Three quarters of Irish people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease feel isolated

"Life with IBD in Ireland is filled with anxiety."

Three quarters of Irish people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease feel isolated, with almost 90 percent saying that they feel anxious about bathroom availability when they go somewhere new. The study, carried out by the Irish Society for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (ISCC), showed that 75 percent of patients living with the condition feel isolated on a day-to-day basis. A higher number (78 percent) said that the disease has negatively affected their mental health. To mark World IBD Day on May 19, the ISCC has launched a new app to help people in Ireland who are struggling with the condition. 'IBDWELL' includes an array of useful functions and support information to help improve the day-to-day life of those living with IBD. The app allows users to access the following features:

• Tag, review and provide feedback on facilities and public toilets nearby with innovative “Restroom” function
• Track health, diet and medication to make healthcare appointments more efficient
• Display clear “No Waiting” card when sufferers urgently need to access a toilet in a public place
• Connect and share personal experiences and ask questions to other people living with IBD
• Access useful content, videos, audio features, FAQs, exercises, practical self-help, mindfulness, ISCC contact details, blogs, news and the full ISCC website

It is estimated that about 40,000 people are currently living with IBD in Ireland. The ISCC's chairman Bruno Lucas said that the app is a "vital tool" that should help those living with IBD to manage their condition better. “Our new research reveals that life with IBD in Ireland is filled with anxiety, with a lot of patients feeling that it is difficult to access information and resources to help manage their condition," he said. "We developed the new ‘IBDWELL’ app to help the estimated 40,000 people living with IBD in Ireland to better manage their condition on a day-to-day basis. "The app is a vital new tool that we hope will also facilitate more efficiency in terms of healthcare provision as sufferers can provide healthcare professionals with precise details on their day to day management of the disease." You can download the IBDWELL app from Google Play Store now, or from the App Store in the coming days.