Social Life vs. IBS - The Ongoing BattleBachelorette Parties. Beach Weekends. Weddings. Showers. Dinner Parties. Tailgates. What do all of these things have in common? All of these events include lots of food, drinks, and fun, and... By Ally Marie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Talking About IBS Isn't Always EasyTalking about your bowel movements is not considered polite conversation in most circles. I was at a party recently and someone was asking me about what types of conditions and... By Hannah Noonan3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Being Your Own Health AdvocateAs a health educator, I’ve always encouraged patients to take an active role in their health. In our current healthcare system, being your own advocate is crucial. Many of us... By Emily Downward2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Does Functional Disorder Actually Mean When It Comes to IBS?For those people who have suffered from IBS for a decent amount of time, you probably have heard your disease be referred to as a "functional disorder." That term sounds... By Marisa Lauren Troy3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
By the Numbers and the Narratives: The Language of PainFor mainstream healthcare professionals, pain assessment has become a numbers game. Not in the sense of your grandma playing the numbers in an illegal lottery--but in a simple 1-10 self-assessment... By Kim Dolce4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Dealing with IBS: A Male's PerspectiveMany times we hear people say, “Be a man!” or “Man up!” What does ‘being a man’ really mean though? From my personal experience, it meant never complaining, tolerating or... By HessP2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Mind-Body Impact on IBSMost people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) know first-hand the connection with stress and their symptoms. IBS often flares during times of intense stress. Why does this occur? And... By Emily Downward3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments7 comments
5 Things You Shouldn't Say to Someone with IBSWe all know those well meaning friends, family or complete strangers who like to throw in an offhand comment every now again without really thinking it through. Sometimes they don’t... By Hannah Noonan3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
An Open Letter to IBSDear IBS, As I was writing another article about what you do to me as a person suffering with IBS, I decided to take a break from that article and... By Ally Marie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Tips On Getting Your Family To UnderstandHaving an invisible illness is quite difficult to deal with when you feel like no one understands what you’re going through. It’s especially difficult when you don’t fully understand your... By HessP3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Power of the Mind - IBS & Overall HealthWe have all heard and know that our mind is a powerful thing, but just how powerful is it? Let’s take a look at how strong our minds can really... By Ally Marie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments20 comments
Treating SIBOI recently wrote about getting tested for SIBO – small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Although the breath test wasn’t difficult, it wasn’t my idea of fun, and I was pleased that... By Emily Downward2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments6 comments
What to Expect When You’re Not ExpectingBig belly, water retention, swelling, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, just plain uncomfortable. This sounds like someone who may be expecting a child, but unfortunately, I’m not. That’s not to say that... By Ally Marie2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When I Realized I had a Serious Issue (Cont'd)Find part 1 here. One day, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore. I was going to do things my way. I stopped seeking medical help because I wasn’t getting... By HessP4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Do I React to Everything I Eat?This is a question I get a lot from IBS clients, especially those with IBS-D. Every time they eat they get symptoms like diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain. Many stop... By Caitlin Wheat2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When I Realized I had a Serious IssueMy college years will forever be the most memorable, but also to some extent, the most traumatic years of my life. Like an average freshman in college, I was busy... By HessP3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
IBS Was My First DiagnosisIBS was my first diagnosis, but it wasn’t my last. In the past few years of being an IBS patient advocate, I’ve started to notice more and more that IBS... By Ally Marie3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Getting Tested for SIBOSIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) is a chronic bacterial infection of the small intestine. While we all naturally have beneficial bacteria in our intestines that help us digest food, in... By Emily Downward3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
IBS Sufferers Want To Feel ValidatedWe all want to feel validated in some way, shape or form. Whether we express these feelings or not, it is human nature for most people to want to feel... By Marisa Lauren Troy5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Moments When IBS Attacks!Every time I attempt to step foot outside the door, IBS kicks me in the gut and says, “Dude, you know you gotta use the bathroom again. Get your behind... By HessP3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments