Treatment Options for IBS Sufferers

April is National Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month. IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes a range of symptoms including cramping, bloating and pain in the abdominal area as well as gas, diarrhea and constipation. If you are someone who suffers from IBS know that you are not alone – up to 20% of American adults experience IBS at some point in their lives. However, because the symptoms of IBS vary in frequency and severity, a lot of people go undiagnosed, which makes it that more important to raise awareness of this health issue.

Though IBS has been identified as a defined medical condition, doctors are still trying to paint a clear picture of what the condition is and what causes it. Though there is currently no cure for IBS, there are treatment options and approaches you can take to improve the symptoms. If you frequently experience abdominal discomfort, consider doing the following to best understand how IBS could be affecting you:

• Educate yourself: Take the time to do some personal research to get the facts on what IBS is and what it is not. Understand that IBS is a lifelong condition and that symptoms can come and go and often change over time.

• Daily Diary: This is an effective way to help you get a better idea of your bowel disorder and will allow you to discover what is triggering your symptoms. Keep a daily diary recording what your symptoms are, when they occur, what activities you were doing when the symptoms flared up, possible stressors that may have been effecting you as well as what foods you were eating that day. It is recommended that you keep a symptom diary for about 2-3 weeks.

• Consult Your Physician: Talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment options for IBS. Stress management, medication, pain management and relaxation techniques have all been suggested methods of treatment for IBS.

• Consult with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: The newest nutrition therapy for treating IBS is using a Low FODMAP Diet approach. FODMAPs is an acronym that stands for: Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are forms of carbohydrates that might be causing your symptoms. An elimination diet followed by FODMAPs food challenges may help you identify the foods causing your symptoms. Seventy-five percent of IBS sufferers report improvement in symptoms when following the Low FODMAPs Diet.

Your turn to take action: For more information on using the Low FODMAP Diet to treat IBS, click HERE or email bonnie@brghealth.com