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Teen IBS Often Fades by Adulthood, Study Finds
4 Feb
Summary
- Two-thirds of teens with IBS no longer show symptoms at age 24.
- High stress, poor sleep, and family history predict persistent IBS.
- Early lifestyle and mental well-being interventions are crucial.
A new long-term study offers encouraging news for adolescents struggling with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indicating that most will outgrow the condition. Researchers from Sweden tracked more than 2,500 individuals born in the 1990s, assessing their digestive health at ages 16 and 24.
The study, published in Gastroenterology, revealed that 66% of teenagers initially diagnosed with IBS were symptom-free eight years later. This suggests that IBS in adolescence is a dynamic condition, with many experiencing improvement over time. However, the research also identified a subset of 34% for whom symptoms persisted into their 20s.
Factors strongly predicting ongoing IBS included a prior diagnosis at age 16, high psychological stress, inadequate sleep, food hypersensitivities, and a generally lower self-rated health. A family history of IBS also significantly increased the risk of persistent symptoms, pointing to potential genetic and environmental influences.
Researchers emphasize that adolescence presents a critical window for intervention. Addressing lifestyle factors like sleep, mental well-being, and gastrointestinal health, particularly within families with a history of IBS, could substantially reduce the likelihood of long-term symptoms. Early support can transform a potential lifelong struggle into a manageable hurdle.
