Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month - April 2023, Theme & Importance

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month is a globally recognised and celebrated healthcare event observed every year in the month of April. During the entire month, various awareness campaigns and activities to promote are conducted by several worldwide organisations to understand the early diagnosis, treatment and preventive tips for irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) campaigns are mainly focused on the risk population, such as: 

• The patients are young, under the age of 50 years.
• Female patients. 
• Patients with a family history of IBS. 
• Patients suffering from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Hormonal therapy (oestrogen therapy) during or after menopause can also increase the risk. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) illness accompanied by abdominal discomfort, dysentery, constipation, mucus discharge with stools, and changes in stool shape. The prevalence of IBS in Western and Asian nations ranges between 4-5% and 1-10%, respectively. Its incidence in India is believed could be 4-7% and is increasing. 



Patients suffering from IBS reported worse bodily pain, energy/fatigue, and social functioning. Early screening of IBS, especially in the risk population, can be leveraged for a confident diagnosis of IBS in a more timely manner, which may, in turn, lower the substantial economic burden and human cost of the disorder. 

Greater public awareness of IBS can help patients overcome the stigma of their symptoms and seek medical attention sooner to establish a diagnosis and effective treatment.

This explains the necessity and importance of IBS Awareness Month.

This year 2023, the irritable bowel syndrome awareness month theme is to "Join patients, family members, and caregivers raising the public awareness of IBS and help destigmatise the wide varieties of IBS".

As a part of raising public awareness of IBS, a social media campaign - the hashtags #IBSAwarenessMonth and #YouandIBS are circulated, which continues to emphasise critical health messages on IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life difficulties. 

International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) was created in 1991 by Ms. Norton and William F. Norton battling the difficulties of a chronic GI disease. They transformed the organisation from a grassroots group to a charity with global representation. Since its beginning, IFFGD has provided millions of individuals with information, aid, and support. As part of the objective to serve patients, IFFGD also undertakes education programmes on these specialist GI subjects for physicians and caregivers.

IFFGD's governing body comprises physicians, healthcare experts from several disciplines linked to digestive health and incontinence, and non-medical professionals from the legal and commercial domains.

The IFFGD established April as IBS Awareness Month in 1997.

The National Health Observances calendar in the United States includes IBS Awareness Month. Health observances are days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness of specific health issues. Individuals, health professionals, schools, community groups, and others can take advantage of these unique occasions to support health promotion events and raise awareness of health concerns.

The following are the general tips which can be applied to relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

• Have only homemade meals with fresh ingredients 
• Avoid fatty, spicy or processed foods
• Maintain a record of the dietary supplements and try to avoid things that trigger the IBS by corresponding to the symptoms you may get with the food eaten.
• Try not to skip or delay any meals.
• Get plenty of meditation or any other activities for relaxation and exercise.
• Avoid having more than three portions (a portion is 80g) of fresh fruit a day. 
• A maximum of 3 cups of tea/coffee per day is permissible 
• Do not attempt to eat too quickly
• Avoid alcoholism and fizzy drinks