[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6499]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      APRIL IS IBS AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2014

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as IBS 
Awareness Month.
  IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a gastrointestinal disorder that 
alters how the digestive tract functions.
  It can cause extreme pain, alter lifestyles, and cost an individual 
thousands of dollars on healthcare expenditures.
  There is no single cause of IBS, and no single cure.
  Studies estimate IBS affects up to 20 percent of the adult 
population. However, only 5 to 7 percent of the adult population has 
been diagnosed with the condition.
  This is partly because individuals with IBS are less likely to seek 
treatment.
  Many are afraid of the stigma that is associated with the disorder.
  People need to know that they don't need to suffer in silence. There 
are many ways to treat and manage IBS.
  The first step is to find out about IBS, and have your questions 
answered.
  As an institution, let's agree to lessen the stigma for IBS patients 
and urge those who may be affected to find out more and seek treatment.

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