Crohn’s Disease

Overview

Crohn’s Disease is a long-term inflammatory bowel condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract. Symptoms commonly include urgent or frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhoea and incontinence, such as fissures, fistulas or skin irritation. Flare-ups may cause severe urgency and increased bathroom frequency, while periods of remission may still involve discomfort, fatigue or sensitivity.

Toileting can be challenging due to urgency, pain, soreness, fatigue and increased hygiene needs.

According to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, there are over 500,000 people living with IBD (which includes Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), that equates to 1 in every 123 people.

Functional Toileting Challenges:

Increased urgency and frequency: Crohn’s can cause sudden and unpredictable bowel movements and many struggle to reach the toilet in time, leading to anxiety and reduced confidence using their home or public bathrooms

Pain, inflammation and sensitivity: Inflamed tissue, fissures or fistulas can make wiping extremely painful and sensitive

Fatigue and reduced endurance: Chronic fatigue during flare-ups makes repeated trips to the toilet an exhausting task

Risk of skin breakdown: Frequent diarrhoea or wiping can cause soreness, dermatitis or broken skin

Reduced ability to clean effectively: Pain or urgency during flare-ups can reduce the ability to wipe thoroughly, increasing the risk of infection and ongoing irritation

Anxiety and reduced confidence: Fear of pain, poor hygiene or accidents can significantly impact daily routines and independence

Impacts:

Incomplete hygiene tasks

Pain and repeated wiping can lead to hygiene issues increasing the risk of infection and discomfort

Loss of dignity

Difficulty during flare-ups may lead to dependence on carers

Reduced confidence

Anxiety around toileting can limit daily activities or cause avoidance of social situations

Ongoing discomfort

Continuous wiping can affect healing process and wellbeing

How our products help those with Crohn’s Disease

FEATURE	WHY IT HELPS
Palma Vita Wash and Dry Toilet	Provides improved hygiene, comfort and independence with integrated washing and drying functions, reducing the need for assistance and supporting accessibility.
Adult soft seat	Provide additional comfort and reduce the pain of sitting for long periods. The Closomat can be supplied with a choice of soft feel seats that are navy blue in colour
Douche (standard)	Supports personal hygiene and cleanliness, helping users maintain independence and comfort during toileting.

Closomat wash and dry toilet in a modern bathroom with a teal wall

Priority specification

Foundational

The Closomat Palma Vita with soft seat

Sample specification wording

The individual has Crohn’s Disease resulting in frequent bowel movements accompanied with episodes of pain and fatigue. These symptoms combined cause difficulty with manual wiping, maintaining hygiene and managing the toilet independently.

A Closomat Wash and Dry Toilet with a soft seat is recommended. The automatic wash and dry feature removes the need for manual wiping, significantly reducing the pain and irritation from frequent wiping and improving overall hygiene through protection of the skin and lowering the risk of infection. The addition of a soft seat provides a cushioned, gentle surface that reduces pressure and discomfort during prolonged or frequent toileting trips. It also helps prevent further flare ups and irritation.

This solution provides reliable, comfortable support for an individual living with a long-term bowel condition.

Final checks

Verify control placement for rapid, easy access

Ensure whole layout supports quick, safe access

Download the specification

Wash and dry toilet specification for Crohn's disease, with the recommended features and clinical justification.

Download