If you or a loved one suffer from Irritable Bowl Syndrome, you will want to read this post. This informative post is sponsored by the Picture My IBS initiative- something I think you will find very interesting! I know I did!
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of bowel function. Patients who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome have changes in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain along with other symptoms including abdominal bloating, and rectal urgency with diarrhea.
IBS is an extremely common disorder. Studies have estimated the prevalence in the United States is somewhere between 10% and 15% of the entire population. Most studies suggest that irritable bowel syndrome is more common in women with almost twice as many women having the disorder compared to men.
Many people report feeling all knotted up inside- this creative picture I made shows that in those angry red colors!
The strange this is that even though IBS is so common, only 1 in 4 people will seek medical treatment for their symptoms. It is our hope that this initiative will inspire people to seek treatment and end their suffering!
My Story:
Does your stomach ever feel like a big ball of pain? When I get an IBS flare-up, it not only feels like my guts are knotted up inside, but it feels like someone stabbing be in the stomach. My creative artwork below demonstrates how it feels. The big knot in red, orange and yellow is that horrible feeling. The red and yellow spokes are the stabbing pains that seems to spread across my stomach. I had to add funny glasses and cross them out. Having IBS is NOT funny! I call this creation: Knotted up and Blue!
Be sure to share your own IBS-inspired artwork- see the details below!
This is how I feel when my IBS is not flaring up. I feel like I’m a fragile flower and parts of me could come off and knot up at any time.
What you may NOT know about IBS:
- Symptoms of abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation may be part of a real medical condition called IBS
- Through no fault of their own, patients have spent a significant amount of time suffering
- Symptoms disrupt patients’ everyday lives, social interactions and work
- Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation characterize a major portion of IBS sufferers
- Many sufferers do not seek care for IBS
How can YOU participate in Picture My IBS?
- A new initiative called Picture My IBS offers people a new way to express their feelings about the impact of IBS on their lives, by creating an original piece of artwork in whichever form allows you to best express yourself and your IBS journey. We want to see your unique view and perspective on how it feels to live with IBS. You can submit a painting, drawing, sculpture, collage or any other type of artwork that meets the contest guidelines. Enter your creation HERE.
- Created by The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) in collaboration with Allergan and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Picture My IBS aims to helps those with IBS find a more comfortable way to communicate with their doctors, to share their IBS journey with others and to show others that they are not alone.
Want to win a Trip to NYC?
Be sure to submit a painting, drawing, sculpture, collage or any other type of artwork that meets the Rules & Terms.
As part of the Picture My IBS initiative, a panel of judges will evaluate submitted artwork and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip for two to a luxury hotel and spa in New York City, and five Honorable Mention Winners will receive a $100 American Express gift card. All winning art will also be featured on the Picture My IBS website.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE FIFTY UNITED STATES, D.C., AGE 18 OR OVER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. THE SPONSORS OF THE CONTEST ARE ALLERGAN USA, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER; PLAZA V, SUITE 1900; JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302; IRONWOOD PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. WITH AN OFFICE AT 301 BINNEY STREET, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02142; AND THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GASTROENTEROLOGY. APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF ALL PRIZES IS $6,500. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER AND QUALITY OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2017. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PLEASE SEE COMPLETE CONTEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS AT PICTUREMYIBS.ORG.
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of the Picture My IBS initiative.
Source: American College of Gastroenterology, http://patients.gi.org/topics/irritable-bowel-syndrome/, accessed 2/1/17
