IBS as it is best known, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome for its full title, can be a very confusing and frustrating condition, despite it being one of the most common. One of the main reasons it can be confusing is because it looks or feels very different for everyone, so the symptoms you have might not be the same as your friend who also has IBS. On the whole though it is generally an uncomfortable condition yet sometimes can feel debilitating with symptoms such as pain, bloating, diarrhoea, gas and constipation.
The good news is that IBS doesn’t normally cause permanent damage to the intestines, however, it really can have a significant impact on your daily life, affecting everything from your diet, to what clothes you can wear, to the activities you can do as well as your mental wellbeing.
Fortunately, with the right diet and lifestyle plan you can control your symptoms and improve your quality of life no end!
The exact cause of IBS is still not really fully understood. However, there are a number of factors that are believed to be key contributors and these are:
It can be easy to confuse IBS and IBD, after all, there is only one letter different in the names. However, there is a big difference between the two.
Firstly, although there is only one letter different, they do stand for different things. IBS, as mentioned earlier is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome while IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
While they both affect the digestive system and can share some similar symptoms they are very different conditions. Although IBS can feel very debilitating and impact life greatly it generally doesn’t cause permanent damage while IBD does cause physical damage to the gut and needs to be taken very seriously.
Lets take a look at some of the key differences:
If you do ever experience any of the symptoms associated with IBD such as unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool or persistent diarrhoea then you need to visit your doctor to get this investigated further.
The symptoms of IBS really can vary, and so don’t just dismiss it or worry if your symptoms aren’t the same as somebody elses.
The most common symptoms of IBS include:
Some people may also experience symptoms outside of the digestive system, such as headaches, joint pain, and a frequent need to urinate. These symptoms can sometimes be linked to a heightened sensitivity in the nervous system, which plays a key role in how IBS affects the body.
This is why managing stress and overall lifestyle is just as important as diet when it comes to reducing flare-ups of IBS.
Unfortunately there is no single way or test to diagnose IBS. In fact, the diagnosis generally comes as a result of ruling out other conditions such as IBD. Diagnosing IBS is generally done by doctors through a combination of symptom history, ruling out other conditions and clinical guidelines. Here’s a little more information about all of these:
Getting an accurate diagnosis is important to be able to ensure you can put in place the right strategies to help ease your symptoms and also rule out anything more serious.
Sometimes you still don’t get the answers you want from the general testing available, or even if you have been given a diagnosis of IBS you are still left with lots of questions such as why is this happening and what can I do?
With this in mind there are a number of private testing options available that can help you look at what is going on in more detail covering areas such as what levels of good and bad bacteria you have and if you have any missing or too many of others, they can see if you have any parasites or infections and also look at the integrity of your gut and whether or not you are producing the right amount of things like bile or stomach acid which help you break down you food.
There are a number of different companies available that offer these tests, and for the more detailed and accurate tests you will need to work with a registered Nutritionist.
In the UK the main company I use with clients is Invivo Healthcare who provide a relatively simple to do test but with lots of great detail. You can find out more about it here and if you want to consider one of these tests then please get in touch and I can arrange this for you as part of a nutrition consultation or programme.
Diet plays a really critical role in the management of IBS and the severity of the symptoms you might feel. While the individual triggers for IBS symptoms will vary from person to person there are certain foods that are often more likely to cause a flare-up and worsen symptoms, while there are others that more well known to help ease the symptoms and support gut health.
A Low-FODMAP diet is often recommended for people with IBS to help manage symptoms. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that the gut struggles to absorb and these can then lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhoea. Some of the foods high in FODMAPs include onions, garlic, beans, wheat, legumes and certain fruits and avoiding these can help identify individual triggers.
While there is a lot of information on the internet about Low FODMAP diets and what you should and shouldn’t eat, you’ll probably find it quite overwhelming, confusing and often the food lists are different. I would always recommend only following a Low-FODMAP diet while working with a nutritionist. This is because everyone is different and so following a one size fits all approach might not work for you, so you are better off getting tailored advice. Also, you hopefully won’t need to follow this diet really strictly forever. If you work with a nutritionist they can help you eliminate the right foods, repair your gut while you do it, and then help you re-introduce as many foods as possible back into your diet in a safe and controlled way so as to not cause any further issues or symptoms.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a common problem affecting many people in the UK and is one of the most common conditions I see in my clinic. Here are some of the most common questions I get asked about IBS:
It is estimated that around 10 million people in the UK are affected by IBS, making it a common disorder, but not one we often talk about.
While there is no cure for IBS, symptoms can be managed and reduced through dietary and lifestyle changes, stress management and in some cases, supplements or medications may help.
Stress can definitely make IBS symptoms worse. It can influence how food passes through our digestive system and increase sensitivity in our gut. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and exercise prove really helpful in managing your IBS.
Some probiotics may help balance gut bacteria and improve symptoms like bloating and diarrhoea, but the effects can vary and even make some people feel worse. Choosing the right strain is really important so always work with a nutritionist to determine whether probiotics can help you and which ones to take.
Yes, for some people with IBS they can experience back pain, which is often due to bloating, gas, or is referred pain from the gut. While IBS doesn’t directly cause back issues the discomfort from the gut can radiate to the lower back. Alongside this poor posture, tension or stress may also contribute.
IBS itself doesn’t cause any changes to your weight, but it is often the dietary changes or restrictions along with the severity of symptoms that can lead to changes and fluctuations in weight.
IBS symptoms can change over time but aging doesn’t necessarily mean your IBS will get worse. Triggers and tolerances can change and evolve over time and some women going through menopause also often report changes in their IBS symptoms.
Many people with IBS have food sensitivities and react to certain foods causing a flare in their symptoms. Lactose and gluten are two of the most common but other foods can be an issues and it is almost always different from person to person. Also, just because you might have an intolerance to a certain food, this is not the same as being allergic.
If you experience persistent or severe symptoms it is important to consult a doctor to rule out any other conditions and receive the correct diagnosis and appropriate advice or management plan.
Common symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, excessive gas, and changes to your bowel movements, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both.
Managing IBS can be really overwhelming, but I can help provide specific advice and guidance just for you. As a nutritionist I can help you:
So if you’re struggling with IBS I can support you to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Please get in touch for personalised support for IBS and book a free introductory call to understand how I can help you here.
