FacebookAn estimated 25 to 45 million Americans are affected by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As common as this digestive disorder is, however, many people remain undiagnosed. The subject of digestive disorders is still somewhat of a taboo topic as well, which is why IBS awareness month was created.
Observed in April of each year, IBS Awareness Month was founded by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) in 1997. In partnership with IFFDG, patients, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to help destigmatize IBS and increase public awareness about the condition.
Debunking 5 Myths About IBS
Perhaps the best way to honor IBS Awareness Month, as well as those who struggle with it, is to build on your own knowledge of the condition and use that knowledge to teach others. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation out there about IBS which can make this mission more of a challenge.
Here are 5 myths about IBS that you can help debunk this year:
1. IBS only causes digestive symptoms.
False! While many people with IBS experience bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and/or constipation, living with the disease can also contribute to psychological problems. A 2018 study published in Cureus concluded that there is a multifactorial association between IBS and depression.
Some of the more uncommon symptoms of IBS include weight loss, anemia, fever, and rectal bleeding. For some people, symptoms occur in the middle of the night and, while IBS isn’t known to decrease life expectancy, it can certainly have a negative impact on quality of life.
2. IBS can be cured with treatment.
False! Not only does IBS have no cure, but the majority of patients seeking treatment for IBS report that it doesn’t provide the relief they desire. A 2012 study revealed that only 12.8% of IBS patients were satisfied with their prescribed IBS treatment.
Treatment of IBS is generally focused on relieving symptoms to improve quality of life. Making dietary or lifestyle changes and managing stress can help ease mild symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, recommended treatments may involve taking fiber supplements, using laxatives, or taking medication to prevent diarrhea and painful bowel spasms.
3. IBS affects men and women to the same degree.
False! An estimated 1 in 7 people around the world struggle with IBS – this equates to roughly 25 to 45 million people. Though you might imagine that the condition affects men and women equally, two-thirds of people diagnosed with IBS are women.
While there isn’t a great deal of research to explain this phenomenon, women seem more likely to develop gastrointestinal disorders than men. Some studies suggest it has something to do with differences in brain chemistry. Women, for example, tend to have higher levels of GABA (Ƴ-aminobutyric acid) which interacts with the neurons that control digestion.
4. Diagnosing IBS is fairly simple and straightforward.
False! Because IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, it can be very challenging to diagnose. When viewed under a microscope, the gut tissue of a person with IBS looks normal. It isn’t a structural problem, so there’s no definitive way to test for IBS. Rather, diagnosis of IBS usually involves ruling out other conditions like Crohn’s Disease.
In addition to ruling out other digestive disorders, medical professionals check to see whether symptoms align with the Rome criteria. The Rome criteria include symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain at least one day a week withing the last three months (on average). The abdominal pain must be associated with two or more of the following:
- Related to defecation (either increasing or improving pain)
- Associated with a change in stool frequency
- Associated with a change in stool form (appearance)
Even with recurring symptoms, it takes time to diagnose IBS. In fact, a recent survey revealed that the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is 6.6 years.
5. IBS doesn’t have any effect on daily life.
The term “functional gastrointestinal disorder” is a little bit misleading. It doesn’t mean that all people who struggle with IBS are able to function with no negative impact on their daily life. It simply refers to abnormal function of the GI tract which causes symptoms.
In reality, flare-ups of IBS can impede your ability to perform daily tasks. Severe abdominal pain, urgent trips to the bathroom, and chronic depression or anxiety make it difficult to work, go to school, or socialize normally. According to a 2009 study, IBS patients reported that their condition restricted daily activity an average of 73 days per year – that’s roughly 1 out of every 5 days.
How Can You Get Involved & Help?
The more people are aware about IBS, the greater the chance of changing the stigma surrounding the condition. As more people learn about IBS, people who have been suffering in silence may be encouraged to seek diagnosis and get the treatment they need to live a better life.
Here are a few ways you can spread awareness and support the cause:
- Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS to start the process of obtaining a diagnosis and treatment.
- Download the IFFGD’s IBS Awareness Month Toolkit and share it on social media or send it to your local media outlet.
- Become an advocate for digestive health by calling your legislators and asking them to support the Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act.
- Stay connected with the latest about IBS care, research, and treatment by subscribing to the IFFGD’s free e-newsletter.
- Start a fundraiser online or in your local community to benefit people suffering from chronic digestive conditions like IBS.
- Support the IFFGD directly with a monetary donation to help fund educational outreach and life-changing research about chronic digestive conditions.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, share your story with friends, family, and members of your community to raise awareness.
To learn more about IBS or how to get involved with the effort to spread awareness, check out the IFFGD website. Here you’ll find plenty of IBS resources as well as media toolkits, posters, and more for IBS Awareness Month.
