| Media inquiries: (804) 924-5679
THE FACTS ON WOMEN AND DIGESTIVE HEALTHTRUE OR FALSE?
The answer to all of these questions is false. Many women are misinformed about their digestive health. According to the American Digestive Health Foundation, at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases that impact their lifestyle, and many more people are affected less severely by digestive illnesses. Women are more likely than men to suffer from certain gastrointestinal illnesses and are equally affected by colon cancer, the most deadly digestive disease. It is important that women openly discuss digestive health with their physician. Women often think they are less at risk for digestive illnesses than men are. This is not true. Women need to be aware of the symptoms, risk factors and screening options for common digestive diseases. For instance, most women do not know that there can be gynecologic aspects to some gastrointestinal disorders, said Dr. David Peura, a gastroenterologist at University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville Following is information on some digestive disorders that impact women. Dr. Peura is available to answer questions about the causes, symptoms and treatments of these and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the intestines that leads to abdominal cramps, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits. Some people with IBS have constipation, others have diarrhea and some people have both. Severity of IBS symptoms varies greatly from person to person. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, although a number of factors such as stress, diet and genetic predisposition may be involved. The medical community does not accept the notion that IBS is purely a psychological disorder. IBS is the most common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting approximately 20 percent of adults. The disorder affects women to a much greater extent than men – as many as 70 percent of all sufferers are female. People with IBS have more absenteeism from work, a greater number of doctor visits and more frequent hospitalization than the general public. IBS is a chronic problem, with a tendency to exacerbate and relapse, yet only about 10 percent of those with IBS seek medical care for evaluation or treatment. Some people with IBS find relief from medications that treat their symptoms but disease management remains suboptimal. New drug therapies for IBS that would reduce the sensitivity of the stomach are under investigation. Colon Cancer Cancer of the colon and rectum, known as colorectal cancer, is a subject women may be hesitant to discuss. Some are embarrassed to address the topic with their health care providers and others erroneously believe they are not at risk. The fact is that colorectal cancer strikes women nearly as often as men. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in women. About 67,000 women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and more than 40 percent of those will die from the disease. Colorectal cancer develops from polyps, grape-like growths on the inner lining of the colon and rectum, which usually form after age 50 and grow slowly. All women age 50 and older are at risk for developing colorectal cancer. Younger women may also be a risk if there is a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps or a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease. Lifestyle choices, such as a high fat, low fiber diet, smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise and obesity can also increase a woman's risk. Because colorectal cancer frequently begins without symptoms, screening is the key to prevention and early treatment. If colorectal cancer is found early enough, there is a survival rate of higher than 90 percent. Constipation Constipation is the passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, usually less than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable and sluggish. Approximately four and a half million Americans are constipated most or all of the time. Women are more likely to be affected than men are. Children and the elderly are also susceptible to frequent constipation. Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint in the U.S. Most people treat themselves without seeking medical help as is evident by the $725 million spent on over-the-counter laxatives annually. Many people think they are constipated when they are not. There is no correct number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. Almost everyone gets constipated at one time or another. Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the cause. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. Increasing fiber in the diet, drinking more liquids and exercising regularly alleviates most cases of constipation. Fecal Incontinence Fecal incontinence is the loss of normal control of the bowels, which leads to stool leaking from the rectum at unexpected times. As many as one million people in the U.S. are affected. Fecal incontinence is more common in women than men. Most cases of fecal incontinence are caused by damage to the sphincter muscle. In women, damage commonly occurs during childbirth, especially in a difficult delivery involving forceps or an episiotomy. Muscle damage can also occur as the result of rectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease or an abscess in the perirectal area. Other causes of fecal incontinence are damage to the nerves that control the anal muscle or that are responsible for rectal sensation and reduction in the elasticity of the rectum. Medical tests can pinpoint the cause of fecal incontinence and help determine the course of therapy. Anorectal biofeedback can improve, or even cure, the problem of fecal incontinence in many people. October 20, 1999 |