Butterfly Health campaign provides common language education on accidental bowel leakage

Jul 25 2014

Butterfly Health launches an accidental bowel leakage (ABL) educational initiative with NAFC called "Let's Talk about Bowel Health." The campaign is designed to increase dialogue and care for ABL – a little discussed bowel health condition.

Only one in three people talk to their healthcare provider about ABL, yet this condition affects tens of millions of women and men over the age of 40. It's known in the medical literature as fecal incontinence, a term which is a barrier to conversation according to research.

"The campaign provides common language education on ABL. It paves the way for ABL to be part of the everyday health and wellness conversation," says Steven Gregg, PhD, Executive Director, National Association for Continence.

"Until recently, ABL has been mostly known by its medical term among physicians. We know there is a gap in common language for this condition," says Kelly Lewis Brezoczky, CEO, Founder, Butterfly Health and Founder, ABLinfo.org. "Just starting a conversation about ABL can make a big difference in well-being. We are proud to be partnered with NAFC on this initiative," says Ms. Brezoczky.

Brooke Gurland, MD, colorectal surgeon in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic was the clinical reviewer for the campaign brochure. "The campaign addresses ABL in a way that encourages conversation and gives patients information on both treatments and the simple things people can do to manage symptoms," says Dr. Gurland.

The need for increased ABL awareness and education was highlighted in a recent Washington Post article authored by Ms. Brezoczky titled, "It's time to end the taboo on talking about accidental bowel leakage."