Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley has opened up about his battle against one debilitating health issue. The 54-year-old actor, known for his portrayal of Cain Dingle, has been grappling with Crohn’s since his early ’20s.
Jeff initially mistook his symptoms for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but eventually sought the advice of a nutritionist after periods of vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. While the condition is incurable, he shared his methods of dealing with it in a candid chat on the Another Day Another Collar podcast.
According to the Mirror, he recently said: “Crohn’s, no, I’m not anymore, but I was for years because I’ve had Crohn’s since I was 24, 25, and I’ve now managed to keep it under wraps because of diet.”
The NHS explains that Crohn’s disease is a life-long condition ‘where parts of the digestive system become inflamed’. Although its exact cause is unknown, experts believe it’s linked to several factors including genetics, previous illnesses and an abnormal balance of gut bacteria.
Jeff first noticed something was wrong at 20 years old, experiencing incredibly painful stomach cramps. At that time, he was studying drama at Manchester and recalled how the illness left him so drained that he ‘had to miss lectures’.
The severity of his condition even forced him to ‘drop out of [his] final year plays’. “Even though I tried to avoid foods that upset my digestive system, such as coffee and Chinese takeaways, I was still sick and tired and I kept losing weight,” he recounted in another previous conversation with the Express.
“I was a drama student in Manchester and sometimes I had to miss lectures because I was too tired. I even had to drop out of my final year plays.” While many sufferers are eager for ‘quick fixes’, Jeff said it was important for him to adopt a holistic approach when dealing with Crohn’s.
In an effort to stay healthy, he’s completely transformed his life, eating very much ‘seasonally’ to dodge uncomfortable symptoms. On the recent podcast, he reportedly said: “We eat very much seasonally – we eat from our allotment, from definitely June through to now. So, that’s how I’ve managed to do it and exercise and things like that.
“I’ve managed to avoid any medication, which not every Crohn’s sufferer manages to do, but that’s the way I’ve managed it.” Crucially, there is no ‘special diet’ that can help with Crohn’s, but NHS guidance also asserts that food choices can improve its symptoms.
Experts at the University Hospitals Sussex explain: “There is no specific diet for Crohn’s disease and you will only make short term modifications to your diet to preserve or promote your nutritional status or to improve symptoms. It is important to note that dietary changes can only help to improve symptoms and will not reduce inflammation in your bowel.”
Anyone experiencing a flare up is encouraged to eat more protein-rich foods including meat, fish, eggs, tofu and dairy. Drinking at least eight cups of water per day while limiting caffeine and alcohol intake is recommended too.
“When you are experiencing a flare you may need more energy and protein due to inflammation and healing,” its advice adds. “Also depending on where your inflammation is you may have difficulty digesting and absorbing the food you eat.”