, but researchers believe it's a mix of genes, bacteria in the gut and something in the environment that triggers it. There are all sorts of exciting studies happening now to unlock the mystery of what causes IBD and hopefully one day find a cure."
Typical red flags to look out for
While each person experiences colitis in their own way, certain warning signs should not be ignored. "Some symptoms to look out for include blood in your poo (more than once), urgent and frequent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, joint pain and fatigue," Avery said.
"Constipation can also be a symptom of colitis, as can stomach pain. There is a really handy symptom checker on the Crohn's & Colitis UK website which takes just 30 seconds to complete and provides support and guidance on when to see a doctor and what to say when you get there."
When you should seek medical advice
Although symptoms can be easily brushed off as a 'dodgy tummy' or something consumed, Avery advised consulting an expert promptly. "If you are seeing blood in the toilet when you poo, having frequent diarrhoea, or even waking up in the night to rush to the loo, then it's time to speak to someone about it," she said.
"We know that it's taking too long for people with Crohn's and colitis to be diagnosed, but the sooner you start that process and ask for help, the better."
Diagnosing ulcerative colitis
If colitis is suspected, various tests might be suggested. Avery explained: "One is a straightforward faecal calprotectin test, which analyses a sample of your poo to work out how much inflammation you've got going on in your bowel.
"Then you might be referred for a colonoscopy, which is done in the hospital and involves having a scope, or tiny camera, put into your bottom to look around the colon and rectum."
Treatment options
Currently, a cure for colitis is not available; however, several treatments exist to alleviate its symptoms. These treatments include immunosuppressants and steroids.
Avery continued: "There are new drugs being developed all the time, which is really encouraging. Some people with colitis end up having surgery to have part of their bowel removed and a stoma fitted.
"Those operations are life-changing, but that's not a bad thing, because for many patients the change is very positive, and they tell us they wish they had had the surgery sooner and it has given them a new lease of life."
