Address Your IBS- National IBS Awareness Month

April is all about IBS awareness. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is the most common gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. In fact, it affects 10-15% of the North American population. Symptoms of IBS are vague and vary from one individual to another. The purpose of this month is to shed some light on the what, where and why about IBS so you can learn how to treat it.

What are the symptoms?

Many people are unaware that they have IBS until severe symptoms begin to appear. Symptoms of IBS may include gas, bloating, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating diarrhea and constipation and many times urgency (think “I must get to a bathroom now!”). These symptoms can be debilitating and decrease the quality of your life.

Where does it hurt?

If you experience IBS symptoms, you’ll often feel waves of abdominal pain after eating specific foods. IBS usually occurs in the large intestine, interfering with the normal functioning of your colon. You may already know what foods trigger this uncomfortable feeling so you avoid them, but understanding the reasoning behind IBS can allow you to discover other foods that elicit the same discomfort.

Why causes IBS?

There isn’t one known cause for IBS, but there are several factors that can contribute to this condition. One of the factors that I am seeing more often in my IBS patients is SIBO, known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. This is where you have an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, causing an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria. More than 75% of patients with IBS also have SIBO.

There are certain foods that are easier to digest than others. Those foods that don’t get broken down and digested, sit undigested in the colon for the bacteria to happily feed upon. The result? Gas produced by these bacteria which is causing you the uncomfortable symptoms discussed above. Understanding what foods stimulate gas as a by-product is the best way to find treatment options.

How can I treat IBS?

Fortunately, there are several ways to treat IBS. Consuming smaller meals is one way to make sure you’re not overwhelming your gastrointestinal tract. In addition, several studies support the use of probiotics as a way to manage IBS symptoms. Probiotics are live microscopic organisms, known as “friendly bacteria” that keep the digestive tract healthy and functioning properly.

There is also the low FODMAP diet approach. This is the approach that I am having the most success with for my IBS patients. . FODMAP is an acronym for the types of carbohydrates that cause irritating side effects in the gut. The acronym stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These carbohydrates are short-chained and are rapidly fermented by bacteria in the gut. The bacteria that feed on these short-chain carbs produce gas and other unpleasant side effects which are major contributors to your discomfort. Slowly eliminating these foods can help you discover what foods work for you and which don’t.

The low FODMAP diet is a process and is not something that should be done on your own. A low FODMAP diet requires the expert guidance of a registered dietitian who is trained in treating IBS.

If you are suffering with IBS and would like to try the Low FODMAP approach, contact me.

Don’t let yourself live another day with the miserable experience of IBS. Take measures to ease your symptoms and live a life free of IBS discomfort.

Your Turn to Take Action: If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS, contact me here.