Big Brother finalist Catrin Richards has spoken about living with Crohn's disease and colitis after revealing that her health struggles were not shown during the reality show's latest series.

The 23-year-old Welsh teaching assistant said she had hoped to use the programme to raise awareness of the conditions. In an Instagram Story shared after leaving the house, Richards said she was disappointed that conversations about her health had not made the broadcast.

She also revealed that she became 'quite unwell' during her final week in the house and could not receive her usual infusion treatment. She thanked fellow contestants for helping her when she was physically unable to manage things herself.

Richards did not name the medication or explain why the infusion was missed.

Crohn's Disease Can Affect More Than One Part of the Digestive Tract

Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system. Unlike ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and rectum, Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

Symptoms vary between individuals, and people can experience periods of flare-ups followed by remission, when symptoms become less severe or disappear.

Early Symptoms Can Be Mistaken for Common Digestive Problems

Crohn's symptoms can include persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain or cramping, blood or mucus in the stool, reduced appetite and unintended weight loss. Some people also experience fever or an urgent need to open their bowels.

Because symptoms can overlap with those of irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease and other digestive conditions, diagnosing Crohn's disease may take time. There is no single test for Crohn's. Assessment can involve blood and stool tests, scans and procedures such as a colonoscopy, during which doctors may take tissue samples.

Symptoms can begin at any age, but they often first appear in teenagers and young adults. Persistent symptoms, unexplained weight loss or blood in the stool should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

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Fatigue and Other Symptoms May Extend Beyond the Gut

IBD does not always cause symptoms that are immediately visible. Persistent inflammation, poor sleep, anaemia, nutritional deficiencies and some medicines can contribute to fatigue, which may affect daily activities even when bowel symptoms seem less severe.

Crohn's disease can also affect other parts of the body. Some people develop joint pain, eye inflammation or skin problems, while mouth ulcers can occur during a flare-up. These complications are known as extraintestinal manifestations.

Treatment Helps Control Inflammation and Prevent Flare-Ups

There is currently no cure for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, but treatment can help control inflammation and maintain remission. Depending on the condition and its severity, care may include steroids, immune-suppressing medicines or biologic therapies that target parts of the immune system.

Some biologic medicines are given through an infusion at a hospital or clinic, while others are administered by injection. Treatment plans are individual, and the effects of a delayed dose depend on the medicine and the patient's circumstances.

Patients should speak to their IBD team before changing or delaying prescribed treatment. Richards' experience also underscores that IBD can affect young people and cause symptoms beyond the digestive system, including fatigue, joint pain and skin problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Crohn's disease?
    Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system and can affect any part of the digestive tract.
  • How is Crohn's disease different from ulcerative colitis?
    While ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum, Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus.
  • What are common symptoms of Crohn's disease?
    Common symptoms include persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, blood or mucus in the stool, reduced appetite, and unintended weight loss.
  • How is Crohn's disease diagnosed?
    Diagnosis may involve blood and stool tests, scans, and procedures like a colonoscopy where tissue samples may be taken.
  • What treatments are available for Crohn's disease?
    Treatments include steroids, immune-suppressing medicines, and biologic therapies that target parts of the immune system.
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