27-year-old kept her symptoms a secret because she was too ‘embarrassed’ - a scary diagnosis later, she’s urging others not to
Hiding medical symptoms out of embarrassment might feel like the best choice at the moment, but it may cost you far more than a little discomfort later. When Armagh-based woman Alex Lyons noticed bleeding in her stool and was dealing with bowel issues, she hid the secret from others, fearing embarrassment. However, a life-threatening diagnosis revealed the truth, with the young woman now advocating to take health seriously. According to the BBC on March 20, 2026, the woman was rushed to undergo an emergency surgery, which saved her life.
The Twenty-one-year-old noticed that she was having frequent bowel movements and spotted blood stains in her stool. Earlier, Lyons' twin brother Joe had a bowel removal surgery due to a chronic disease. Lyons, who was worried about putting her family through a similar trauma, wasn't ready to disclose her symptoms. Moreover, she was embarrassed to reveal her bowel issues to her friends and family. Unfortunately, the symptoms progressed, and she was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the following year. She was given treatment but it was too late to work and she had to undergo an emergency surgery.
Following the surgery, she now admits her regret over not having been diagnosed earlier. "I think I would've gone a little longer without losing my bowel had I gone to the doctor earlier," she said. Interestingly, her brother also hid his symptoms before his diagnosis. Both of the siblings were suffering from aggressive forms of the disease, which made surgery inevitable. Lyons was suffering from ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD.
@alex.lyonss What is a stoma? I hope I answered that clearly enough in this video! Thank you all for all of your questions I will answer all of them shortly!
♬ original sound - Alex Lyons
Calling her brother a hero, the woman noted that he has been guiding her in her journey. She has also been documenting her journey on social media to spread more awareness about medical issues. "I wasn't going to let this stop me from going outside, stop me from wearing my favorite clothes. I was posting on TikTok before, I wasn't going to let it stop me from doing any of that," she remarked.
@alex.lyonss IM GOING HOME!! Thank you thank you thank you for all of the kindess and support you have all shown me I am beyond grateful! Wow! I love you all!
♬ original sound - Alex Lyons
According to the Cleveland Clinic, ulcerative colitis causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. The disease affects the large intestine, and the first symptoms include frequent and urgent bowel movements, often with blood, pus, or mucus. The report notes that it is generally caused by an overactive immune response along with genetic factors, which was seen in Lyon's and her brother's cases.
@alex.lyonss My first shower in 7 weeks!! Kinda crazy lol. When you’re on deaths door a shower is the least of your worries trust me! This disease has taken alot from me but it won’t take my pamper days! #stoma #ulcerativecolitis #recovery #pamper ♬ original sound - Alex Lyons
It was also mentioned that the treatment focuses on managing inflammation through the use of anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressants, or biologic therapies. Many medical symptoms are often not disclosed due to discomfort, but speaking up sooner matters the most. What may seem like a minor issue that can resolve on its own may develop into a serious health problem if it is not addressed in due time. As noted by Lyons, the earlier the diagnosis and timely treatment, the better it is to avoid adverse situations.
You can follow Alex Lyons (@alex.lyonss) on TikTok for more content on health and lifestyle.