Smoothing the path to diagnosis: how to find out what’s up with your gut

Fern Howard

Head of Policy and Campaigns, Crohn’s & Colitis UK

Stomach pain, frequent diarrhoea and blood in your poo may be symptoms of a gastrointestinal condition. Paying attention to your bowel habits is vital, and so is seeking help if something isn’t right.

The Crohn’s & Colitis UK symptom checker has been one of our charity’s biggest success stories. More than a quarter of a million people have taken the 30-second survey to get guidance on whether they might need to seek professional advice about their bowel symptoms. That’s a promising step forward in raising awareness of Crohn’s and colitis, but we all know that getting a diagnosis for gut problems can be far from simple.  

Gastrointestinal diagnosis challenges

One of the biggest issues is that so many gastrointestinal (GI) conditions have similar symptoms. This means it can be challenging for GPs to identify which tests and investigations are needed. Someone may have Crohn’s, colitis, IBS or coeliac disease, for example.

At Crohn’s & Colitis UK, people come to us every day with stories of repeated visits to their GP or A&E before they get a diagnosis, and they experience long waits to get to the bottom of what is going on in their bodies.  

The Lower GI Pathway is a concise and
informative tool designed to empower both
patients and their healthcare practitioners.

Empowering patients and aiding GPs

A coordinated approach is essential. That’s why Crohn’s & Colitis UK has joined forces with other key gut-related charities, healthcare professional organisations and patients to make the route to diagnosis both clearer and smoother. We know we can’t afford to wait.

The Lower GI Pathway is a concise and informative tool designed to empower both patients and their healthcare practitioners. By working together with other experts, we have developed a pathway to support busy GPs making vital decisions about tests and investigations. Our patient toolkit makes the process of diagnosis less overwhelming for those with symptoms, by giving them information on what to discuss with their GP and the tests available to them. 

Ultimately, the sooner we can make sure that people are on the right path to the treatment they need, the better. By working together with other experts in the field, we hope to make a difference in thousands of lives every year.