IBS TAKES A TOLL – BUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS
IBS TAKES A TOLL – BUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Check out the results of a study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology by Ballou et al about the massive impact on quality of life that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have.
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- IBS affects 15% of the United States population.
- Patients with IBS have worse health-related quality of life (a quantitative measure of how much their disease impacts all realms of life) than patients with diabetes or end-stage kidney disease.
- Up to 38% of individuals with IBS report having contemplated suicide as a result of their symptoms.
- Patients with IBS report missing an average of 13.4 days of work of school per year (compared with 4.9 days for those without IBS).
- Another study has estimated nearly 14 hours per week of lost productivity because of IBS in a 40 hour week.
The new information in the study highlights the differences in life impact between IBS-diarrhea predominant and IBS-constipation predominant.
“Individuals with constipation predominance were more likely than with IBS-diarrhea predominance to report avoiding sex, difficulty concentrating, and feeling self-conscious.”
“Individuals with IBS-diarrhea predominance reported more avoidance of places without bathrooms, difficulty making plans, avoiding leaving the house, and reluctance to travel.”
Patient reported that in exchange for 1 month relief from IBS they would be willing to give up the following for one month:
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- >50% would give up caffeine or alcohol
- 40% would give up sex
- 24.5% would give up cell phones
- 21.5% would give up internet
Do not let IBS rule your life – WE CAN HELP!!
Our providers are well versed in all of the latest treatment options for IBS (and other functional GI conditions) including nutritional interventions, optimizing the mind-connection with gut directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, and utilizing the huge variety of potentially beneficial supplements and medications. One size does not fit all – you need to have an individualized treatment plan.
CONSULTATIONS WITH OUR DIETITIAN AND COUNSELOR ARE ROUTINELY COVERED BY STANDARD HEALTH INSURANCE – take advantage of the opportunity! TELEMEDICINE consultations are available now! We are eager to help IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE and have you THINK LESS ABOUT YOUR GUT and get about living your life. Call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com to schedule a consultation.