What IBD Patients Need To Know About Bowel Urgency

Bowel urgency, the sudden and immediate need to have a bowel movement, is a common symptom for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Yet patients with IBD, including Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis, may find it is an embarrassing symptom to talk about with their healthcare providers. As a result, these patients live with an increasing burden and impact on their daily lives. Dr. Tauseef Ali joins us from the  American College of Gastroenterology's annual scientific meeting to help patients understand that bowel urgency is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about and offers tips to help patients feel more comfortable speaking with their healthcare providers. Dr. Ali explains what's happening in our gut when we feel the urge to hurry to the nearest bathroom, and why, since the causes and mechanism of bowel urgency in IBD are complex, open and honest communication between patients and healthcare providers is vital to achieve an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.