April 2024 - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month

Shining a spotlight on IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about IBS and providing support for those affected. The initiative has been going since 1997.

In 2024, the focus is on:

encouraging open discussions about IBS.
fostering a better understanding and awareness of the condition and the quality of life issues for people living with IBS.
promoting a better understanding of IBS.
encouraging individuals with gastrointestinal problems like IBS to seek help and support.

The month-long event comprises various activities and events aimed at educating the public, healthcare professionals, and individuals about IBS. The highlight of the month is World IBS Day on April 19th.

The Importance of raising awareness for IBS

Raising awareness about IBS is vital for several reasons.

Firstly, it helps to break the stigma surrounding the condition. The public has many presumptions and misunderstandings regarding IBS. By increasing public knowledge and understanding of IBS, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those affected.
Secondly, awareness campaigns can help individuals with undiagnosed IBS recognize their symptoms and seek appropriate medical help.
Lastly, raising awareness can encourage further research and funding for better treatments and support systems for individuals with IBS. People with symptoms that are compatible with an IBS diagnosis IBS are often neither taken seriously (enough) nor provided with the help and support they need from general medical practitioners and gastroenterologists.

So what is IBS?

IBS is the most common disorder of the digestive system that primarily affects the large colon. It’s a syndrome which means it comprises several symptoms. The most common symptoms being abdominal pain and abnormal bowel habits.

IBS prevalence and impact

IBS affects an estimated 10% to 15% of the global population, with many cases going undiagnosed. It’s more prevalent in women, suggesting hormonal factors might play a role. It can develop at any age, although it’s most common in people between 20 and 40 years of age.

What causes IBS?

The exact cause of IBS remains unknown IBS and researchers think IBS may have a combination of causes. Some potential causes include:

miscommunication between the gut and brain along the gut-brain axis.
a significant episode of diarrhea due to bacterial or viral infection, known as gastroenteritis.
an excess of bacteria in the intestines, referred to as bacterial overgrowth.
changes in the gut microbiome.
chronic stress. When our survival system is triggered, our digestive system is down regulated. Over time, this can cause hypersensitivity and altered bowel movements.
a family history of IBS.

Triggers and maintaining factors

While the exact cause of IBS remains unknown, several factors, including food allergies, chronic stress, and hormonal changes, can trigger and/or maintain symptoms.

IBS Symptoms

One of the most challenging aspects of IBS is that it can manifest differently in each individual. The primary symptoms are abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or both. Other symptoms include feeling tired, feeling sick, backache and bladder symptoms. People can suffer for days, weeks, months or years. Symptoms can fluctuate in severity and frequency.

Abdominal pain is required for a diagnosis of IBS.

During digestion, the bowel squeezes its contents along our insides towards the anus. This process (peristalsis) is usually painless, and we do not realise that it’s happening. However, people experiencing IBS have greater sensitivity in their intestines and so they are more aware of food, waste and gas moving through their digestive tract. They sense this movement as pain or discomfort.

The impact of IBS on daily life

Living with IBS can be extremely challenging. The unpredictable nature of the symptoms can make it difficult to engage in social activities, travel, or even hold a steady job. Many individuals with IBS may feel isolated or misunderstood due to the invisible nature of the condition. The constant fear of experiencing symptoms in public can cause anxiety and limit one’s participation in daily life. Here are some global findings:

Work and Productivity:

IBS symptoms affect productivity for an average of 8.0 days per month, with approximately 1.5 days of work or school missed monthly due to the condition.
A notable 41% of individuals with IBS have missed a day of work or school because of severe symptoms, and 16% have been absent for a week or more.

Psychological Impact:

The condition is closely linked to worry and anxiety.
IBS can contribute to feelings of depression in those experiencing the condition.

Social Impact

A significant 56% of individuals with IBS report becoming preoccupied with food and its potential effects, while 58% feel misunderstood by friends and family, highlighting the emotional toll of living with this disorder.

Resources and support for individuals experiencing IBS

For individuals living with IBS, it’s essential to know that support is available. There are many resources and organisations dedicated to providing information, support, and advocacy for those affected by IBS. These resources include online support groups, helplines, and websites (such as this one) that offer reliable and evidence-based information about IBS. Additionally, healthcare professionals specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroenterologists or dietitians, can provide personalized guidance and support for managing IBS symptoms.

IBS Symptom Management Strategies

Management strategies include gut directed hypnotherapy (GDH), medication, dietary adjustments and chronic stress reduction.

Gut Directed Hypnotherapy for IBS

GDH is perhaps the less well known of the IBS treatments, despite being available for over forty years, so I want to shed the spotlight on it here.

Research has found that gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) offers significant, long-lasting relief to over 70% of those completing a GDH program. GDH focuses on resolving the miscommunication between the gut and the brain.

GDH employs a combination of hypnotic suggestions and guided imagery tailored to each individual and their unique combination of symptoms.

The effectiveness of GDH in managing IBS has been well-documented across many studies, over several decades. The findings showcase significant improvements in both gastrointestinal and psychological well-being:

Symptom improvement following GDH

In studies, a substantial 71.1% of IBS patients reported their symptoms as very much or moderately better post-GDH.

Key symptom scores, including pain severity, frequency, bloating, and bowel habit dissatisfaction, saw considerable improvements, which persisted at follow-up.

The majority (81.3%) of those who responded to GDH maintained or further improved at follow-up.

Research suggests the beneficial effects of GDH can last at least five years, highlighting its long-term viability for IBS management.

These findings collectively affirm the role of GDH as a potent, enduring, and efficient approach in alleviating IBS symptoms and enhancing the quality of people’s lives.

Conclusion: The Future of IBS Awareness and Support

Looking towards the future, it’s clear that raising awareness and providing support for individuals with IBS will continue to be crucial. By shedding light on this often misunderstood condition, we can create a more inclusive and understanding society.

If you are experiencing IBS, it’s essential that you know you are not alone and that resources and support, such as GDH, are available to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

To learn more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and my bespoke Hypnosis4ibs Program, visit my website www.ibshypnotherapy.nz.

#WorldIBSDay2024