If you haven’t already heard, April is IBS Awareness Month! This is our time to help spread awareness about IBS, share our story with loved ones and advocate for better digestive health programs. Here are some ways you can get involved:
1) Join my video contest – Share your story of IBS and how the low-FODMAP diet has helped you. Sign up here http://bit.ly/yourIBSstory (link also in bio).
2) According to research published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology Åsa Frändemark, MD and colleagues found that 24.4% of patients with jobs reported that they missed work because of IBS, but 86.8% reported some measure of impairment while at work because of their disease. As the severity of the patients’ symptoms and GI-specific anxiety increased, so did their work impairment (see source below). If no gut health program exists at your place of work, talk with your human resources department to advocate for one.
3) Join in on the campaign with @digestivehealthmatters – Be a voice for all those affected by functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders (FGIMDs). Find emails for elected officials by visiting www.house.gov for the US House of Representatives (or www.senate.gov for the US Senate) and entering your zip code in the box at the right corner.
4) Take part in the #IBelieveinyourStory campaign with @katescarlata Simply share your story on social media and use the#IBelieveinyourStory hashtag. Search the #IBelieveinyourStory hashtag to see how others are sharing.
5) Last but not least, if you haven’t given yourself some “me time” and #selfcare, make it a point to do so this month (or today!). Here are some ideas: take a warm bath, play some soothing music and turn the lights down low. Go for an easy walk outside. Meditate and do some deep breathing every day this month. Meet up with friends for an activity outdoors. Get a massage. Consider reiki therapy or acupuncture. Take a gentle yoga class. Look into gut-directed hypnotherapy. Meet with a therapist for a talk therapy session. Watch a funny movie with a partner or friend. Tend to your garden. Finish a project in the house. Go for a swim. Take on an art project. How will you unwind?1d
Source: IBS causes absences, productivity loss at work
Frändemark A, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018; doi;10.1038/s41395-018-0262-x. September 26, 2018
*Do not start a new diet or exercise regimen without consulting with your physician. Do not let anything you read here to take the place of your physician’s guidance.
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