Articles

There have been moments when having IBS has caused me despair. So much so that I’ve been frightened of what might happen next. In fact, so frightened that it shocked...

During my most recent visit to my GI doc, we were brainstorming about possible ways to ease my stress and anxiety in order to reduce the frequency and severity of...

It feels like my abdomen is an overfull balloon. It is puffed up and out and uncomfortably tight. I’ve come home after eating dinner at a friend’s house, and I...

I am a very open person. If you want to know something about me, just ask. I’ll tell you most anything about me, warts and all. That said, I’ve mentioned...

Did you ever play that game as a kid where you imagine the ground is hot lava and you have to step on stones (or pillows and furniture, if inside)...

I have a drinking problem...but I don't necessarily mean just with alcohol. I have sworn off alcohol for the better part of 12 years, but had to replace the alcohol...

IBS can be triggered by all sorts of things, including stress, certain foods, lack of exercise, illness, and medications. But it can be calmed by other things, including gentle exercise...

It was extremely hard for me to write about this topic because during the past years of losing jobs, I was going down a really dark, depressive road. To be...

Stress is a major trigger for IBS symptoms in many people. In fact, stress can sometimes be such a powerful trigger that it can override all the other management strategies...

I thought I might say a word or two about the ‘invisible’ nature of IBS. We ‘just’ have IBS, right? The stigma and lack of understanding associated with this terrible...

For many of us, getting the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a time-consuming and costly process, involving multiple visits to doctors and many tests. Doctors generally consider all...

I don’t like talking about bathroom symptoms with strangers. Honestly, I don’t. But I can’t help it. That’s because, like clockwork, I can’t make it more than ten minutes into...

Since April is IBS Awareness Month, Hess would like to help raise awareness by sharing some facts he has learned about IBS and what he wishes others knew about it...

My mother actually asked me why I would put my name and face to articles about IBS and more specifically, my own IBS. Her candor took me off guard, but...

It’s been less than a year since I was diagnosed with IBS-C and I’m still learning about this blasted thing. I could easily make excuses for that. I have multiple...

The low FODMAP diet is one of the most effective strategies available for managing IBS symptoms, but it’s also one of the most difficult dietary strategies to follow. I know...

Have you seen that new movie, Constipated? It hasn’t come out yet. And the sequel, Diarrhea? It leaked, so they had to release it early. Maybe you're laughing at these...

It’s hard for people who don’t have IBS to know what it feels like, so here’s a little exercise to help anyone who doesn’t have IBS understand what it’s like...

God? If you’re listening, I would like to make a request. Please take away my IBS for one day…just one day…or two, if you’re feeling generous, so that I can...