Chloe Meadows, a well-known former star of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), has openly shared her personal journey with ulcerative colitis during an episode of Dr Oscar Duke’s Bedside Manners podcast. At just 16 years old and attending boarding school, Chloe first noticed blood in her stool—a warning sign she admits she ignored for nearly ten years.
“I remember telling my mum there was quite a lot of blood in the toilet,” Chloe recalled. “She told me to see a doctor, and after a referral for a colonoscopy, I was terrified and just never went.” The troubling symptoms would come and go, leading Chloe to believe she was fine and avoid seeking further medical help. “It would stop for periods and I’d think, ‘It’s gone away, I’m better,’” she said. “I just ignored it because I was scared of the procedures involved.”
Chloe’s story sheds light on the challenges many face when dealing with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum. To provide more insight into the condition, we spoke with Pearl Avery, IBD nursing lead at Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
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“Ulcerative colitis inflames and ulcerates parts of the large bowel, causing symptoms like blood in the stool, frequent urgent diarrhoea, weight loss, and fatigue,” Avery explained. “It’s believed to be an immune system malfunction, but the exact causes remain unclear.” Researchers think genetics, gut bacteria, and environmental factors all play a role, and ongoing studies hope to unlock the mysteries behind IBD.
Avery emphasized the importance of recognizing symptoms early. “Don’t ignore blood in your stool, frequent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, joint pain, fatigue, constipation, or stomach pain,” she advised. “If these occur, it’s crucial to seek medical advice without delay.”
Early diagnosis improves management, but many face delays. The initial diagnostic steps often include a faecal calprotectin test to measure bowel inflammation, followed by a colonoscopy—a procedure that uses a small camera to visually inspect the colon and rectum.
Though there is currently no cure for ulcerative colitis, treatments such as immunosuppressants and steroids help manage symptoms. New medications continue to emerge, offering hope for better control. In some cases, surgery to remove part of the bowel and create a stoma may be necessary. “Though life-changing, these procedures often bring positive outcomes and a new lease on life,” Avery added.
Chloe Meadows’ openness encourages others facing similar symptoms to seek medical help early and underscores the vital need for awareness about ulcerative colitis and its impact on lives.