April is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month.
As many as 13 million Americans suffer from IBS with constipation or IBS-C1.
Amber Vesey was one of those people that spent too many years of her life suffering with the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation or IBS-C, as it's better known.
Once her IBS-C was properly diagnosed, she learned how she could best manage the condition.
Since that time, Amber has become an advocate for the importance of awareness about the condition; she’s even started a blog to support other who are suffering.
With so many myths and misconceptions about IBS, it’s easy to go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed and untreated for years.
In a survey commissioned by the American Gastroenterological Association, as many as 75% of the diagnosed IBS-C patients cited abdominal pain and constipation as the symptoms that ultimately led them to speak to a healthcare professional.
In the the same survey, 77% of people with IBS symptoms tried OTCs or home remedies before speaking with a healthcare professional, reporting that they tried an average of more than 3 OTCs.
Amber shares her story along with Dr. Su Sachar, who offers tips and must-have advice for those living with IBS.