A summer school on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is to be held in Dublin next month.

The ‘Back to IBD School' will involve a series of patient information and education sessions and is being hosted by Tallaght University Hospital. It is returning following strong demand for similar sessions run last year.

IBD refers to the conditions Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. There is no known cause or cure and some 20,000 Irish people are affected.

The conditions have similar symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. Left uncontrolled, symptoms may flare up, causing severe abdominal pain and frequent visits to the bathroom. If parts of the colon become too inflamed, patients may need surgery and a life-long colostomy bag.

The summer school will include talks by consultant gastroenterologist, Dr Anthony O'Connor, who will discuss the IBD patient's journey, and clinical psychologist, Dr Alex Concannon, who will look at the psychological aspects of coping with the disease.

Other topics that will be discussed include medication and diet.

"This event is a very important opportunity to increase awareness and knowledge of IBD. We have excellent contributors with specialist knowledge of many different aspect of the disease who will provide vital information on how to look after yourself, or anyone you know suffering from IBD," commented Dr O'Connor.

The summer school will take place on Wednesday, July 4, from 4pm to 6.30pm at the Trinity College Dublin Institute of Population Health, Russell Building, Tallaght Cross, Dublin 24.

The event is open to all members of the public and those who wish to register should email tallaghtibdschool@gmail.com