IBS Awareness Month 2023

IBS Awareness Month is supported by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder (IFFGD), a non profit organization.

IBS Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about IBS. This event encourages people who have symptoms of IBS to seek medical advice. A further aim is to reduce the stigma associated with IBS by encouraging people to talk more about this condition.

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a disorder in which a person experiences chronic, recurrent bowel problems and abdominal pain. Bowel problems may include constipation, diarrhea, pain or a combination of these.

A person with IBS will experience intestinal discomfort on a daily basis. However, the frequency and severity of IBS symptoms are not predictable and can vary. If IBS is not managed, this disorder can be disruptive to all aspects of a persons life. IBS can affect a person physically and emotionally and limit their individual potential in terms of educational attainment and career goals. IBS can also have an impact on relationships.

While the cause of IBS is not known, it is thought that the symptoms of IBS are brought on by a disruption to the interaction between brain, nervous system and gut. Many people believe that stress is a cause of IBS. However this is not the case although stress can make the symptoms of IBS worse or trigger them.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), it's estimated that between 9-23% of the global population is affected by IBS; over 30 million people in the United States have this condition. IBS is also more common in females accounting for two out of every three cases.

IBS cannot be cured, however once medical assistance is sort and the condition managed, IBS may give minimal or no disruption to a persons life.

In many cases, people with IBS do not seek help or even discuss it with other people. The word 'bowel' can bring negative connotations; many people do not the word 'bowel' associated with them.

The month of April was first desigated as IBS Awareness Month in 1997 and 'Don't Suffer In Silence' is a common theme used in this awareness campaign

For more information on IBS and IBS Awareness Month visit the IFFGD website.