Information from the American College of Gastroenterology encourages people not to suffer in silence, with these facts about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS is common, affecting about 1 in 20 people in the U.S.

Abdominal pain is the major symptom of IBS.

IBS greatly reduces patients’ quality of life

Direct medical costs of IBS are high, $1.5 billion to $10 billion per year, not including prescriptions or over the counter medication

A majority of IBS patients would give up 10 to 15 years of life expectancy for an instant cure for their condition

IBS is not just found in women, it’s an “equal opportunity” disorder and impacts men too

IBS is considered a disorder of Gut Brain Interaction

The sense of bloating is a common symptom of IBS

Types of IBS

IBS-C: IBS with constipation

IBS-D: IBS with diarrhea

IBS-Mixed: IBS with mix constipation and diarrhea

IBS symptoms can be frustrating and discouraging, but there is hope and treatment options:

Diet

Over the counter medications

Prescription medications

Gut directed therapy

There are many reasons why the gastrointestinal system in women is more comes than it is in men. Studies show female hormones play a big role, along with an intestine that is 10 cm longer in women than in men, and women’s gastrointestinal organs don’t have as much room since they have to share the space with reproductive organs.

The most common digestive issues women experience include:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Did you know, women are twice as likely to experience IBS as men. Research has shown female hormones greatly influence the severity of IBS symptoms. Such as, bloating, stomach pain, abdominal cramping, constipation, and diarrhea.

Colon cancer

Men have a 1 in 21 chance of developing  colon cancer, whereas women have a 1 in 23 chance, which is slightly less. But those women who have developed a reproductive cancer have a greater risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer. It is vital everyone takes preventive measures by having routine colonoscopy.

Gallstones

Gallstones are diagnosed twice as often in women than in men. Female hormones are associated with raised cholesterol levels in the bile, which in the gallbladder slows down movement. When the cholesterol hardens gallstones are formed. Symptoms of gallstones are nausea, abdominal pain, clay colored bowel movements and yellowish eyes/skin. Hormones also affect the liver and pancreas,  which affect these organs and lead to disease.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is more common in women than men. it is a digestive disorder when muscles in the stomach don’t contract normally, allowing food to take longer to pass from the stomach to the intestines. It can interfere with normal digestion and cause vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain

Get your screenings

If you’ve been dealing with digestive issues or acid reflux, or overdue for your colon cancer screening, now is the time to contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida. It just takes a quick and easy check up to catch and treat an issue. Preventative screening and testing help detect diseases and conditions in their early and most treatable stages. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida.