Did you know that irritable bowel syndrome affects 25 to 45 million people?

Did you know that irritable bowel syndrome affects 25 to 45 million people?

Did you know that irritable bowel syndrome affects 25 to 45 million people?

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) sent this bulletin at 04/01/2013 03:03 PM EDT

April marks the 16th annual Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month, sponsored by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. IBS Awareness Month is intended to increase awareness of IBS among health care professionals and the public. IBS can cause chronic abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Symptoms can come and go and can range from mild to severe. IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States—10 to 15 percent of the population. About two in three IBS sufferers are female. IBS affects people of all ages, even children.
Get the word out about IBS this April. If you or someone you know suffers from IBS symptoms, talk with a doctor and encourage others to do the same. IBS isn’t life threatening, but it can have a major effect on quality of life. No cure exists for IBS, but symptoms may be controlled through diet, medication, and stress management.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has free resources about IBS and related digestive disorders available to the public, including

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome


• Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children


• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What You Need to Know


• What I need to know about Irritable Bowel Syndrome