By Emma Birchley, Sky News East of England Correspondent
A woman's decision to post a picture of herself sunbathing with her colostomy bag on show has inspired dozens of other young people to do the same.
The photograph of Bethany Townsend, 23, has been seen by more than 12 million people worldwide as part of drive to increase understanding of different forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
Her action has prompted 20-year-old Ricky Babra to speak to Sky News about life before and after he had his large intestine removed, and a colostomy bag fitted in May 2013 due to ulcerative colitis.
Ricky Babra said having his large intestine removed changed his life "Previously when I was in a bad state I would not leave my house so all my friends were going out and enjoying themselves and I would be like 'I can't make it today' or they wouldn't see me in school for about a month."
But he says his operation has transformed his health and changed his life and that having a colostomy bag is just part of who he is.
"It's made me feel so much better. It's lifted so many restrictions. I can go out without worrying too much," he said.
"I'm not on any medication which has made me so happy. I can live my life like a normal person."
Every year 18,000 people find out they have either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
In the case of Crohn's, any part of the digestive system can be affected, while ulcerative colitis is found in the colon and rectum.
The 20-year-old says having a colostomy bag is just part of who he is Symptoms include pain in the abdomen, diarrhoea, weight loss and tiredness.
The problem, according to David Barker, chief executive of Crohn's and Colitis UK, is that they are "invisible diseases".
"They are not diseases people really want to talk about. They are embarrassing conditions," said Mr Barker.
"We have a duty to the increasing number of people with Crohn's and colitis to ensure we get greater awareness, greater profile and ultimately greater understanding for these conditions."
But there is real concern about just how many young people like Ricky and Bethany are being diagnosed with some form of inflammatory bowel disease.
Dr Jeremy Sanderson, a consultant gastroenterologist at London Bridge Hospital, said: "A lot of the people we see are young. The average age is between 20 and 30.
"It gets them just at the time they don't need it, a critical time in school, just gone to university, they're just starting their first job and just when things seem to be going right, their tummy lets them down."
Dr Sanderson said it was crucial that patients are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
The two conditions affect at least 260,000 people in the UK.
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