The medical symptoms of IBD include inflammation of the gut, ulceration, abdominal pain, increased stool frequency and bleeding. Patients often experience a poor quality of life with uncontrolled, urgent bowel movements up to 10 or more times a day, which can result in soiling of clothing and bedding. Patients may have to give up work and normal social activities, becoming house bound. Leaving home to attend an appointment at the hospital for treatment can be a significant challenge.

The two major forms of IBD are Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. IBD is becoming a major health problem. It is estimated that over 7 million people suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis worldwide. The majority live in the United States and Europe however, there is evidence of increasing prevalence in the rest of the world, including Africa, Asia and South America.

Gastrointestinal dysmotility with symptoms of nausea, bloating, abdominal pain and constipation is a feature of a number of chronic diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Systemic Scleroderma and Parkinson’s Disease. There are limited treatment options for these distressing symptoms that can be safely taken on a long term basis and be well tolerated. With advances in the treatments for the underlying diseases, people with these chronic disorders are living longer and more active lives, hence there is a growing need for effective management of their gastrointestinal dysmotility symptoms.