What is "IBS"?
- Brian Dooreck MD
- Nov 19, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22, 2023
You've probably experienced stomach pain, bloating, and cramping before, right? That is normal. However, you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS if it becomes chronic and recurring.
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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, knowing the facts is important.
What is "IBS"?
IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
IBS is not one single disease. The same symptoms of abnormal bowel movements and recurrent abdominal pain likely accompany many diseases.
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 how the gut, brain, and nervous systems interact and communicate.
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.
How is IBS diagnosed?
There is no test to diagnose IBS definitively. Instead, your GI doctor asks you about symptoms you may be experiencing. They then eliminate other health conditions or infections.
Unfortunately, the road to diagnosis can be long and difficult for many. IBS diagnoses are often delayed because people don't think their symptoms are severe enough to go to a doctor. Even once they go to a doctor, the doctor might tell them they're too stressed or to return if their bowel problems worsen. This is why knowing all the facts about IBS is so important.
How can I treat IBS?
There is no cure for IBS. However, you can make many lifestyle changes to lessen your symptoms. Your local GI doctor can provide you with 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.
diverse
IBS doesn't have to control your life. Keeping a healthy and balanced diet can prevent flare-ups and help ease symptoms. Read this blog post to learn more about your diet's role 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. 🌱 🌾 🌿"
Gut Health ➕ Patient Advocacy with Navigation ➕ Life Balance
If you were looking for information about Private Healthcare Navigation and Patient Advocacy from Executive Health NavigationClick here for Executive Health Navigation✴ Connect with Dr. Dooreck on LinkedIn, where he focuses his sharing on Health, Diet, Nutrition, Exercise, Lifestyle, and Balance.
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