Crohn's Disease, is on the rise in Scotland, particularly among children and no-one knows why. The disease is part of the family of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD and there is no cure. Worryingly the number of children in Scotland being diagnosed with Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, both in the family of IBD, has risen by 75% in the last decade.

The reasons for this are unclear, but Crohn's is a 'western disease' in that it is more common in affluent countries. Those living in Scotland are also more likely to develop Crohn's disease than in any other part of the UK. While Crohn's is genetic, the disease has to be triggered by environmental factors.

Experts are divided as to what exactly these are though, and we explore the different possible reasons. We also tell the poignant and moving stories of those living with Crohn's disease - young and old, including one woman one who may get the opportunity to go through an experimental hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a new treatment which is offering hope to many. Show less