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‘I feel as if my IBS is keeping me hostage!’ Exploring the negative impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) upon university‐aged women
Author(s) -
Schneider Margaret A,
Fletcher Paula C
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-172x.2008.00677.x
Subject(s) - irritable bowel syndrome , medicine , inflammatory bowel disease , anxiety , psychological intervention , disease , quality of life (healthcare) , psychiatry , clinical psychology , nursing
The purpose of this article is to describe the negative impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) upon university‐aged women. This exploratory study was conducted using phenomenology, with heuristic inquiry as the guiding theoretical orientation. Seven women participated in an email interview and in a semistructured interview. The findings indicate that women with active IBD/IBS commonly experience an anxiety reaction, followed by an attack of illness. This attack then triggers a cascade of impact that negatively influences their emotional and physical well‐being, ultimately affecting their overall quality of life. Health‐care professionals can play an important role in minimizing the impact of IBD/IBS upon those affected, and possible interventions are suggested.