Frequently asked — IBD & ostomy
Plain-language answers to the questions people actually ask about living with IBD and a stoma — diet, flares, daily life, products, and more. Sourced, not medical advice.
IBD basics & diagnosis
Are IBD and IBS the same thing, and why are they so often confused?
No. IBD (inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's) causes real inflammation and visible damage to the gut. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a disorder of how the gut works, with no inflammation or damage. They share symptoms like abdominal pain and changed bowel habits, which is why they are confused, but they are different conditions with different treatments.
Is IBD contagious, and can I pass it to my family or partner?
No. IBD is not an infection and cannot be caught or passed on through contact, food, or sex. It does run in families through genes, so a close relative has a somewhat higher chance of developing it, but that is inherited risk, not transmission, and most relatives never develop IBD.
Is IBD fatal, and will it shorten my life expectancy?
For most people, no. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are lifelong conditions, but they are rarely fatal in themselves, and most people can expect to live a long life. On average, life expectancy may be slightly shorter than in people without IBD, but the difference is small and is improving with modern treatment.
What causes IBD, and can it be cured?
The exact cause is not fully known. IBD develops when the immune system reacts abnormally in the gut, in people with a genetic predisposition, set off by environmental factors. There is currently no cure, but treatment can control the inflammation and bring long periods of remission, and for ulcerative colitis surgery to remove the colon can stop the disease.
What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and can one turn into the other?
Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum, with continuous inflammation in the inner lining. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, in patches, through the full thickness of the wall. They are two separate diagnoses, and one does not change into the other, although in a small number of people the diagnosis is later revised or labelled IBD-unclassified.
Treatment, medication & side effects
Can herbal or alternative remedies treat IBD, and can I replace my medication with them?
There is no herbal product, tea, or alternative therapy proven to cure IBD or to safely replace your prescribed medication. Some complementary approaches may help a little with symptoms or wellbeing, but the evidence is limited, and natural does not mean safe; some can interact with your drugs. The firm advice from IBD organisations is to keep taking your usual medication and to tell your IBD team before trying anything, so they can check it is safe for you.
Can I stop my medication once I am in remission?
Even when you feel completely well, IBD medication is usually meant to keep you in remission, not just to treat a flare. Stopping it on your own carries a real risk of relapse: studies show that coming off biologics or immunomodulators leads many people to flare within one to two years. The safe approach is never to stop or change a dose by yourself. Raise it with your IBD team, who can weigh your own history and, in some cases, plan a careful, monitored reduction.
Do biologics weaken my immune system and leave me open to infections?
Biologics work by damping down a specific overactive part of the immune system that drives IBD inflammation, so they do raise the risk of some infections. They do not destroy your immunity wholesale. Because of this, your team screens you before you start, including a tuberculosis test, and keeps your vaccinations up to date. For most people the benefit of controlling the inflammation outweighs the infection risk, which is managed rather than ignored.
What are the long-term side effects of steroids (cortisone), and how can they be limited?
Steroids such as prednisolone are excellent at calming a flare quickly, but they are not meant for long-term use. Taken at higher doses or for more than a few weeks, they can thin the bones (osteoporosis), raise blood sugar, increase the risk of infection, and affect mood. This is why IBD teams use them as a short course to settle a flare rather than as a maintenance drug. You should also never stop them suddenly; the dose is lowered step by step under medical guidance.
Why do I still get flares even when I take my medication regularly?
A flare while you are taking your medication faithfully is frustrating, but it does not mean you have failed or that the drug is useless. IBD is a relapsing condition, and no treatment removes the risk of flares completely. Triggers like a gut infection, certain painkillers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), ongoing stress, or a treatment that is no longer strong enough for you can all set one off. The right move is not to stop your medication but to contact your IBD team, who can look for a trigger and review your treatment.