What is "IBS"?
You've probably experienced stomach pain, bloating, and cramping before, right? That is normal. However, if it becomes chronic and recurring, you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms and treatments for IBS.
10-15% of people worldwide suffer from IBS, and 20-40% of all visits to GI doctors are due to IBS symptoms.
As this condition isn't uncommon, it's important to know the facts.
What is "IBS"?
IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
IBS is not one single disease. Many different diseases are likely accompanied by the same symptoms of abnormal bowel movements and recurrent abdominal pain.
People who suffer from IBS have changes in their bowel movements that can cause constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. IBS is the most common condition diagnosed by gastroenterologists.
What causes IBS?
The exact cause of IBS is unknown. However, IBS can be triggered or caused by a disturbance in the way that the gut, brain, and nervous systems interact and communicate with each other.
Potential triggers of IBS can be...
Stress
Diet
Poor sleep
Past infection
IBS affects about twice as many women as men and is mainly found in individuals younger than 45 years old.
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By application onlyClick for Executive Health Coaching or Executive Health Navigation with Dr. DooreckHow is IBS diagnosed?
There is no test to definitively diagnose IBS. Instead, your GI doctor asks you about symptoms you may be experiencing. They then eliminate other health conditions or infections.
Unfortunately, for many, the road to diagnosis can be long and difficult. IBS diagnoses are often delayed because people don't think their symptoms are serious enough to go to a doctor. Even once they go to a doctor, the doctor might just tell them that they're too stressed or to come back if their bowel problems get worse. This is why it's so important to know all the facts about IBS.
How can I treat IBS?
There is no cure for IBS. However, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to lessen your symptoms. Your local GI doctor can provide you guidance for IBS treatment. They will likely recommend home remedies before medication. These can include:
Regular physical exercise
Cutting back on caffeinated beverages
Eating smaller meal portions
Taking probiotics to relieve gas and bloating
Avoid deep-fried or spicy foods that can irritate your bowels.
Reducing stress via meditation, therapy, or yoga.
Get enough sleep
Here are some takeaways on this from a public health point of view.
IBS doesn't have to control your life. By keeping a healthy and balanced diet, you can prevent flareups and help ease symptoms. Read this blog post to learn more about the role your diet can play in treating IBS.
Personally
I eat a high fiber, mostly plant-based 🌱 diet, no red meat, drink 4 liters of water a day, exercise, and am focused on keeping nutrition simple. I am sharing what works for me and what I routinely recommend to my patients.
"Balance. Portion control. Keep nutrition simple. Eat Smart. Eat Healthy. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
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