Sick to Our Stomachs​ | Why Does Everyone Have IBS? (The Drift)

Recently, a friend related a humiliating anecdote: he had been having digestive problems, and his gastroenterologist requested detailed reports about his bowel movements. Instructed not to be squeamish about painting an accurate picture, he composed a long missive about the consistency, color, and frequency of his eliminations — only to realize that he had sent the email to his employer, instead of his doctor. He apologized profusely, and received a confused but sympathetic reply assuring him that digestive issues are “very common” these days. They are indeed: today, anywhere from 25 to 45 million people in the United States complain of digestive upset.