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Hi my name is Nicholas, I am a 22 year old male. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2011, one of the conditions known under Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). I suffered from this invisible disease trying to keep it a secret from everyone, I have never gone into remission (having no symptoms of the disease), just got better (if you can call it that) and worse over the years. Ulcerative Colitis is an autoimmune condition where the bodies own immune system attacks itself, causing inflammation and ulceration to the lining of the large intestine. There is also Crohns Disease which is another type of IBD and attacks all of the digestive system. They are not a well known disease and there is much to learn about what is the cause and triggers of these conditions. It may be genetic and hereditary, environmental and may be caused by diet but non is known for sure. They both have similar symptoms consisting of:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Blood and mucous in the stool
• Diarrhoea
• Intestinal Blockage
• Frequently emptying bowel and increased urgency 
• Weight loss
• Fatigue and Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle and Joint pain
• Inflammation of the eyes
• Mouth Ulcers

The disease never got better and it came to the point where my life was at risk and there was only one option that would save my life. It was either have a bag or be in one. I had surgery on the 21st January 2014, an operation called Total Colectomy, this was to remove the entire large colon which is the diseased part from Ulcerative Colitis. Due to the removal of this organ a stoma had to be created, my small intestine had to be brought to the outside of my body through the abdomen and stitched to the skin so that the waste products could leave my body. This is known as an Ileostomy (Ostomy), I now require a bag to be attached to my abdomen so that the waste contents can expel and can be emptied when convenient.  

There are many people suffering from IBD and Ostomies and can become very embarrassed about it, this is caused by lack of knowledge and the stigmas attached to them.

I am trying to raise awareness and fund raise to help support the charity 'Crohns and Colitis'. To help spread the word of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohns and Colitis), the invisible disease that many people suffer on their own. This is to provide knowledge to others about the conditions and what it is like for the sufferers so that they can understand the disease and allow the stigma from the symptoms around IBD and  living with Ostomies related to Crohns and Colitis. 

If you would like to follow me:

Twitter = @ostolife

Blog = www.ostolife.co.uk

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