You wake up. It is sunny. The birds are chirping, and the air is finally warming up outside. April is here, and spring is starting to settle in. It should feel like a fresh start. A chance to reset, get outside, and enjoy the warmer months ahead.

But instead, your first thought is, “How long until my stomach starts to bother me?” If it is not bothering you already.

For many people living with IBS, even a season that is supposed to feel light and full of possibility can feel heavy. Instead of feeling refreshed, you feel stuck. You wonder if you will ever feel normal again. You think back to a time when your gut health was not the center of your world.

I am John Redmond, the founder of Better Blends, and I have lived with gut health issues for more than ten years. I know how all consuming it can feel when your gut seems to dictate your day, your plans, and your peace of mind. When you do not feel in control, it can leave you feeling helpless.

And yet, despite how common this experience is, it can still feel incredibly isolating.

That is part of why IBS Awareness Month matters.

Every April, IBS Awareness Month creates space for a conversation that too often goes ignored. It is a time to speak openly about what it means to live with IBS, to share stories, ask questions, find support, and remind people that they are not alone. It is a moment to bring visibility to something that affects millions of people, but is still far too often misunderstood or left out of the broader health conversation.

Because the truth is, IBS is far more common than many people realize. An estimated 10 to 15% of the global population lives with IBS, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Millions of people in the United States are navigating the same symptoms, frustrations, and uncertainty every day.

IBS and IBD are often confused. They sound similar, and both affect the digestive system. But they are not the same.

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The key difference comes down to what is happening in the body.

IBS is a functional condition. This means the gut is not working the way it should, but there is no visible damage to the digestive tract.

IBD, on the other hand, is an inflammatory disease. It causes actual, measurable inflammation and damage in the digestive system.

IBD includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.

IBS:

• No visible damage to the gut
• Symptoms include bloating, gas, and changes in digestion
• Often triggered by food, stress, or lifestyle
• Managed through diet, stress management, and routine

IBD:

• Causes inflammation and damage in the digestive tract
• Symptoms can include severe pain, fatigue, weight loss, and blood in stool
• Considered an autoimmune condition
• Often requires medical treatment and ongoing care

If you are dealing with gut issues, understanding the difference is important. IBS can feel overwhelming and disruptive, but it does not cause permanent damage to the digestive tract. IBD is more serious and requires medical diagnosis and treatment. If you are experiencing ongoing or severe symptoms, it is always important to speak with a healthcare professional.

IBS Awareness Month was established by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders in 1997. Their mission has always been to support people living with gastrointestinal disorders and to push for better education, research, and care. For years, digestive health was not openly discussed. Many people felt dismissed or misunderstood when they talked about their symptoms.

IBS Awareness Month was created to change that. It gave people a platform. A moment in time to bring visibility to something that had been largely ignored. Since then, awareness has grown. More conversations are happening. More people are speaking up.

But there is still work to be done.

IBS Awareness Month matters because it helps close the gap between what people are experiencing and the understanding they deserve. It reminds people that IBS is real, that it can have a serious impact on daily life, and that those living with it deserve to be taken seriously. It also helps normalize the conversation around digestive health, making it easier for more people to speak openly about what they are going through.

IBS Awareness Month is also about connection, education, and access. It gives people the opportunity to connect with others who understand life with IBS, while also discovering resources that can help them better understand their condition and how to manage it. For many, this month creates access to free or more visible educational content, expert guidance, supportive communities, gut-friendly products, and helpful services they may not have found otherwise. It is a chance for people to learn from experts, hear shared experiences, and find tools that make living with IBS feel less isolating and more manageable.

2. Launching Our “Gut Check” Interview Series

This month, I am launching a new series called Gut Check. In this series, I sit down with dietitians who specialize in gut health to break down topics like IBS triggers, nutrition, and daily management strategies in a way that is easy to understand and actually helpful.

But just as important, I am also talking to real people living with IBS. Because sometimes the most powerful thing is hearing someone say, “I’ve been through that too.” These conversations are honest, unfiltered, and designed to make you feel less alone.

3. Giving Back: Donating 10% of April Proceeds

We are donating 10% of all Better Blends proceeds during the month of April to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. While IBS and IBD are different conditions, they are deeply connected through the broader conversation around digestive health. Supporting research, education, and advocacy in this space is something we believe is incredibly important, and this is one small way we can contribute to a bigger impact.

4. Hosting a Community Giveaway with Low FODMAP Brands

We have teamed up with several gut friendly and Low FODMAP brands to host a large giveaway this month. The goal is simple: introduce you to products that are designed with sensitive guts in mind and make your daily routine a little easier. This giveaway is also about community. Bringing together brands that truly care about digestive health and creating something fun and supportive for the people we serve. 

If there is one thing I hope you take away from all of this, it is this: You are not alone, and there are people and brands out there working every day to support you.

Intoleran1. Attend the IBS Warrior Summit

Events like the IBS Warrior Summit bring together dietitians, experts, and people living with IBS to share real strategies and experiences.

These summits are one of the best ways to learn what actually works, hear from professionals, and feel connected to a larger community that understands what you are going through.

2. Run a 5k event supporting IBD/IBS

Many communities host IBS Awareness walks, runs, or wellness events during April.

Whether you are running, walking, or just showing up to support, these events help bring visibility to IBS in a way that is public, empowering, and community-driven.

3. Donate to Organizations Supporting Digestive Health

Supporting organizations like the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation helps fund research, education, and resources for people navigating digestive conditions.

Even a small donation contributes to a larger mission of improving care and understanding in this space.

4. Support Brands that make IBS friendly products! 

Not all products are created with IBS in mind. Supporting brands that prioritize gut-friendly ingredients, transparency, and education helps push the industry forward and makes it easier for more people to find products they can actually tolerate.

Brands like Better Blends, Bellycious, Intoleran, FODZYME, and Gourmend are helping make life easier for people with sensitive guts by creating products designed with digestive needs in mind. Whether it is gut-friendly protein powder, digestive enzyme support, or low FODMAP pantry staples, these kinds of brands are showing that people with IBS deserve better options.

By choosing to support companies that are actively thinking about digestive health, you are not just finding products that may work better for your body — you are also helping grow a market that is more inclusive, thoughtful, and supportive of the IBS community.

5. find a dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in IBS.

If you are struggling with ongoing symptoms, working with a dietitian or nutritionist who specializes in IBS can make a huge difference. The right expert can help you better understand your triggers, build a plan that feels realistic, and support you in finding relief without the overwhelm. Having guidance from someone who truly understands digestive health can make the process feel more personal, manageable, and empowering.

Monash University has a free tool that help you search for dietitians who have completed their official training and filter by location or language. (follow this link to find a dietitian near you!)