Frequent bathroom trips before a job interview? Avoid sugar-free gum with xylitol, experts say

For many people, stressful moments like job interviews or public speaking come with an unexpected and disruptive companion — an upset stomach. One possible cause behind this is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic gut disorder that affects around 1.4 million people in South Korea alone. Kim, 28, a job seeker based in Seoul, shared her experience of repeatedly dealing with abdominal pain and frequent trips to the bathroom before interviews. “Even when I avoided spicy or salty food days in advance, my stomach always hurt on the day of the interview,” she said. “Doctors say it’s just nerves and tell me to calm down, but it’s not that simple.” IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by cramping, diarrhea, constipation or alternating symptoms, often triggered by stress, diet or environmental changes. It’s not caused by structural abnormalities but rather by overly sensitive gut muscles and nerves. May 29 marked World Digestive Health Day, an occasion to raise awareness of conditions like IBS. According to Korea’s Health Insurance Review and AssessmeWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times