One in five Irish people suffer from IBS

Females are twice as likely to be affected as males with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with one in five Irish people suffering from the condition (700 million worldwide). April is ‘IBS Awareness Month’ and although IBS is a common condition, often stigmatised and misunderstood, the symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life for many patients.

Women with IBS are estimated to be at significantly higher risk of undergoing a hysterectomy. IBS can be trigged by menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause and endometriosis. Stress is now known to be a contributor for IBS sufferers.

The condition can take a toll on people, with sufferers carrying spare toilet tissue and researching the location of toilets before going out. Emotionally, people can feel depressed, anxious and have low self-confidence.

The signs of IBS used to be too embarrassing for people even to mention, but now they’re all over TikTok. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is enjoying a moment in the spotlight with hashtags and trends on social media, including ‘Hot girls with IBS’ and ‘all hot girls have stomach problems’. Although tongue in cheek, the impact of this movement should not be underestimated.

Irish pharmacist Laura Dowling, AKA The Fabulous Pharmacist, believes that speaking out about this is a very positive thing.

She says: “It is great to see people willing to talk about their bowel movements. In addition to normalising a bodily function that everyone has, this trend is helping people become aware of common digestive issues such as diarrhoea, constipation and bloating and encouraging people to take more interest in their own gut health. IBS is a complex and debilitating condition for which there is no known cause. However, people often ignore the signs.”

TIPS

Laura’s top tips for managing IBS include: a) Cook homemade meals and try to use fresh ingredients when you can; b) Keep a food diary- record what you eat and any symptoms you get. You will begin to see a pattern. Avoid foods that trigger your IBS; c) Find ways to relax such as yoga, breath exercises and reading; d) Get plenty of exercise or introduce exercise into your daily routine; e) Try a probiotic.

Talking about IBS with your friends and family might not be easy, but it can make your life easier. By having a more open conversation about IBS, you can reduce your stress and make it easier for people to understand what you’re going through.