When we think of Australia’s health challenges, our minds often jump to well-known conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or the ever-present threat of skin cancer. These illnesses receive significant attention, funding, and public awareness campaigns, helping many Australians recognise symptoms early and seek timely treatment.
But there’s another condition quietly sweeping the nation, affecting more Australians every year, often in silence and with little public understanding.
It’s called Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD); if you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. Yet, with cases skyrocketing, it’s time we all paid attention.
IBD is an umbrella term for two main autoimmune conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract, causing chronic inflammation.
Crohn’s can strike anywhere along the digestive system, but most often targets the bowels. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, is limited to the colon and rectum, causing painful ulcers and inflammation.
People with this disease may look perfectly healthy, but inside, they’re often battling severe abdominal pain, relentless diarrhoea, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms that can make daily life a struggle.
Australia now has one of the highest rates of IBD in the world. According to the latest State of the Nation Report, the number of Australians living with IBD has soared from 100,000 a decade ago to around 180,000 today.
And the trend shows no sign of slowing, with projections suggesting we’ll hit 200,000 cases within the next ten years. What’s particularly concerning is that IBD isn’t just a disease of older adults.
Dr Vincent Ho, a gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University, points out that while cases are increasing in those over 65, we’re also seeing more children, even those under six, being diagnosed.
For young people like Natasha Jiwani, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in her early twenties, the experience can be isolating.
‘Walking into a gastroenterologist’s waiting room, I was the only one in my twenties. Everyone else was 60 or older. There was a lot of confusion,’ she recalled.
Why is IBD becoming so common?
The answer, unfortunately, isn’t simple. While genetics plays a role, environmental factors are increasingly under the microscope. Dr Ho highlights several risk factors:
- Tobacco smoke: Exposure increases risk, especially for Crohn’s.
- Antibiotics and certain medications: Overusing antibiotics and drugs like Nurofen or Voltaren (NSAIDs) can disrupt gut health.
- Infections: Some gut infections may trigger the disease in susceptible individuals.
- Diet: Perhaps the most intriguing—and modifiable—risk factor.
A recent world-first study from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research found that just a few meals high in saturated fats can trigger inflammation in the body.
These foods also suppress a crucial protein, IL-22, which helps protect the gut. The good news? Unsaturated fats—like those found in nuts and avocados—boost IL-22 production, potentially offering some protection.
For many, managing IBD is a lifelong journey. There’s no cure (yet), but treatment and lifestyle changes can make a world of difference. Jiwani, for example, has found that eating well is key.
‘If I’m living off fast food for a week, my Crohn’s is much worse. When I cook healthy meals at home, my body is healthier and my symptoms are better controlled.’
Dr Ho agrees: ‘A high-quality diet rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, and fibre is considered protective.’
While diet alone won’t cure IBD, it can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups. Early diagnosis is also crucial. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Persistent changes in bowel habits
- Blood or mucus in stools
- Abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
If you notice these signs, don’t suffer in silence—see your GP and ask about IBD.
One of the biggest challenges for people with IBD is the stigma.
Leanne Raven, chief executive officer of Crohn’s and Colitis Australia, explained, ‘Because it’s below the belly button, people don’t necessarily talk about it. Many become isolated, trying to manage their condition alone.’
But awareness is growing, and organisations are working hard to shatter the silence.
Jiwani believes more open conversations are vital: ‘Awareness, raising funds, and clarifying the support available is so important.’
Have you or someone you know been affected by IBD? What’s your experience with gut health, and do you have any tips for managing symptoms? Share your thoughts in the comments below and help break the silence around this hidden epidemic.
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