World Digestive Health Day 2022

Today is World Digestive Health Day, a much anticipated day in Guts UK’s calendar – and the one day in which we shine the brightest! Guts UK is the UK’s charity for the digestive system from top to tail, all 25ft of it.

We don’t understand our guts, so when something goes wrong, we don’t like to talk about it and we don’t know where to turn to get help. Guts UK exists to change that. We want to showcase our work by sharing with you quotes from our community, the very people Guts UK exists for.

Research into our guts:

Gastroenterology (medicine relating to our digestive systems) receives less than 2% of the UK’s medical research funding.

“We know research takes time. There are rarely any quick fixes, especially for complex conditions of the digestive system. But we all have guts, and we must go faster, fund more research and ensure our guts get the attention they deserve. Perhaps by the time our little girls are ready to have families of their own, achalasia can be cured.”

-Agnieszka, Cassius, Vanessa & Steve – parents of Grace and Alia (pictured).

Our guts have been underfunded for decades. Guts UK exists to change that. Discover some of our latest research projects here. You can help the UK get to grips with guts by donating to Guts UK today.

Information on our guts:

Our digestive systems are intricate and complex. 25ft is a lot of guts to understand, but we exist to help you understand your guts.

“Like many people, we didn’t know much about pancreatitis, and this is where Guts UK were a massive help during Kev’s time in hospital. It’s vital that Guts UK raises enough money to continue helping families like ours, at a time we needed it most.”

– Nadine, sharing her husband Kev’s story, who passed away from pancreatitis.

Information is power. Information meant the world to Nadine and her family at a time of need. Please help us reach other families like Nadine & Kev’s by donating today. Discover Guts UK’s range of information here.

Awareness of our guts:

Our research shows that 58% of people feel embarrassed to talk about their digestive condition or symptoms.

“Me and my wife are much less intimate as I sometimes go to bed feeling bloated, crampy or just tired. I don’t think it’s affected how we feel about each other, but I do think my wife misses the intimacy. I’m not 100% comfortable with chatting to my other half about my bowel cramps, or with anyone else for that matter.”

– Anonymous patient with Bile Acid Malabsorption (also known as Bile Acid Diarrhoea).

The crippling taboo surrounding our guts can prevent or delay people from seeking help. Together, we can reach those who need us most. Support Guts UK today.