Louise Thompson reveals she is using a ‘lifesaving’ stoma: What is ulcerative colitis?

Louise Thompson rose to fame thanks to the reality TV show Made in Chelsea. Since then, she has become a prominent figure on social media and has shared her life with her followers. The reality TV star shared that she had her son but nearly died during childbirth and now suffers from PTSD in 2021, as per Daily Mail.

Moreover, Louise Thompson, whose brother, Sam Thompson has ADHD, shared that she suffers from two conditions, the autoimmune disease, lupus and the bowel condition ulcerative colitis.

On her Instagram, Louise shared a very important update concerning her treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Louise Thompson has a stoma bag

Louise Thompson shared on her Instagram account that she now has a stoma bag to help manage her ulcerative colitis. The reality TV star explained that it is ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’.

As per Daily Mail, Louise was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2018 and has had several trips to the hospital due to the condition. Her last hospital stay was in early 2024 when she spent two weeks in the hospital due to a flare-up during a holiday.

Speaking to her fans through a video, Louise Thompson admitted that her announcement wasn’t ‘exciting’ but that she needed to share her health update. Louise revealed her stoma bag on her stomach which she dubbed ‘bum bag’ and hoped it would lead to a better life:

Hey look i've got a stoma!

So I guess i'll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.

The Made in Chelsea star admitted that the stoma bag ‘may well have saved her life’ and asked her followers to ‘be kind’ as it is a vulnerable moment to share.

Naturally, Louise Thompson received messages of support, including from her brother’s girlfriend, Zara McDermott, who wished her well:

When you think about it, it's a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it's time for you.

What is ulcerative colitis?

As mentioned above, Louise Thompson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2018 but what is this condition that required her to get a stoma?

According to Daily Mail, ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition which causes the rectum and colon to become inflamed. The condition also causes small ulcers to form on the colon’s lining, sometimes causing it to bleed.

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition and according to the UK Crohn's & Colitis UK charity, 1 in every 227 people are diagnosed with the condition. Ulcerative colitis can manifest at any age, but it is typically diagnosed in people between 15 and 25 years old, as per the NHS.

There is no cure for ulcerative colitis but the condition can be managed over time. One of the ways to manage it is with a stoma bag. A stoma is when you have a surgically created opening in your abdomen. The opening is made to divert the urine and excrement flow.

Read more:

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Sources used:

Daily Mail: ‘Louise Thompson, 34, reveals she has had a stoma bag fitted and says 'it saved my life' after debilitating battle with ulcerative colitis’

NHS: ‘Ulcerative colitis’

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