Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Pretty Expensive!

One would believe that smoking is a habit that no only harms the body, but also costs a lot of money. Basically, the IBS can be as costly as any other bad habit. Another proof of the fact that health is the most important thing in the world!

The aggregate cost of irritable bowel syndrome in the United States only has been estimated at $1.7-$10 billion in direct medical costs, with an additional $20 billion in indirect costs! This means that, on an yearly basis, $30 billion are spent by people suffering from the IBS. Just take a second and think what the US (or any other country) could do with so much money and healthy people!

A study on Medicaid costs conducted in 2003 by the University of Georgia's College of Pharmacy and Novartis found IBS was associated in an increase of $962 in Medicaid costs in California, and $2,191 in North Carolina. IBS patients had higher costs for physician visits, outpatients visits, and prescription drugs. The study suggested the costs associated with IBS were comparable to those found in asthma patients.

So, I repeat: try to prevent! It’s not only good for yourself and your finances, but it also takes a lot of pain from friends and family! Live a healthy life, keep your body healthy and your colon happy!