A WOMAN who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome has shared her experiences of living with the condition.

Gemma Garbutt was diagnosed with IBS four years ago when she experienced sudden weight loss and pains in her stomach.

She frequently suffers from flare-ups which can cause her to miss work and not leave the house.

Now, the 26-year-old has shared her experiences of the condition as part of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, which runs throughout April.

Gemma, from Warrington, said: “About four years ago I started having problems that came out of nowhere - I’d dropped about a stone and a half quickly and had tummy pain and bloating.

“I think people think that IBS is about tummy pain and going to the toilet a bit more - it’s not like that and it does stop me doing things.

“Normally it’s stable but all of a sudden I’ll get these flare ups with IBS and they can last for quite a while.

“My work suffers - I can’t go outside and I can’t go to work, then psychologically it affects you.

“If you’ve got any problems definitely go to your GP because it’s better to be safe than sorry."

IBS is commonly diagnosed when sufferers are in their 20s, with one in five people told that they have the long-term condition at some point in their lives.

Dr Subramaniam Ramakrishnan, consultant gastroenterologist at Warrington Hospital, where Halton patients are treated, said: “IBS can affect every day life and become very difficult for patients who have this problem.

“The symptoms can be troublesome for a few months and then people get better, and again an unknown trigger or stress can cause problems.

“Treatments can vary from lifestyle changes such as not eating late or too much or changing your diet - for example there are certain sugars like fructose that your gut cannot deal with compared to naturally available sugars.

“There are also certain medicines that can slow your bowel down to help you get in control of your bowel movements or help you go if you’re not going.

“For those who are suffering in silence the important thing to remember is there’s help.

“If you’re in trouble always seek help, as it can easily be made available after simple tests."