Understanding IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, common disorder that affects about 10 percent of the world’s population and 10 to 15 percent of the general population in the United States, including women and men of all ages. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, IBS affects 18 percent of the population in Canada, one of the highest rates in the world. The Gastrointestinal Society of Canada and the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research state that the lifetime risk for a Canadian to develop IBS is 30 percent. Despite these startling numbers, it’s estimated that fewer than 15 percent of people worldwide who are affected by IBS seek medical attention.