Ready for some wild facts about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It affects between 25-45 million people just in the United States, 10-15% worldwide and out of those suffering the majority are women. IBS can be anything from cramps, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea and constipation. For me, it has always been gas and diarrhea which is not only embarrassing to deal with at work but also scary at times. IBS is also second, right below the common cold, for reasons for work absences but it is not considered as serious by many people. It can be hard for managers and colleagues to understand when you need to call in sick, go home early or miss a meeting. At the same time, it’s also hard to tell your coworkers that your stomach is bothering you and you need to go home. Not having something tangible as a fever, strep or some other illness can sometimes make it harder to be taken seriously. I have had many friends confide in me the anxiety they have when going to work, attending a social event or traveling. The overlaying fear is having an episode and being trapped somewhere.
