What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) describes a group of individuals who suffer with recurrent belly pain, bloating, and abnormal bowel habits including diarrhea and/or constipation. About 10 to 15 percent of the world’s population has IBS, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Although not life threatening, IBS is a chronic condition that has no known cure.
Learn more about IBS: Michigan Medicine Digestive and Liver Health – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Bowel Disorders
For this year's IBS Awareness Month, William Chey, MD, and Kate Scarlata, RDN, have partnered together to increase awareness of IBS, provide education, and to raise funds for research.
How to Get Involved
Share your story at #IBelieveinyourStory
Share your stories about IBS and SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or post positive messages to those with these conditions via social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to bring a greater awareness to these conditions.
Learn more about the #IBelieveinyourStory initiative:
Donate to research
Gastroenterologists at Michigan Medicine have made significant strides in the area of IBS, however, there is more work to be done. William Chey, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology division and Codirector of the Michigan Bowel Control Program, and his research group are continuously striving to discover new and improved ways to diagnosis and treat IBS. View Dr. Chey’s research website.
To make a donation, please visit the William D. Chey Research Fund online giving page.
Select Educational Resources
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