Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What is IBS?

March 2nd, 2007

A distressed and disillusioned patient of mine suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She had seen a specialist and when told she had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, she asked “What is IBS?” The consultant told her “It is a functional condition. We do not know what causes it but it is very common. See that nurse over there. She has IBS. She gets on with her life. That is what you have to do. Get on with your life. There is no cure. Learn to live with it. And reduce stress.”

Here is part of her story.

Before I leave home to go to work, I open my bowels at least 3 times, sometimes a lot more. Sometimes I am late because I wait until I am sure it is safe to leave home.

I get regular tummy pains more often a dull ache but when it is really severe, it exhausts me and often I take time off work to recover because it leaves me so debilitated.

One of my big problem is bloating. I wake up in the morning and I am fine. A really flat tummy but by lunch time my belly balloons out. People look at me strangely. One new member of staff asked me “When is the big day?” She thought I was pregnant.

There are the odd times when I become really constipated. This make me feel really tired and terrible.

My friend has Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well but her main complaint is a loud rumbling tummy.

I would happily swap one of my IBS symptoms for her rumbling tummy. After all a rumbling tummy is only just embarrassing.”

Dr.Phil Hariram

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Guide.
Healingibs.com

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    Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Burden of IBS.

    March 1st, 2007


    The burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is great on the sufferer but because of the high percentage of Irritable Bowel Syndrome globally, the health professionals and the Health Providers also carry the heavy burden of IBS.

    In the UK, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the most common gastro-intestinal condition seen by GPs and specialists. Consultants see 1.1 million patients annually. The annual cost of Irritable Bowel Syndrome to the NHS is £45 million.

    Here are some statistics on Irritable Bowel Syndrome from the American Journal of Managed Care from an article written by Cash, Sullivan & Barholt.

    Even though Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects millions, only 25% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers seek medical treatment

    In a Real World Survey, 42% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients had symptoms for 10 years before seeking medical treatment.

    Given that there is no cure and the high prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the potential for financial burden is great.

    A survey of 5430 persons in USA found that Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients miss an average 13.4 days of work or school a year compared with 4.9 for others without Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

    Direct cost of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (physicians visit, hospital care, tests etc) is estimated at $10 billion. The indirect cost (lost productivity) of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is estimated at $20 billion. In view of the amount of Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients who seek help or admit to their illness, the indirect cost of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is likely to be significantly higher.

    Cost of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is greater than Asthma and migraine and cost of IBS compares well with hypertension and heart failure.

    According to the American Gastroenterology Association, patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome made 3.65 million visits to physicians.

    A survey of 657 members of the Intestinal Disease Foundation found that Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients spend on average $288 on over the counter and alternative treatments in the three months before the IBS survey.

    In 1992, Irritable Bowel Syndrome was the second leading cause behind the common cold for absenteeism at work.

    The burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is enormous for the sufferers, the health service and industry. And Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition that no one knows the true cause and what cures it. The only thing the medical profession is certain about is that Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not directly cause any long term harm or lead to any serious illness.
    Dr.Phil Hariram
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome Guide.
    Healingibs.com

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