Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Information

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common bowel problem, and one that the medical system offers little help for, so it is up to you to find out more for yourself.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Products

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Information

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Books etc.
Related Pages : Food Allergy & Food Intolerance : Probiotics : Diarrhoea : Constipation : Coeliac Disease : Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn's Disease) : Bowel Cancer ::

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a range of conditions connected to a disturbance of the large bowel that can cause various symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms may be mild and infrequent, perhaps only happening when a certain food is eaten, or so severe and frequent they can turn everyday activities into a nightmare; dealing with the pain can be distressing and having to constantly dash to the loo whilst at work, shopping, or socializing, is embarrassing and inconvenient. It’s often a long-term (chronic) condition, though there may be periods when the symptoms completely disappear, only to reappear later. The symptoms can also change.

Are there different types of IBS?

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) categorises IBS according to the type of bowel motion you mainly experience:

Alternating constipation and diarrhoea – IBS-A
Constipation predominant – IBS-C
Diarrhoea predominant – IBS-D

Identifying the type of IBS you suffer from can help you determine which dietary and lifestyle changes, supplements and medications might help you the most.

Who gets IBS?

IBS affects up to one in three people in the UK population at some point in their lives and usually develops during the teens and early adulthood. Up to one in five people are thought to be suffering from IBS at any one time. Two to three times as many women suffer from IBS as men.

I think I have IBS - should I see my GP?

NICE recommends that if you experience any of these symptoms - abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, or a change in bowel habits for at least six months you should be assessed for IBS. Whilst IBS isn’t life-threatening and can often be managed by making dietary and lifestyle changes, it’s important to visit your GP, who can carry out simple tests to rule out other more serious conditions such as coeliac disease , ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or bowel cancer . Always see your GP as soon as possible if you notice blood in your stools.

What causes IBS?

Because there are a number of different IBS symptoms it’s likely that there are several causes. The symptoms are due to the gut, or part of it, being over active - resulting in symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhoea , or under active - causing symptoms like bloating, wind and constipation . It’s probable that IBS, like many common health problems in the 21st century, is linked to stress, digestive problems caused by food allergy or food intolerance, eating too many fatty, sugary, refined foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Other factors that might be involved include:

Food allergy or food intolerance which are increasingly common with modern diets;
Genetics - the condition tends to run in families;
Female hormones - many women with IBS find their symptoms worsen when their hormone levels drop just before a period;
Gut infections - about one sixth of people with IBS develop the condition after suffering from bacterial or viral gastroenteritis;
Bacterial imbalance - too many ‘bad’ bacteria in the gut following an infection or a course of antibiotics can result in IBS. Probiotic supplements can help;
Other medications - such as ibuprofen and beta-blockers, can also trigger symptoms.

Is there a cure for IBS?

There is no cure for IBS, but it is possible to prevent attacks by identifying your triggers and adapting your diet and lifestyle accordingly. A good way of finding out what your triggers are is to keep a diary in which you note down your symptoms and details that might be relevant, such as foods eaten, stress levels, stage in menstrual cycle, medications taken, etc. After a few weeks you should be able to pinpoint your particular triggers and then aim to avoid them as much as possible.

Should I change my diet?

Many IBS sufferers notice a link between certain foods and their symptoms. Food triggers can include wheat, dairy foods, citrus fruits, sugary, fatty, or spicy foods, cabbage, onions and broccoli and food additives. However, if you suspect a whole food group (e.g. dairy foods, wheat) is causing your symptoms, seek advice from your GP or a dietician, who may suggest following an exclusion diet. This is best done under medical supervision, to ensure you still follow a balanced diet. However, many doctors do not appreciate food intolerances and this is one area you may need to take the initiative and do thes tesing yourself. York Test is the leader in home tests for food intolerance.

Adjusting the type and amount of fibre you eat according to your symptoms is probably the most effective dietary change you can make to ease IBS. There are two types of fibre - soluble - found in oats, barley, rye, vegetables pulses and the fleshy part of fruits and insoluble - found in wholegrain cereals, wholemeal bread, brown rice and pastas and the skins of fruit and vegetables

If you have IBS-A or IBS-D, try eating less insoluble fibre and more soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is less likely to irritate the gut lining. It’s also less likely to cause wind and bloating, because it’s broken down quickly.

If you have IBS-C, try eating more fibre. Do it gradually - a sudden, dramatic increase could lead to wind, bloating and diarrhoea. If you find that eating more fibre gives you problems with wind and bloating, try eating fewer insoluble fibre foods and more soluble fibre foods and see if there is an improvement.

What else might help?

Kitchen cupboard remedies like anise seed, cardamom pods and black pepper can help digestion and relieve wind and bloating. Supplements that may be beneficial include calcium to calm diarrhoea, magnesium to relieve constipation and probiotics to boost your ‘good’ bacteria levels.

Useful over-the-counter medications include: Colpermin and Mintec contain peppermint oil to dispel trapped wind. Antispasmodics relieve tummy cramps, such as Buscopan , which contains hyoscine; Fybogel Mebeverine and Colofac IBS which contain mebeverine; and Spasmonal containing Alverine. Diarrhoea can be eased by Loperamide which slows down gut contractions, which is available as Imodium and Diocalm Ultra .

Relieve stress and prevent attacks by using positive thinking , yoga and meditation; studies suggest a link between emotional stress and IBS. Self-hypnosis techniques have also been shown to calm the gut and ease symptoms.

About the Author


	Wendy Green is the author of 50 Things You Can Do To Manage IBS. This easy-to-follow guide explains how various factors may be involved in IBS and offers practical advice and a holistic approach to help you deal with the symptoms, including simple dietary and lifestyle changes and DIY complementary therapies. Find out 50 things you can do to help you cope with IBS including: Identify your IBS triggers and learn how to manage them. Choose beneficial foods and supplements. Manage stress and relax to reduce flare-ups. Discover practical tips for living with IBS. Wendy Green has written nine books on health and currently works in health promotion. Wendy has a degree in Health Studies and is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that a healthy lifestyle should be fun, and that it is the small changes you make every day that really improve your health. Her books show you what these changes should be and how they can improve your health.