Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a complex, often misinterpreted and even misdiagnosed gastrointestinal condition that disproportionately affects women. With symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and cramping in the abdomen, IBS may cause life to be significantly altered. However, despite its familiarity, social stigma tends to deter women from seeking needed assistance. Familiarization with the symptoms, risks, and treatments is required for enhancing physical and mental health.

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, between 25 to 45 million Americans have IBS, two-thirds of them women—young adults and often. Though no one yet fully understands the underlying cause for the gender disparity, hormonal fluctuations clearly seem to play a strong factor. According to studies, GI symptoms usually get worse at some point during the menstrual cycle, and post-menopausal women with IBS experience worse symptoms, increased fatigue, anxiety, and diminished quality of life.

Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may also affect the gut, but this relationship is under research. Further, women suffering from gynecological diseases such as endometriosis or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) typically experience increased pelvic and abdominal pain, which points to similar mechanisms for reproductive and gastrointestinal health.

Why IBS Feels More Than Just an Upset Stomach?

IBS is not limited to painful bowel habits- diarrhea and constipation can aggravate or lead to hemorrhoids, and diet restriction for symptom relief can result in nutritional deficiencies. Psychologically, the disease's impact tends to cause isolation, discouragement, and depression, severely impairing quality of life.

New research also points to the gut-brain axis—a communication network between the gut and the brain—that is crucial to IBS. Persistent stress, a widespread problem in women, may worsen symptoms by disrupting this important link. Not surprising, therefore, are anxiety and depression as both risk factors for, and consequences of, IBS.

IBS Symptoms To Watch For

While IBS in itself is not usually troublesome, long-term change in bowel habits may indicate a more serious disorder, like cancer of the colon or rectum. Specialists at Mayo Clinic recommend undergoing medical assessment if the symptoms involve bleeding in the rectum, unexplained loss of weight, or regular change in the bowel movement. Diagnosis usually takes a "diagnosis of exclusion" approach, excluding other gastrointestinal disorders before diagnosing IBS.

Perhaps the most infuriating part of IBS is how it's diagnosed. There's no test to give a firm answer; doctors make educated guesses based on symptom patterns and excluding other possibilities. In a nationwide study conducted at Cedars-Sinai in December 2023, researchers found that IBS is more prevalent than once thought, an observation that speaks volumes about a desperate need for more effective diagnostic testing and education of patients.

While IBS can impact anyone, it tends to be more prevalent among women. Studies show a higher prevalence rate of 12% in women compared to 8.6% in men. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly around the menstrual cycle, appear to play a significant role in how symptoms manifest and intensify.

In fact, many women with IBS report a noticeable worsening of gastrointestinal symptoms during their menstrual periods. This pattern highlights the connection between hormonal changes and gut health. Beyond typical digestive distress, women with IBS frequently encounter a broader set of complications that can affect their overall well-being.

Common Symptoms of IBS in Women:

• Constipation and/or diarrhea, often alternating
• Persistent bloating and abdominal discomfort
• Fatigue and low energy levels
• Exacerbation of menstrual symptoms, such as cramping and pain
• Urinary symptoms, including urgency and frequency
• Chronic pelvic pain that overlaps with gynecological conditions
• Pelvic organ prolapse, especially in severe or long-standing cases
• Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Increased incidence of migraines
• Higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders

Are Your Hormones Making Your Digestive Symptoms Worse?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women does not seem to significantly relieve IBS symptoms, but it can change the gut microbiome—an ecosystem increasingly seen as vital to digestive well-being. Some early data also indicate that the immune systems of women might contribute to IBS development. Since women are more prone to autoimmune disorders, these results present yet another potential explanation for the gender disparity of IBS cases.

Stress isn't solely an issue of mental health—it appears physically, particularly in the stomach. Women, being more susceptible to anxiety and stress, are thus more susceptible to stress-related IBS attacks. The gut-brain axis makes this interaction possible, with distress signals going back and forth between the intestines and the brain. Tackling mental health is thus a necessary part of IBS management.

Why a One-Size-Fits-All Treatment Doesn't Work for IBS in Women?

IBS management is individualized because symptoms and exacerbating factors differ greatly. Gastroenterologists, functional medicine physicians, and nutritionists tend to work together to develop tailored treatment plans. Diet continues to be a fundamental aspect of IBS management, with the low FODMAP diet becoming the gold standard. This entails limiting consumption of certain fermentable carbohydrates that may worsen symptoms.

Alongside dietary treatments, the exploding gut health market provides new choices—from probiotics to fiber supplements—that are de-stigmatizing gut care. And with the global wellness market for gut supplements estimated to grow from $9 billion to $19 billion by 2033, it is unmistakable that both treatment opportunities and public knowledge are shifting.

What is The "Hot Girls Have IBS" Movement?

The catchphrase "Hot Girls Have IBS" came into vogue in 2019, illuminating the prevalence of the disease among young women. What was originally a joking meme has developed into a moving recognition that struggles with gut health are real, prevalent, and not something to be embarrassed about. As gut health becomes an important cornerstone of wellness culture, more women are speaking out, getting help, and initiating frank discussions about something previously considered shameful.

IBS is much more than an in-convenient digestive problem—it's a complex condition that affects physical well-being, emotional health, and overall quality of life. Particularly for women, disproportionately impacted, early recognition of the symptoms and personalized, holistic treatment can turn life with IBS from one of quiet agony to empowered control. As awareness increases and stigma decreases, the future promises well for millions living with this chronic but controllable condition.

West Nile Cases in the US: The United States seems to be facing a fresh health challenge this season. After a rise in COVID-19 cases, Los Angeles County has now confirmed its first human infections of West Nile virus for 2025.

According to LA County Department of Public Health officials, four residents have been hospitalised with the mosquito-borne illness between late July and late August. The patients are from the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and central Los Angeles, and all are currently recovering.

With West Nile virus once again making its presence felt, it is important to understand the disease and the precautionary steps that can help lower the risk of infection.

West Nile Virus: How the Virus Is Spreading In The US

West Nile virus continues to be the most widespread mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. The World Health Organization warns that while most infections are mild or even unnoticed, the virus can, in rare cases, lead to fatal neurological disease.

Roughly 80% of people who contract West Nile show no symptoms at all. Transmission occurs primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The first confirmed cases of the 2025 season were reported this week by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

ALSO READ: West Nile Virus Isn't Over Yet, New Cases In US On Rise

“The first human cases of West Nile virus are an important reminder that we all need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding,” said Dr Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. He added that mosquitoes flourish in hot weather, which raises the risk of both bites and mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile virus is usually detected in LA County during the summer months, when warm overnight temperatures help mosquito populations thrive. On average, the county records about 56 human cases each year. Officials believe the real number is much higher, since most infections either cause no illness or only mild symptoms. Of those reported, however, three-quarters are considered severe, and about 10% of those cases result in death from complications.

What Are the First Signs of West Nile Virus?

Most people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms, about 80% remain asymptomatic. For the remaining 20%, the illness typically appears as West Nile fever, which includes flu-like signs such as fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a rash on the trunk or swollen lymph nodes, according to the World Health Organization.

In rare cases, the infection can progress to a severe neuroinvasive disease such as encephalitis, meningitis, or poliomyelitis. Symptoms of this form include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, stupor, tremors, seizures, muscle weakness, paralysis, and in extreme cases, coma. Around 1 in 150 infected individuals develop such severe illness.

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Although serious disease can occur at any age, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems such as transplant recipients face the highest risk of complications. The incubation period for West Nile virus usually ranges from 3 to 14 days after a mosquito bite.

West Nile Virus Treatment: Do We Have a Vaccine Yet?

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus in humans. Care is supportive, especially for patients with neuroinvasive disease. Severe cases may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and measures to prevent secondary infections.

West Nile Virus Precaution Tips

Since no licensed vaccine or medication exists to prevent West Nile virus, the most effective protection is avoiding mosquito bites. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps:

• Use insect repellent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Wear long, loose-fitting clothing to reduce exposed skin.
• Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active.
• Keep mosquitoes out by using window and door screens or air conditioning where possible.

Prevention is always better than cure, and the simplest way to stay protected from West Nile virus is by keeping mosquitoes at bay.

Global pop star Selena Gomez has opened up about developing arthritis as a consequence of lupus. The singer, who has long been candid about her health challenges, was first diagnosed with lupus in 2013 and later underwent a kidney transplant.

In a recent conversation with Amy Poehler on her podcast ‘Good Hang with Amy Poehler,’ Gomez discussed her Rare Beauty brand, including its easy-to-use packaging, and shared how her personal health experiences influenced these choices. “I have arthritis in my fingers because of my lupus,” she said. “Before I started the right treatment, even simple things like opening a water bottle were really painful.”

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation throughout the body. In this disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues instead of protecting them. Depending on which tissues are affected, lupus can impact the skin, blood, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, or lungs.

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Medically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus can affect anyone, though it is far more common in women, particularly those between 15 and 45 years of age. Symptoms vary widely and may include joint pain, fatigue, rashes, and even complications involving internal organs. The disease is unpredictable—it can remain quiet for months and then flare up suddenly, often without warning.

For Selena Gomez, lupus has been more than a medical diagnosis; it has profoundly influenced her life. She first publicly shared her lupus diagnosis in 2015, explaining how she had to pause her career to focus on treatment.

How Does Lupus Trigger Arthritis?

On a recent episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Selena Gomez revealed that lupus caused arthritis in her fingers. Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from joint wear and tear, lupus-related arthritis stems from immune system dysfunction. When the immune system attacks its own tissues, it can lead to:

• Inflammation and swelling in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees
• Painful stiffness, often worse in the morning
• Flare-ups that make even simple tasks, like opening a water bottle, difficult

• Painless mouth sores
• Skin rashes, including the classic butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
• Fatigue and unexplained fevers
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or confusion
• Sensitivity to light and hair loss

Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus predominantly affects women, with about nine out of ten cases occurring in females. Early recognition is key to timely diagnosis and effective management. Common early signs include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Joint pain or swelling, especially in hands, wrists, and knees
• Skin rashes, particularly the butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Raynaud’s phenomenon, where fingers and toes turn white or blue in response to cold or stress

Managing LupusCurrently, there is no cure for lupus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and reducing flare-ups, with the goal of putting the disease into remission, which means long periods without symptoms.

A 59-year-old woman came in for a follow-up visit for her shingles. During her appointment, she mentioned a small detail: she'd been feeling some skipped heartbeats, and her heart rate was a bit jumpy.

The woman had some preexisting health issues like being overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. Her comment about the jumpy heartbeat caught the attention of the doctor.

These small complaints led her doctor to do a more detailed check-up. An EKG, a test that checks the heart's electrical activity, revealed some key signs. The results showed that she had already suffered a heart attack, even though she hadn't felt it.

This was a 2023 case study published in the Cureus, doctors call this a "silent heart attack," or silent myocardial infarction (SMI). Unlike a typical heart attack, a silent one has no symptoms or only very mild ones, so people don't realize what's happening and don't get medical help. These cases are often discovered by chance during a routine check-up.

While you may not have heard of such cases before, they are not as uncommon as you may think they are. According to American Heart Association, of the estimated 805,000 heart attacks each year in US, 170,000 of them are silent heart attacks.

As the name suggests, these attacks are difficult to recognize but not impossible. We spoke to consultant interventional cardiologists Pankaj Vinod Jariwala of Yashoda Hospitals and Dr. P Praveen Kumar of Karpagam Hospital Dr. Krunal Tamakuwala KD Hospital, to understand more about it.

Who Is At Risk for Silent Heart Attacks?

Silent heart attacks are becoming more common, and they aren't just affecting older men. Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs. Dr Jariwala said, “They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours.”

As Dr. Krunal Tamakuwala points out, the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored. By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged. “Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first.” explained Dr Tamakuwala

What Are The Symptoms Of Silent Heart Attacks?

Many people mistake the early signs of a silent heart attack for everyday issues. Symptoms like

• Acidity
• Shoulder pain
• Tiredness

These are often brushed off as normal problems from a busy lifestyle. In places like India, people tend to make the problem worse by self-medicating with antacids or painkillers, which only delays getting proper medical help.

The reason these heart attacks are so confusing is due to something called referred pain. According to Dr. P Praveen Kumar, the nerves that carry pain signals from the heart are the same ones that connect to the stomach, back, and shoulders. This means that a problem with your heart can cause discomfort in another part of your body.

For people with diabetes, the situation is even more complicated. They may not feel the classic chest pain at all because their nerve sensitivity is reduced. For them, a silent heart attack might feel like

• Simple bloating
• Indigestion
• A dull backache.

The key is to remember that not all heart attacks announce themselves with a dramatic crushing pain. Dr Praveen warns, “f these symptoms are joined by sweating, breathlessness, or dizziness, you should seek medical help immediately.”

Doctors emphasize that lifestyle choices are key to keeping your heart healthy. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and managing stress are no longer optional, especially in countries like India, where heart disease is affecting younger people. “Everyday aches may feel ordinary, but when it comes to the heart, they could be the difference between early intervention and irreversible damage.”