Diagnostic corner: Irritable bowel syndrome

USA: Scientists speculate that around 60% of us have body parts that sometimes talk to us, but Irritable Bowel Syndrome is next level – where the bowel not only converses incessantly with its host, but also speaks in a super-annoying, whiney voice.

“It’s not unlike a Jewish lady from Queens,” said Dr Ray Chabon, a prominent New York surgeon, who spoke in his capacity as a healthcare professional and also off the record as a civilian afflicted by IBS. 

World Health Observatory says: It’s sometimes impossible to drown out internal monologues, but what can work is to amplify the offending voice by speaking their words aloud. On public transport the abuse from fellow passengers can quickly cause the internal voice to shrivel, and after many years of isolation, to fade completely or find another host.