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Let me ask you something. What do Tyra Banks, Camille Grammer and Cybil Sheppard all have in common? They all suffer from irritable bowel syndrome ' along with about 20% of the rest of the population, according to recent studies.

I'm the IBS Diva. And I say having irritable bowel syndrome doesn't have to be a death sentence. There are ways not only to cope but to thrive and live a happy, healthy life. Yes, I know, it can be a bit embarrassing at times ' always searching for the nearest bathroom whenever you go out, getting up in the middle of movies and only eating certain foods.

The IBS Diva doesn't let that get in the way of her good time, though. And you shouldn't let get in the way of yours, either.

Here are the IBS Diva's three simple pieces of advice for coping with irritable bowel syndrome.

1. You're still fabulous, honey. Act like it. Change your mindset about this functional disorder. You're not an outcast. You're a tough, no-nonsense leader. Believe it.

2. Don't stress ' just rest. Just like the IBS Diva, you need your beauty sleep. Make sure you get at least eight hours per night. Let your body rejuvenate and heal during the night. Then you can wake up fabulous like the IBS Diva.

3. Keep searching. Even the IBS Diva searches for solutions for irritable bowel syndrome. Let's face it. Having this disorder is no walk in the park. But there are ways to cope and live a happy, healthy life. Search for them while you're on your journey to self acceptance. It can only help.

Honey, you have to look at irritable bowel syndrome as a challenge that you must overcome, not as a death sentence. With the proper mind set and a willingness to try new and effective dietary changes and medical solutions, you can live a healthy and happy life with IBS.