Last Updated on April 9, 2021 by Ellen Christian
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When I was growing up, my father always had what we referred to as a “sensitive stomach.” We never knew exactly when he’d have problems with his stomach. We had to be very careful where we went out to eat and how far away we were from a restroom when we travelled. This is a sponsored post, but the story is my own.
IBS in America & a Webinar
It was always easiest to eat at home rather than at restaurants. He was never certain exactly what foods were going to upset his stomach and restaurants didn’t provide a detailed ingredient list on the menu. Since he traveled for his job, it seemed like he always had problems with his stomach. It was a constant up and down struggle that impacted his life.
He tried all sorts of over the counter medications to find relief from his symptoms, but they didn’t help. He didn’t want to discuss such a sensitive topic with his doctor but finally, through frustration, he contacted a doctor about the problems he was having and was eventually diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). This is what my father went through, and everyone’s story is a little bit different.
The holidays tend to be a time of overindulgence, and you might notice stomach discomfort after enjoying a large meal or rich foods. For almost 35 million Americans who suffer from IBS, those feelings of abdominal pain and discomfort, including constipation or diarrhea, last all year long.
The “IBS in America” survey found that most IBS sufferers (67 percent) that responded to the survey reported having abdominal and bowel symptoms for more than a year before talking with a doctor. About 11 percent wait a decade or more. Plus, 8 in 10 people who responded (85 percent) have talked about IBS with someone in addition to their doctor. Most (59 percent) respondents reported getting advice from “non-doctors,” and 9 in 10 reported following this advice. It is time to replace speculation with science.
If you can relate to recurring abdominal and bowel symptoms, make a resolution to take care of your GI health and break the self-help cycle. Speak up early, completely and often with your doctor. Join the discussion – #IBSinAmerica.
Please attend a webcast on Thursday, December 17 at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 pm EST.
While all experiences and opinions are my own, this post is sponsored by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), which commissioned the “IBS in America” survey, the most comprehensive IBS survey of both patients and physicians ever conducted, polling more than 3,200 sufferers and 300 physicians to better understand this condition, with the financial support of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Allergan plc. For full survey results, visit http://bit.ly/1LwtDgp.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
Since moving out of state a few months ago, my 11 yo daughter has constant (nearly daily) bouts with stomach pain. It is so difficult, because she is very narrow in what she will eat. Sometimes the stomachaches are triggered by anxiety, but more frequently these days there is no common denominator that I can put my finger on. I thought it must be gluten triggered, but most days there is no gluten in her diet. It is very frustrating, and frequently debilitating. I truly had no idea that moving would be so difficult. We are seeking counseling to see if that will help at all. We saw a pediatrician here and she diagnosed her with constipation. Unfortunately, that is only a small piece of this puzzle.
It’s definitely a challenge. I hope you can stop by the Webinar.