This Dawson’s Creek Star Opens Up About Having IBS
Updated: Jan. 16, 2018
While you might think talking about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is TMI. This star is shedding light on a common (but not talked about) health issue.
Dawson’s Creek’s Busy Philipps isn’t shy about dealing with IBS
They say stars are just like us – but with all of the diamonds and red carpets and private planes, it’s hard to believe that’s true. That is, until one of them opens up about a less-than-glamorous issue that so many of us can relate to. Remember how honest Aubrey was on Dawson’s Creek? Well, Busy Philipps is even more so with her recent Instagram post! In this case, that less-than-glamorous issue is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
According to the Mayo Clinic, IBS is a “common disorder that affects the large intestine.” Most of us probably have experienced symptoms of IBS, which include cramping, diarrhea or constipation, bloating and gas.
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Busy Philipps, known for her roles on Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek, and Cougar Town, shared an intimate look at what it means to have IBS with her 806,000 Instagram followers.
From prepping for a colonoscopy to a picture of her “hot Polish nurse,” the 38-year-old star shared a step-by-step account of what the procedure entails, including her fashion-forward backless hospital gown. (“’Like I feel like they would sell something like this at @tenoversix and I would buy it.”)
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Philipps didn’t hold back when she was preparing saying, “I’m about to have to drink that stuff that makes you empty everything out of your system. I’m kind of excited and I am kind of scared.” While she didn’t share why exactly she was having the test — according to WebMD, colonoscopies are used to determine if there any abnormalities in the colon — it’s most likely related to her IBS.
In order for doctors to get a clear look at the colon and assess whether there’s anything suspicious, the colon needs to be clear. This means fasting beforehand and drinking a strong laxative. Once the colon is clear, doctors use a camera called a colonoscope (now you know why they call it a colonoscopy!) to explore the length of the colon, all the way to the large intestine.
While Busy’s colonoscopy turned out to be fine, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention if you experience any of the IBS symptoms regularly.
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