Brits with IBS lose over two months a year to tummy troubles
New research reveals 16% of IBS sufferers claim their tummy troubles are so severe it disrupts between two to three hours of their daily activity. This amounts to almost six days a month or over two months a year!
The Great Loo Taboo Survey of 3,000 British adults, commissioned by Lepicol, a three in one combination of gentle fibres, probiotic cultures and natural prebiotics, found an astonishing 45% of people have experienced IBS or ongoing digestive health issues, with 10% more women (50% of respondents) affected than men (40%).
On top of the 16% of people who are disrupted for a month a year, a further 30% claim to be disrupted between two to three hours a week. Interestingly, of all regions, people in Wales (25%) claim to be most effected on a daily basis, closely followed by East Midlands (23%) and the North West (18%).
With our current economic climate it’s no wonder the research has found that nearly two thirds (65%) of people believe stress is the number one cause for ongoing digestive health issues and IBS. This was closely followed by people’s diet (56%), family history (16%) and alcohol consumption (15%).
The report aims to highlight the taboos associated with digestive health issues and shines light on the daily challenges faced by sufferers. Even though digestive health issues are having a clear affect on people’s lives, the research reveals we are a nation of silent sufferers. Although nearly half of the British population have experienced digestive health issues, a massive one in five people revealed they have never discussed their digestive health with anyone at all. Of those willing to discuss it, 70% were happy discussing this with their GP, followed by their family (50%) and then partner (48%).
Luckily there is help at hand and the British population are keen to try new ways to ease their symptoms. Nearly 1 in 5 respondents would consider taking alternative medicine treatments, like acupuncture and homeopathy, whilst a higher percentage (41%) are open to taking natural food supplements to help ease their digestive symptoms.
Peter Cartwright, a microbiologist and expert on digestive disorders says, “With 45% of Brits suffering with IBS or ongoing digestive health issues it is important to be aware of ways to help counteract this as best as possible. There are many ways people can help maintain a healthy bowel. I recommend using a natural probiotic to ensure that the environment in your digestive tract is stable, which goes a long way to aid your health and wellbeing”.
Dr Nick Read, Chair of The IBS Network says, “This research suggests that among a random sample of people, IBS may be much more prevalent than previously thought. According to these findings, most people acknowledge that stress is the most common cause with diet coming a close second. This underlines that mood and food may interact to cause bowel upset. So is IBS a disorder of life? Doctors may not be aware of the extent of IBS because as this study suggests people are ashamed of it and prefer to suffer in silence”.
