|
This segue from discrete learning and living sections to a seamless integration of the two as the calendar progresses will support the evolution in your life from attack/response mode to an ingrained practice of continual symptom management, with a consistent emphasis on prevention and stability. This is an important point to note because it derives from three key ways in
which IBS differs from most other chronic health problems. First, IBS is not a disease, it's a disorder, and a historically neglected one at that. This means that while scientific literature on the subject is scarce (a bad thing), medical concerns such as progression of the disorder, related illnesses, surgical possibilities, and the development of serious complications are either strictly limited or simply non-existent (a very good thing). The second unusual aspect of IBS is that, despite the fact that it's an extremely common disorder, most people suffer for years without receiving an accurate diagnosis. As a result, by the time someone is finally diagnosed they are often desperate for information, may well have turned to searching for answers on their own, and they not only want to know absolutely everything there is to know about the illness, they want to know it all right now. They do not want information slowly parceled out to them, they don't want summary explanations, and they most definitely do not want to wait one extra minute for the knowledge they've been seeking for so long. The third critical element of IBS is that, in essence, when your GI tract is stable and you have no symptoms, you are no longer suffering from the syndrome. Though the underlying pathology that permits the symptoms to arise will still be present, IBS cannot exist in any relevant manner "in the background." Once your attacks are under control you simply need to maintain the strategies that are working for you. You'll have no reason to give any further thought to IBS unless you're actually experiencing a flare. This is a radical difference from most other chronic illnesses (diabetes or high blood pressure, for example) where a person may feel fine but actually be suffering silent, serious physical damage unawares. With IBS, you simply can't have an attack and not know it (though don't we all wish!). Once your symptoms subside, for all intents and purposes you are no longer (albeit temporarily) living with IBS. Your goal is to make these "temporary" periods of stability last as long as possible. For me, that's now about ninety-nine percent of the time. My point of view is that I don't even have IBS outside of that one percent of my life. The daily symptom management strategies that I follow I consider to be for my overall good health, and not restrictions but benefits. I do not see myself as having a chronic illness because the vast majority of the time, I don't. As a result of these three unique characteristics of IBS, you'll notice that this book provides in-depth information up front in the first seven days. This is so you can immediately take full advantage of the strategies you need to control your symptoms and run with them. Each approach for managing IBS will be visited at length early on, and then dealt with in their various tangents as you progress through the calendar. You'll seamlessly move from the core issues of symptom-control on a daily basis to expanding your lifestyle management abilities, gradually encompassing vacations, social events, support groups, and more. Should you wish to follow your own pace and adjust the calendar stages to better fit your needs, please feel free. Skip ahead to future chapters if they're relevant to you now, skim the whole book initially before tackling each section in-depth, or read each designated day, week, and month in strict order. The choice is yours. The structure of this book is meant only as a suggested means of managing the information you need to learn in order to live your life free from symptoms. It's important that you find a rate of progress you're comfortable with, whatever that may be. I truly hope this book will be your shortcut to reaching a state of health, happiness, and confidence. May it give you the freedom to live your life however you choose, to go wherever you wish, whenever you want, and to eat, play, work, love, and laugh along the way. It took me almost two decades to get there, but then I had no one's help. Here's hoping that with this book you can reach that point well within your first year. Good luck and good health to you! Click here to continue reading First Year: IBS. All content is copyrighted by Heather Van Vorous and MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED without permission. |