Lauren Bell was stressed out and just starting her first job post-college in New York City when she realized a bout of food poisoning wasn’t going away after weeks.
A doctor’s appointment revealed she had irritable bowel syndrome, a surprising diagnosis — until she learned more about the connection between mental health and gut health, as well as the prevalence of digestive problems among women.
“Working in a pretty intense environment, living in the city and being an adult for the first time was doing a number on my body,” the 27-year-old said of her diagnosis five years ago.
Every few months, a new TikTok about digestive problems goes viral — the taboo topic often being brought up by women who suggest tips to reduce bloat or ease pain. Experts say it’s not clear whether there is an uptick in the number of people having digestive problems or if the online conversation is leading to more appointments and diagnoses.