Question: How Much Should I Tell My Friends/Co-workers About My Spouse's IBD?
If your spouse has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you'll want to be sensitive to their feelings about who knows the details of their disease. You'll need someone to confide in from time to time about your role as the healthy spouse, but you'll want to be sure your spouse still has the privacy they need.
Answer: You should only divulge as much information as your spouse is comfortable with. Family members and friends will need to be aware when special eating and bathroom arrangements are required. As a general rule, only tell as much as your spouse wants you to.
The most important thing to realize is that this is a question that should be settled early in the relationship. Don't wait for an acquaintance or business colleague to ask before determining your answer. You don't want to be put on the spot and end up inadvertently embarrassing your significant other.
