What is ulcerative colitis? Louise Thompson reveals she has stoma bag – Yahoo Lifestyle UK

Louise Thompson has revealed she has a stoma bag to help manage her ulcerative colitis. (Getty Images)

Former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson has revealed that she has had a stoma bag fitted.

A stoma bag is the result of a colostomy, which the NHS says in an operation that diverts one end of the colon to an opening through the stomach to collect any excrements.

Introducing the grey bag that may well have saved my life, the 34-year-old captioned a video she posted on Instagram.

Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to have to keep hidden forever.

So I guess Ill just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag that represents life. And hopefully a better one. Isnt it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon!

Thompson was previously diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and spent two weeks in hospital earlier this year after facing a flare-up.

According to Crohns and Colitis UK, ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where part of the colon becomes inflamed, swollen, and ulcerated.

It is a long-term condition that affects around every one in 227 people in the UK, or 296,000 people.

Primary symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

Symptom severity can vary, but often people with the condition can have flare-ups, which means that the symptoms are particularly bad.

During flare-ups, symptoms can extend to other parts of the body and include irritated eyes, swollen or painful joints, and mouth ulcers.

If you have any of these symptoms, or any of the primary symptoms, make an appointment with your GP.

It is believed to be an autoimmune condition, which the NHS says means that something in the bodys immune system goes awry and begins to attack healthy tissue.

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However, the exact cause is unclear and it is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

The condition is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 25 years old.

Ulcerative colitis is most commonly treated during a flare-up so as to prevent symptoms from returning and for people with the condition to remain in remission which means free from flare-ups.

Common treatments include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.

If medicines dont treat the flare-ups, this is when surgery is considered to remove part of your colon, or a stoma bag is considered. Stoma bags can be permanent or temporary, and removed once the bowel is healed.

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What is ulcerative colitis? Louise Thompson reveals she has stoma bag - Yahoo Lifestyle UK