IBS Awareness Month - Addressing the Stigma

April is IBS Awareness Month. As a health care provider, as well as someone who struggles with an IBS diagnosis herself, the importance of this month is HUGE.

When I was diagnosed with IBS - I was under the impression that it just 'is what it is' - and that my symptoms were something that I had to learn to live with. I found diagnosis frustrating.

I was embarrassed to tell people I had IBS - because the stigma around it was so strong. And what's shocking to me is - I'm a health care professional. If I feel this way - armed with evidence and surrounded by other experts... how does the average person feel when they're diagnosed with IBS?

Overwhelmed? You're not alone

I struggled and muddled my way through different treatment options - often feeling overwhelmed, and very much alone in my condition.

My doctor couldn't understand why I was in tears in his office, upset over not having a bowel movement for an entire 7 day vacation.

Or that why, when I looked to over-the-counter medication management - I was hesitant and nervous because of my previous medication experiences - despite my background as a dietitian and understanding exactly how each and every medication worked, and how to dose them.

IBS starts with understanding a person's story. What they've gone through. How they perceive their symptoms. Understanding where it all started for them.

Things have changed

This is exactly why I ended up working in the field - I didn't want others to experience the isolation and the feeling of a lack of control around their IBS.

There wasn't much out there for support when I was diagnosed - but luckily, things have changed.

Fast forward over 10 years now - and we have an ENTIRE MONTH dedicated to dealing with perceptions and misconceptions about IBS. And thank goodness.

SO many great thought-leaders and professionals in the field come together to amplify our message over IBS Awareness Month - that IBS is a REAL diagnosis - with REAL treatment options.

This IBS Awareness Month - I've partnered with the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation on a fundraising and awareness event 'Taking Care of Your Gut Health: Understanding and Managing IBS'.

This local, Calgary event is looking to bring together Calgarians and connect them with resources in our community, and help empower them to take charge of their IBS.

I'll be speaking about practical solutions that can help you manage your IBS, including touching on my four pillars of gut health in IBS management:

• Nutrition Therapy
• Medication Management
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
• The Gut Microbiome

As well, Dr. Andy Liu, gastroenterology fellow will be presenting on better understanding the condition and putting YOU in the drivers seat.

The power of connection

Many times, people still believe that the only solution to manage your IBS is to learn to live with it. Or that it couldn't be as bad as we make it sound.

The reality is - IBS can be severely debilitating. Symptoms have major impacts on our quality of life, our ability to do the things we love, and how we perceive our health and wellness.

By using the power of connection, and improving understanding of IBS, we can begin to shift how we look at and manage our IBS - and provide a variety of different treatment options to ensure that we live with the best quality of life possible.

I hope you join in the conversation around IBS this month. Connect with those who have IBS. Who treat IBS. Who advocate for patients to have a voice. By doing this, we can improve everyone's understanding of the condition, and reduce stigma.

If you're in Calgary, and would like to join us on April 17th, we would love to have you! Tickets are $15, with $5 being donated to the CDHF research fund and can be purchased here.

Thank you for hearing my story - I hope you have the courage to share yours, if it's right for you - during this IBS Awareness Month.

Sincerely,

Andrea Hardy, RD