Reality TV star Kwame Appiah is urging his followers to take their health seriously and be vigilant for unusual symptoms, as he opens up about his diagnosis. The Love is Blind US star shared that doctors initially suspected cancer as they tried to determine the cause of his symptoms.
He revealed that he has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a long-term condition characterised by inflammation of the colon and rectum, according to NHS guidelines. This can lead to the development of small ulcers on the lining of the colon, which can bleed and produce pus.
For some, the condition can be extremely painful, with stress often triggering flare-ups. In an Instagram video, Appiah admitted: “I didn’t take it too seriously,” before detailing how his condition worsened over a month.
“And then next thing you know, we’re about a month in. So here’s why that month of waiting really hurt. Because by the time I actually got to the doctor in December, I was having fevers for about three weeks. I had lost 20 pounds.”
He continued: “One, just a quick reminder that life is incredibly precious. I didn’t realise how important the normal things I did in my day were for me until I couldn’t do them. Lesson number two, small things can lead to big problems if we ignore them. So don’t,” he said. “Lesson number three, information is everything. You have to know what it is if you are going to fight it.”, reports the Mirror.
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
The NHS has provided some key insights, stating: “The severity of the symptoms varies, depending on how much of the rectum and colon is inflamed and how severe the inflammation is. For some people, the condition has a significant impact on their everyday lives.”
Signs and symptoms include:
- recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, mucus or pus
- tummy pain
- needing to poo frequently
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
So what signs might indicate a flare-up of ulcerative colitis?
Individuals experience this condition differently – some may face weeks or even months of mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, the latter being known as remission. However, there are times when symptoms can become particularly distressing, known as flare-ups or relapses.
In addition to intestinal discomfort, during a flare-up, sufferers can also have extra-intestinal symptoms. Although there is no surefire trigger for flare-ups, a gut infection could be the catalyst. Stress has been flagged as another potential contributor.
During a flare-up, some people with ulcerative colitis also experience symptoms elsewhere in their body which is known as extra-intestinal symptoms. These can include:
- painful and swollen joints (arthritis)
- mouth ulcers
- swollen fat under the skin causing bumps and patches – this is known as erythema nodosum
- irritated and red eyes
- problems with bones, such as osteoporosis
When should I see a doctor?
It is imperative to discuss symptoms with a healthcare professional, especially since the NHS warns of serious risks associated with ulcerative colitis, such as an increased chance of bowel cancer and significant effects on growth and development in the younger population.