There's a great medical need for new therapies aimed at treating irritable bowel syndrome, according to FDA gastroenterologist Tara Altepeter, MD.
Here's what you should know:
1. The FDA is working at bringing more IBS-facing treatments to the market, after the emergence of new research.
2. It's estimated that 15.3 million people or 20 percent of all Americans suffer from IBS. With unassuming symptoms, the disease often goes undiagnosed.
3. Treatments vary widely for IBS patients. For some changes in diet, nutrition and exercise can manage symptoms, while others use medication to manage their IBS. There is no cure for IBS.
4. The FDA wants to bring more treatments to the market to help the affected population better manage their IBS.