ABSTRACT
Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders affect millions of people daily. The impact of these disorders is felt not only by the individual but also by his or her family, and by society as a whole. Gastroenterologists report that more than 50% of their practice is devoted to patients with functional GI disorders. Functional bowel disorders, in particular, are very common and chronic, with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurring in 10 to 20% of people In 1993, the International Foundation for Bowel Dysfunction began organizing public-education symposia and support and self-help groups for people interested in learning more about functional bowel disorders, particularly IBS and incontinence. Bowel dysfunction, disordered defecation, and incontinence are all topics that are extremely difficult for people to talk about. Many people who suffer from these disorders are reluctant to acknowledge their symptoms to anyone.
