Today is World IBD Day 2020 and to mark it, I thought we’d do some myth busting! There are so many people who really don’t understand what IBD is and there are a lot of myths and bad advice out there!
Not only is it annoying as someone who lives with inflammatory bowel disease to read and hear these things, it’s also really damaging to the perception of the disease and makes it more confusing if you’re newly diagnosed.
So, let’s get myth busting!
10 myths about IBD which aren’t true
IBD and IBS are the same thing
This one is at the top because it’s my biggest bug bearer. IBD is NOT the same as IBS. Whilst some symptoms may overlap, mainly diarrhoea, constipation and stomach cramps.
However, IBD is an incurable disease which involves inflammation of the digestive system which cannot be cured. IBS is a common condition affecting the digestive system and can be managed by changes to diet and lifestyle.
IBD is caused by the food you eat
Not true. Whilst foods can trigger symptoms, it is not the cause for IBD.
In fact, at the moment it is unknown what causes IBD. It’s thought it could be genetic or caused by environmental factors but there is no known cause.
You can cure IBD by changing your diet
Again, not true. Some patients find that changing their diets can help managed symptoms however it doesn’t cure it.
For me, highly processed and fatty foods along with raw fruit and veg were killer for me!
Every IBD patient will have surgery
A lot of IBD patients manage their IBD their whole lives and don’t require surgery. Surgery usually happens once all medical routes have been exhausted or a severe flare-up happens.
So surgery isn’t a given, but it’s something to not be scared of either. I was terrified however having a stoma isn’t scary and becomes second nature.
The only/main symptom of IBD is DIARRHOEA
Because IBD is a bowel disease, people automatically assume that it only affects your bowel. Symptoms vary between patients and whether you have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
I’ve written a whole blog post on the symptoms of IBD but inflammation can occur in joints, eyes and skin as well as the digestive system. There’s also major fatigue issues.
IBD only affects the bowel
Like I said for the above myth, IBD is more than a bowel disease. Some patients find they have inflammation in their skin, their eyes (which is the least common) and joints.
IBD isn’t classed as a disability
A disability doesn’t have to be visible for it to be a disability.
However, under the Equality Act 2010, chronic illnesses and IBD are classed as disabilities.
I’ve written a whole blog post about Disability Rights and IBD here which you might find useful!
Once you have surgery for IBD, you’ll be cured
This is a myth which I held for a long time but sadly this one isn’t true.
Even if you have ulcerative colitis, which affects the large bowel, you can still experience other IBD symptoms. Things like deficiencies and joint problems are possible.
I have IBD because I’m stressed
Stress can be another trigger for IBD patients however it doesn’t cause your IBD. You could be the most zen person, or the most anxious, or in the most stressful job and you could still have IBD.
All IBD patients experience the same SYMPTOMS and can be treated the same well
Just because a drug worked for you doesn’t mean it will for me. Just because I cut this food out helped manage my symptoms doesn’t mean it will for you.
IBD symptoms can vary patient to patient. The medications which work vary patient to patient. Triggers vary patient to patient.
More IBD posts which you might find useful
Let me know in the comments the IBD myths which annoy you the most!
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