In 1997, the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) designated April as IBS Awareness Month.

Worldwide the prevalence of IBS is estimated at 10% to 15%. Here in NZ it’s estimated 15% of the population experiences IBS. Yet many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder. Worldwide, it’s estimated up to 45 million people are suffering with the disorder daily yet only 40% of them will seek medical help.

Why?

Because IBS remains a poorly-understood condition. Hence the theme for this year’s IBS Awareness Month, which is to increase public awareness about the condition and help destigmatize it. This is important because at the moment people experiencing IBS often feel too embarrassed or uncomfortable to talk about their symptoms. In a recent survey conducted by IFFGD, nearly 2,000 patients reported that they suffered from IBS symptoms for 6.6 years before being seeking medical help!

Speaking about this year’s event, IFFGD President Ceciel T. Rooker says: "We hope that this event and this year's awareness campaign will help educate, uplift, and encourage those living with IBS and the general public. As of recently, it has become easier to access education materials. Hopefully, utilizing this access will make us more consciously aware of the impacts of many illnesses such as IBS. As we raise awareness this month, we hope to continue to break the stigmas that are commonly associated with IBS."

The IFFGD website - https://aboutibs.org/ has a lot of IBS related information. You can also use the hashtags #IBSAwarenessMonth and #LifeWithIBS to obtain more information.

If you experience IBS, you know that the symptoms can flare up unexpectedly and change over time, even day to day. And you know how the symptoms significantly impact the quality of your life.

There is no one size fits all treatment for IBS but the right, individualized approach can transform your life and give you back your quality of life. That approach should in my opinion include gut directed hypnotherapy.