Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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IBS Misconceptions Abound, Studies Show
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TUESDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Many Americans with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have misconceptions about the cause of the condition and its potential to develop into other diseases such as cancer, two studies show. "IBS is one of the most common medical conditions, and our study reveals that a lot of people are facing a problem, they don''t feel well, they have significant concerns, and they don''t have enough information," Dr. Brian E. Lacy, of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, said in a prepared statement. The findings were presented Monday at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting, in Honolulu. He and his colleagues conducted two separate analyses of responses to questionnaires from 261 IBS patients. The study found high rates of popular misconceptions. For example, close to 43 percent of the respondents believed IBS develops due to a food allergy or intolerance, and 82 percent believe a change in their daily routine somehow caused their IBS. About a third of the people believed that once IBS develops, it never resolves, and 16.7 percent believe IBS turns into cancer. A second study based on the same survey found respondents citing the following factors as the most frequent causes of IBS: anxiety, 87.9 percent; dietary factors, 80.7 percent; depression, 68.2 percent. "This is the first study to assess IBS patients'' knowledge regarding their disorder. Our findings highlight the need for effective educational programs for IBS patients," Lacy said. Another study of 200 IBS patients, conducted by researchers at Boston Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that patients were most interested in learning about foods (60 percent), medications (58 percent); coping strategies (56 percent); and psychological factors (55 percent) related to IBS. Eighty percent of respondents said they wanted their doctor to be available via phone or e-mail following a visit and have the ability to listen (80 percent), provide hope (73 percent) and support (63 percent). More information The U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse has more about IBS.
Last Updated: Nov. 1, 2005 |