🚽 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) April Awareness

📅 In 1997, International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) designated April as IBS Awareness Month in the U.S. National Health Observances calendar.⁣

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🔸 An estimate of 10 - 15% of the population is affected by IBS⁣

🔸 Up to 45 million people living in the United States suffer from the condition⁣

🔸 20-40% of all visits to the gastroenterologist are due to IBS⁣

🔸 Approx 2 in 3 patients are female⁣

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❓ What is IBS?⁣

IBS is a condition that affects the digestive system. The disease generally causes stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation and can be ongoing for weeks, months or longer at a time. The exact cause for this condition is unknown but research is ongoing⁣

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🔍 Symptoms⁣

🔺Abdominal pain⁣

🔺Diarrhea and/or constipation⁣

🔺Bloating⁣

🔺Cramping⁣

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Some experience symptoms that are just mild while others have severe daily bowel problems that affects their ability to work, sleep and enjoy life⁣

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🧪 Diagnosis⁣

There is no test for IBS but tests are done to rule out other potential causes of similar symptoms⁣

Blood tests⁣

Stool sample⁣

Colonoscopy⁣

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👨🏻‍⚕️ Treatment/Prevention⁣

Since no one knows the cause of IBS, it is impossible to prevent the disorder. Once diagnosed, a person may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms by reducing stress or changing the diet⁣.

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✅ Do’s⁣

🥗 Majority of food eaten is homemade or fresh⁣

📖 Keep a diary of everything you eat in order to track what triggers symptoms⁣

💊 Take probiotics to help with the overall health of your digestive system⁣

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🚫 Don’t’s⁣

🌭Eat unhealthy processed foods⁣

☕️ Drink alcohol, caffeine or carbonated drinks⁣

🥓 Fatty food, whole milk, cheese, and butter⁣

🤤 Eat too quickly ⁣

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Image by JimCoote

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