Honoring IBS Awareness Month in April

IBS patient bedridden during an exacerbationDid you know that April also serves as an important time to help raise public awareness for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? This is because it is IBS Awareness Month. So, if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms of IBS, then please do not ignore them. Studies have shown that there are many people with this disorder who choose not to discuss their struggle with anyone else, not even their doctor. In order to help change this, advocacy groups are encouraging more people to talk about IBS as this is one of the best ways to finally end the negative stigma that has been associated with this medical condition.

A Common Disorder of the Gut

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder which can lead to abdominal pain and severe complications within the bowel. If you have been diagnosed with IBS, then you could experience any number of symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, pain, or some variation of all of these indications.

The people who develop this chronic disorder often must struggle with varying levels of intestinal discomfort every day. On the other hand, the intensity of these symptoms are often unpredictable and can be quite different from case to case. When irritable bowel syndrome is not properly managed, then this disorder can cause problems that impact a person’s entire life. IBS does not just affect some physically, but it also takes an emotional toll as well. In some cases, it may even deter a person from pursuing some of their dreams or aspirations.

Don’t Let IBS Rule Your Life

However, you don’t need to let your IBS control your life in this way. Instead of hiding the fact that you have this disorder, try being more open about your struggles with the important people in your life. Their support can help to relieve the stress that you are dealing with, plus this can also help improve your IBS symptoms. In fact, many people who choose to be more open about their medical condition are surprised to find that others the know have been dealing with the same problems in silence too. Also, there are some really good IBS support groups out there for anyone who has been having problems discussing their condition with their loved ones.

Support for More Research on IBS

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disorder, but better treatments are being developed in ongoing IBS clinical trials. If people continue to support innovative research projects, than someday medical researchers will be able to discover a cure for IBS. As it stands, the pharmaceutical companies and the government are the ones who are deciding the direction of new research and development projects, but IBS advocates can also have a say in the matter too. Advocates for irritable bowel syndrome are making their voices heard and are ensuring that clinical investigators continue to learn more about this common disorder.

National advocacy groups have been helping to honor IBS Awareness Month every year during the month of April for almost twenty years now. Each year, they are helping more people realize that they don’t need to feel isolated when it comes to their medical condition. In fact, the “Don’t Suffer in Silence” theme has become a major part of their public awareness campaign.