‘It can be life threatening' warns medics over common disorder that affects the digestive system
AN URGENT warning has been issued to thousands of Irish people over a common disorder that affects the digestive system.
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The immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Oonagh O'Hagan set up Symprove to support Irish people to achieve good gut health
Credit: StoryLab
And an estimated 40,000 Irish people suffer from IBD.
Crohn's disease affects people of all ages, and the symptoms usually start in
The main symptoms are diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in your poo, fatigue and weight loss.
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The symptoms may be constant or may come and go every few weeks or months.
Ulcerative Colitis directly affects the colon and rectum.
The colon is the large intestine (bowel) and the rectum is the end of the bowel where poo is stored.
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The main symptoms are:
Recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus
Tummy pain
Needing to poo frequently
Lorraine host reveals health update after emergency surgery and having to pull out of live TV hours before going on air
People may also experience extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
IBD is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract.
And despite being chronic and incurable, IBD is not classified as a disability in Ireland.
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CAUSES OF IBD
The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown.
Your genes - you're more likely to get it if a close family member has it
A problem with the immune system (the body's defence against infection)
Smoking
A previous stomach bug
An abnormal balance of gut bacteria
There's no evidence to suggest a particular diet causes Crohn's disease.
And ulcerative colitis is thought to be an autoimmune condition.
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This means the immune system, the body's defence against infection, goes wrong and attacks healthy tissue.
The most popular theory is that the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria inside the colon as a threat and attacks the tissues of the colon, causing it to become inflamed.
Exactly what causes the immune system to behave in this way is unclear but many experts think it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
TREATMENTS AVAILABLE
There's no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatment can help ease or control your symptoms.
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Medicines are the main treatment and may include:
steroids to reduce inflammation - for example, prednisolone
immunosuppressants - if steroids do not help to reduce inflammation
biological medicines - if other medicines do not help
Treatment for ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms during a flare-up and prevent symptoms from returning (maintaining remission).
TREATMENT
In most people, this is achieved by taking medicine, such as:
aminosalicylates (ASAs)
corticosteroids (steroid medicines)
immunosuppressants
Mild to moderate flare-ups can usually be treated at home. But more severe flare-ups need to be treated in hospital.
WORLD IBD DAY
Managing Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, Oonagh O'Hagan, took Symprove to manage her own IBS symptoms.
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Symprove is a digestive health supplement that can provide relief from some of the symptoms of IBD.
Oonagh then set up Symprove Ireland to distribute the supplement to as many outlets as possible across Ireland to support Irish people to achieve good gut
She said: "We are proud to be partnering with Crohn's & Colitis Ireland to mark World IBD Day on Monday, May 19.
"Crohn's & Colitis Ireland does incredibly important work in supporting people who suffer from IBD.
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"And I am looking forward to working with Amy to ensure that IBD sufferers – and those with IBS – know how to manage their conditions as effectively as possible, so they complement their medical treatment with supplements that can significantly relieve their symptoms."
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Amy Kelly is the COO of Crohn's & Colitis Ireland
Credit: StoryLab
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The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Free booze killed our pal & sister… people are bottling this poison for tourists and we need to flag the warning signs
LIFTING her drink, Bethany Clarke clinked glasses with her best friend Simone White and they each took a swig. The vodka and lemonade, which the girls had been given for free at Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, tasted weak, but they assumed it had been watered down. 6 Bethany Clarke and Simone White were on holiday together in Laos when what seemed like a fun night out turned into tragedy Credit: Supplied by Bethany Clarke 6 With suspected methanol poisoning claiming the lives of ever more tourists, we speak to the victims and campaigners desperately trying to put a stop to it Credit: Getty 6 Best friends Bethany and Simone fell ill after drinking vodka shots abroad — it was later found they'd been poisoned with methanol Credit: Bethany Clarke The childhood friends, from Orpington, Kent, enjoyed five more freebie drinks during the hostel's happy hour, blissfully unaware that within 24 hours, they would both be critically ill. Nine days later, on November 21 last year, 'It's hard to put into words how horrendous it was,' says Bethany, a podiatrist who now lives in Brisbane. 'It was the worst period of my life. I could not understand how we'd gone from having a few drinks in a bar together, to this." The morning after, we all felt fine. It just seemed like a bad hangover Bethany Clarke Along with Simone, Denmark , and American James Louis Hutson, 57, also lost their lives. This shocking case is just one of a number of methanol poisoning incidents in popular backpacker destinations, such as Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam, in recent months. The issue mainly affects poorer countries, where law enforcement is under-resourced and there are few regulations around food and alcohol standards. In Southeast Asia, there is also an industry of home-brewed alcohol, which can lead to accidental poisonings. Experts have warned that the true scope of the problem is unknown. Fiona Chuah, methanol poisoning initiative team lead at Doctors Without Borders, says: 'Without a comprehensive national and international surveillance and reporting system, the prevalence is likely under reported. 'Many cases go unrecognised, because symptoms – which often appear 12 to 24 hours after ingestion – such as headache, nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances, are often mistaken for hangovers, food poisoning or other illnesses, and this then delays critical treatment.' Bethany and Simone met at primary school and had previously travelled together to countries including Thailand and China, before planning their two-and-a-half-week trip for November 2024. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, dies in 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning' that left 4 others dead in backpacking hotspot They met up in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, before arriving in Vang Vieng in Laos on November 11. They spent the next day 'tubing' – a bar crawl using inflatables along a river – before joining a friend, Daniel*, for free vodka shots at the hostel, which they mixed with Sprite. 'There was a nice vibe,' Bethany recalls. 'We had been drinking in random bars in places like Bali and Thailand before and not seen it as a risk.' I was drifting in and out of consciousness, but also trying to advocate for Simone and keep an eye on all our possessions Bethany Clarke After around two hours, the trio left, feeling 'not particularly drunk'. The next morning, they joined a kayaking excursion. 'We all felt a bit off, but fine,' Bethany says. 'It just seemed like a bad hangover.' That night, the trio boarded a minibus to make the two-hour journey to Laos' capital, Vientiane, during which Simone was sick and Bethany fainted. The driver dropped them at a public hospital, where medics wrongly suspected food poisoning or drug use and gave them IV fluids via a drip. Soon after, Simone's condition worsened. The group were transferred to a private hospital where, at around 11.30pm – 26 hours after drinking the shots – tests showed methanol poisoning. 'I was drifting in and out of consciousness, but also trying to advocate for Simone and keep an eye on all our possessions,' Bethany recalls. 'I still hoped it would all be OK. 'I even thought we might be able to carry on with the holiday .' The next day, Bethany and Daniel, whose condition had stabilised, were moved to another ward and told that Simone was sedated but also improving. In the meantime, Bethany's worried family offered to travel out to be with her, but she refused. 'I had no idea how long we would be in hospital, or that Simone wouldn't survive,' she says. I wondered if it had been me who had picked up the 'bad' drinks and given them to Simone Bethany Clarke Later, as Sue was preparing to fly 16 hours from the UK, Bethany had to contact her again, as Simone had deteriorated and needed consent for brain surgery. Sue arrived in Laos just ahead of the operation, but sadly it was unsuccessful. Six days later, her life support was switched off. 'I was in denial. None of us could believe what had happened,' says Bethany, who flew back to the UK with Sue and Daniel that same evening. Simone was repatriated days later, and her funeral was held in December. 'Afterwards, I had to keep talking about what had happened as I tried to understand it. I wondered if it had been me who had picked up the 'bad' drinks and given them to Simone,' says Bethany. 'I'm smaller than her and I have epilepsy, 'It was a lot for my family to cope with, too. 'For them, I nearly died as well.' DEADLY HOMEBREW Methanol can affect people differently, depending on the mix of the drink and how an individual metabolises it, explains Dr Knut Erik Hovda, technical consultant at the Methanol Poisoning Institute (MPi), a Doctors Without Borders initiative. 'It is not the methanol itself that is toxic, but the metabolite – the end product. Depending on the exact amount of methanol in the drink, as well as how much regular alcohol – which acts as an antidote – is present, people may respond differently,' he says. After news of the first two deaths – investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been reported. 6 Measha Rudge, right, with her sister Cheznye, 23, who died in Indonesia in 2013 in similar circumstances 6 Ashley King was 18 when she was blinded after drinking a counterfeit cocktail during a night out in Kuta, Bali, in March 2011 Credit: Instagram The mass deaths, which attracted global headlines, brought back painful memories for Measha Rudge, whose sister Cheznye Emmons, 23, died in Indonesia in 2013 in similar circumstances. 'So many have died' Measha, 38, has been raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol through her Save A Life campaign in memory of beautician Cheznye. 'It's heartbreaking that so many have died since Chez,' says Measha, a teacher from Shoebury, Essex. Cheznye was on a six-month trip around Southeast Asia with boyfriend Joe Cook when she drank shop-bought 'gin' – which came in a sealed bottle – in Sumatra. After she became sick and lost her vision, medics diagnosed her with methanol poisoning and put her in an induced coma, but she passed away five days later. 'It was horrendous,' Measha says. 'Chez was my best friend. 'She always had a smile on her face, always tried to make people happy.' It was horrendous, Chez was my best friend. She always had a smile on her face, always tried to make people happy Measha Rudge In late 2013, Measha's dad Brenton travelled to Sumatra with the BBC's Fake Britain and discovered that shops were still selling bootleg gin at a low cost. 'In Indonesia, the alcohol tax is really high, so some locals brew it themselves,' Measha says. 'You would believe the packaging is real and it's not. 'People are just bottling up this crap, and nobody is ever held to account.' In the aftermath of Cheznye's death, Measha and her family liaised with the UK government about an awareness campaign. They produced posters to be shared in NHS clinics for people getting vaccinations before travelling to Southeast Asia, and had warnings added to the FCDO website for countries where consuming counterfeit alcohol is a risk. Counterfeit cocktails But over the years, interest has waned. Measha says most clinics declined to display the posters, and warnings are not prominent enough for tourists. 'You have young people fresh out of school or university who are going to go to Southeast Asia to enjoy themselves. And none of them are thinking they shouldn't take free or cheap drinks. We need to make the risks clear.' This was the case for Ashley King, who was 18 when she went blind after drinking a counterfeit cocktail during a night out in Kuta, Bali, in March 2011. She began feeling 'disoriented and nauseous' the following evening, after taking a flight to New Zealand and arriving at her hostel in Christchurch. The next morning, she noticed the lighting was 'dim' in her room and, soon after, she found herself struggling to breathe. 'Someone from the hostel took me to a clinic. By the time I arrived, I couldn't see the nurse's fingers,' Ashley, now 32, remembers. She was rushed to hospital, where tests showed she had methanol poisoning. 'They told my family to get on the first flight out, because they thought I might not make it,' she says. In denial Ashley awoke the next day in ICU and, two days later, she was moved to a regular ward, but still couldn't see. A few days later, doctors confirmed her optic nerves were dying and her eyesight would not return. 'I started crying,' she recalls. 'I thought my life was over, that I'd never have a career, fall in love or go to university.' Medics asked if she wanted to file a police report, but she declined, thinking there was no point – a decision she now regrets. She was treated in New Zealand for a month before returning to her home in Calgary, Canada. 'I would lie to friends and say I was getting my eyesight back,' she says. 'I refused to use a cane and hated asking for help. 'I was angry, sad and resentful.' Prevention not treatment She spent three years 'in denial', before deciding at 21 to study journalism at university and, later, acting. She eventually landed a job in theatre admin, then won a grant to develop a play about her experience called Static: A Party Girl's Memoir, which she performed last year at a theatre in Calgary. She has now adapted the show into a podcast. 'Methanol poisoning was the most traumatic thing that's happened to me, but I'm proud I've been able to reclaim the narrative,' she says. Ashley had hoped to be 'an anomaly' and is horrified by the recent surge in methanol poisoning incidents. Other cases have included Brit Boxing Day last year after Likewise, in January, 33 people died and another 43 were hospitalised after Since methanol can't be detected by sight, smell or taste, Doctors Without Borders' Fiona Chuah recommends avoiding any home-made alcoholic drinks or those from questionable sources. 'Purchase alcohol from licensed stores, bars and hotels, or other reputable sources, and stick to well-known brands,' she says. 'Always check seals are intact and inspect labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling. 'Exceptionally low prices can be a red flag.' 6 Brit Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and fiancé Els Arno Quinton, 36, died in Vietnam last year, after drinking limoncello suspected to be laced with methanol Credit: Facebook Four months on from Simone's death, Bethany says she is not holding out hope for justice for her friend. 'I don't have much faith, as the communication from authorities has been poor,' she says. Instead, she is determined to educate others about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol, and has launched a petition calling for the issue to be included in the school curriculum. ''Steer clear, drink beer' is the message that we're pushing – fake spirits can look very convincing in some of the countries where methanol poisoning is a problem,' Bethany explains. 'We need to focus on prevention, rather than treatment. 'I've lost the most important person in my life to methanol poisoning. 'All we can do for her now is to raise awareness and try to save others.' Sign the petition to put the dangers of methanol poisoning on the school curriculum at
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Triona McCarthy: Sensitive skin and scalp? Check out these home-brand goodies with nourishing marine extracts
Seavite was founded in the 1990s by Patrick Mulrooney, who created the brand for his daughters Jane and Katherine, who both suffered from eczema. Their mother Kaye celebrated a significant birthday at the bash and, as a former schoolteacher, she spoke so eloquently about the brand's journey. Kaye described Seavite as a love story, highlighting how Patrick developed this range out of love for his little girls. It was an incredibly emotional moment. Kaye is still very much involved with the brand, working alongside her daughters and their brother Patrick, who helps manage the Dr Mulrooney Clinic, specialising in clinical dermatology. I told Kaye she is an icon, and she graciously returned the compliment, sharing her mantra: 'A compliment is like perfume; enjoy it, but just don't swallow it.' It's a quote from her late husband Patrick that I now cherish and often repeat. Here's to Irish success stories! Seavite saviours Seavite's skincare combines soothing marine extracts from Galway and is especially suitable for those with sensitive skin. While all of the brand's products are brilliant, the Seavite Super Nutrient Soothing & Replenishing Face Cream (€58, is a must for any skin, but especially sensitive or dry skin. Made from organic seaweed extracts and nourishing botanicals, it has a deeply hydrating formula, the calming seaweed extracts soothe irritations and over time, you'll find those pesky lines, wrinkles and discolouration diminishing. Smooth operator Green Angel is another great Irish skincare brand, founded in 2006 by Chris and Mary Mitchell. The products are handmade in Rathcoole, Dublin. The brand has an amazing special offer at present, where if you buy its Green Angel Sunrise Magic Smoother (€39, you get its Ocean Rich gift set containing Seaweed Body Lotion and Seaweed Hand Cream (worth €45) completely free. The exfoliating Magic Smoother is one of the brand's hero products, as it uses sea salt, argan oil and Irish seaweed to remove dead skin cells and nourish the skin. Use it during the warmer months to prepare your skin for applying tan and in the winter to keep your skin soft. Sea it, believe it Created by Irish entrepreneur Sinead Asple, Sea+Solu is another great brand using plant-forward formulations, Irish marine minerals and advanced biotechnology in its products. Hair needs a little extra TLC during the warmer months, particularly if you're hitting the pools and beaches, and the Sea+Solu Moisture Melt Shampoo and Moisture Melt Conditioner (€26.95 each, are fab. Every formula is sulphate-free, silicone-free, paraben-free and vegan, and they are good for scalp health while cleansing and strengthening your hair. They are a great choice for combating summer dryness and frizz if you're escaping to sunnier shores over the next few months. Treat Eyes on the prize I love multi-purpose products and when it comes to eyeshadow, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette (€70, is a good 'un. It can also be used as a base or highlighter. A palette of five natural colours, it allows you to create all kinds of hot looks for both day and nightime. Trick Tame the pain Like everything good in life, beauty sometimes comes at a price, gals. And as women, our hormones dictate so much of our lives, including our tolerance to pain. I hardly need to tell you that when we're on our period, we're much more sensitive to pain. So, if you're having a beauty treatment that might be a little uncomfortable, like laser hair removal, the best time to book is mid-cycle, which is when we're better able to put up with pain. Treatment Island escape Being a Corkonian, I have a real grá for Fota Island Resort and I adore its spa. It has a great offer called Summer Escape at Fota Island Resort (from €669 based on two people sharing, The spa's signature Hydra Glow Facial will leave you glowing and you also get to enjoy the hydrotherapy pool, Acacia Thermal Suite and outdoor sauna. The escape includes a two-night stay, full Irish breakfast each morning and a three-course meal.
Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
The Sunday Independent's View: The Leaving Cert is the least of young people's worries
It may be worth asking whether having the eyes of the whole country fixed on them as they go through that rite of passage only adds to the pressure under which students are labouring right now. Worth asking even more is whether we would be better off as a society if half as much attention was paid to young people's struggles with mental health all year round as opposed to the Leaving Cert for those few weeks each June. A survey of young people published last week by the Irish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) team at University College Galway made for predictably grim reading. It reported that almost 50pc of Irish children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 report 'feeling low' at least once a week — a figure that has more than doubled since 1998. The outlook for girls is particularly concerning, with 57.6pc disclosing being regularly unhappy, compared to 35.2pc of boys. Data from HBSC teams around Europe tells the same story. Worryingly, nearly one in four of the young people surveyed suffer from headaches. Just under one in two experience sleep disturbances. That latter figure may have much to do with excessive screen time. The devices to which we all seem to be addicted, adults and children alike, devour our waking hours. By feeding us an unending diet of anger and negativity, they contribute to a vicious cycle of worsening mental health. The irony is that the main concern in previous decades used to centre on teenage drinking and drug abuse The younger a person gets a smartphone, the more likely they are to suffer from depression later on. The more they use them, the worse their mental health. From the climate crisis to the horrors of the war in Gaza, their minds are bombarded 24/7 with reasons to feel anxious. Not knowing if they will ever be able to afford to rent or buy their own home or earn enough to keep pace with the rising cost of living adds to that unease. The irony is that the main concern in previous decades used to centre on teenage drinking and drug abuse. As the HBSC report confirms, young people are now less likely than every previous generation to report being 'really drunk' at some point, down sharply from 33pc in 1998 to 17.8pc now. Chemical highs have merely been replaced by mental and emotional lows in a world that increasingly feels as if it is falling apart. Teenagers can be forgiven for thinking that the Leaving Cert is the least of their problems. Older generations used to envy the young. No more. Until their angst is properly recognised as a public crisis, the most vulnerable among them will continue to be left to struggle alone What can be done to ease this malaise is the real issue. Addressing the launch of the HBSC report via a pre-recorded video message last week, Fianna Fáil's Junior Public Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor acknowledged the pressures undermining children's well-being, and declared: 'We need to support equality and ensure that no young person is left behind.' ADVERTISEMENT Few would disagree with that fine, if slightly glib, sentiment. Making it happen is harder. As with housing, the mental challenges being experienced by young people need to be the focus of a resolute cross-departmental approach, encompassing every arm of government. Until their angst is properly recognised as a public crisis, the most vulnerable among them will continue to be left to struggle alone, long after the annual messages of solidarity as they sit the Leaving Cert have been forgotten.
