Being ill is never fun - but when your symptoms aren't always visible, it can be hard to explain to people just how sick you're feeling, and how much it affects your day-to-day life.
This is often the case for sufferers of inflamatory bowel conditions such Crohns and Colitis, which can cause symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation and fatigue, amongst others, but may not be immediately obvious to outside observers.
Many people with inflamatory bowel disease, also known as IBD, spend much of their time suffering in silence, but now members of the community are breaking down stigmas and sharing their stories on social media in the hopes of raising awareness of their plight.
Mum-of-three Tiffany Anderson shared her story on the Crohns and Colitis Facebook page, explaining the motivation behind her honest post.
'It took a lot for me to post this picture but I just wanted to raise some awareness for a chronic Illness called IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease - the main forms being Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis).'
'It can be invisible and I can look normal but still be in agony on the inside. Today I'm having a bad time with all the things that come with IBD. People are quick to judge me but you all forget you don't know my story - so please think before you speak!'
Image: Facebook/Crohn's and Colitis UK
Tiffany posted her message as a reminder that even if you don't look ill, you can be suffering inside
Speaking later in an interview with Metro UK, she added 'I struggle with sickness really badly, not one day goes by where I'm not being sick or suffering with cramps.'
'I'm always tired it's just so draining. I have three children, and it's horrible them hearing me sick and cry.'
Tiffany's picture has been shared more than 1,500 times since she added it to the page, and she's not the only one - other followers have been posting their own pleas for members of the public to educate themselves on the sometimes invisible illness.
Image: Facebook/Crohn's and Colitis UK
'I'm Lisa, 28, from Dublin and I've had Ulcerative Colitis since 2004,' the poster of this picture wrote alongside. 'Recently I had the worst flare-up ever and now I've a temporary stoma called 'Sheldon'. I may keep it as it's helped me so much in the last three months. This is a collage of me during my #GoodAndBadDays'
Both girls have received hundreds of supportive comments from people who have experience with the illness themselves.
'I still see a beautiful woman, i have crohns too and its emotionally wearing, you have the right to have a good cry,' one wellwisher wrote, whilst another said 'You are beautiful. Stay strong for your good days and bad.'
Crohn's and Colitis UK are fundraising to fight inflammatory bowel disease. To support their campaign, text GUTS22 £5 (or any amount) to 70070 or visit www.justgiving.com/crohnsandcolitisuk to make a charity donation.
