
Do you suffer from bloating and excessive wind? These are common symptoms of IBS. Dr Raj Arora reveals the way to spot the signs and symptoms, plus why women usually tend to suffer than men
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is common long-term functional disorder of the digestive system. In truth, a staggering one third of the UK population experience symptoms of IBS. The condition often spans through one’s lifetime however the symptoms can change over time.
During digestion, the bowel moves it’s contents along the digestive tract, it does through rhythmic muscle movements. In IBS, there are some changes in how the bowel reacts to it’s contents. There could also be muscle spasms as a substitute of rhythmic movements resulting in more discomfort because the body digests food.
a staggering one third of the UK population experience symptoms of IBS
It just isn’t clear exactly what causes IBS and there could also be numerous the reason why one may develop IBS. It is believed that IBS can develop after a severe bout of gastroenteritis in some people. For others certain foods, stress and potentially an overgrowth of gut bacteria could also be triggers for IBS.
What are the common symptoms of IBS?
Although IBS symptoms are generally mild for most individuals it will be important to know that the pain, discomfort and other associated symptoms may be debilitating for some people.
- Abdominal pain/discomfort/cramps
- Altered bowel habits – diarrhea, constipation or for some people alternating bouts of each
- Abdominal bloating/swelling
- Excessive wind (flatulence)
- Sudden urgency to open bowels (occasionally)
- Mucus within the stool
- Problems passing urine
- Lack of energy
- Nausea
Some of the common symptoms is crampy abdominal pain that fluctuates with bowel movements. Typically abdomindal discomfort eases after opening bowels. Abdominal bloating might also be worse after eating certain foods. Weight loss plan has a key role to play in most individuals with symptoms of IBS.
How is IBS treated?
IBS is a posh motility and sensory disorder, understanding this is vital to managing the symptoms. Treatments will depend upon symptom severity but generally the next management plans are followed
#1 Weight loss plan management
Your GP and dietician may help formulate a weight loss program plan to scale back IBS symptoms. This often includes removing foods which may be obviously triggering your symptoms – akin to spicy food. If eliminating triggers alone doesn’t calm down symptoms then input from a dietician may be helpful.
Often a low FODMAP weight loss program is advisable. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. These are short chain carbohydrates which might be absorbed poorly by the small intestine.
Normally bacteria in your gut can break down these sugars and use them as an energy source. In those with digestive problems this will result in digestive stress and symptoms of IBS.
short chain carbohydrates which might be absorbed poorly by the small intestine
Low Fodmap foods include items akin to: eggs and meat, almond milk, grains – oats, rice and quinoa, certain vegetables akin to (eggplants, potato, cucumbers) and certain fruits (grapes, oranges and strawberries).
There’s an intensive list and your dietician can run through this with you. Essentially a low FODMAP weight loss program will restrict certain food groups. It’s subsequently designed to be utilized in the short term (To discover triggers) and must be carried out under the guidance of a dietician.
#2 Eliminating Triggers
Foods akin to spicy food or high FODMAP food may trigger off symptoms. Other triggers can include stress, lack of exercise and lack of sleep so it will be important to try to reduce these as much as possible.
#3 Medication
GP can prescribe medications to assist ease symptoms, akin to drugs to scale back spasm which have been used safely for a few years and other medications including pain relief medications and laxatives.
Recent drugs to tackle IBS are being developed
Recent drugs to tackle IBS are being developed and more research is being carried out on this area so hopefully in the longer term we could have more targeted medications to supply.
#4 Other therapies
For some people hypnotherapy (gut directed) may be helpful. Your GP can even advise on therapies akin to CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and counselling for individuals who have an effect on their mood and each day activities. Meditation and mindfulness have also been suggested to assist symptoms.
Navigating IBS as a girl
While anyone can develop IBS – it’s regarded as more common in women (assigned female at birth) than men.
A study by BUPA found that girls account for around 20 per cent of the population suffering with IBS in comparison with 10 per cent which have it overall.
IBS can sometimes cause different symptoms in women in comparison with men. Particularly, IBS symptoms can worsen for girls during their menstrual cycle.
women account for around 20 per cent of the population suffering with IBS
IBS with constipation can be more prevalent amongst women than men. Studies have also shown that girls with IBS have the next prevalence of other gynaecological disorders, akin to painful periods and PMS (pre menstrual syndrome).
What can women suffering with IBS symptoms do?
Along with the management suggested above, it will be important for girls to acknowledge when their symptoms are flaring up as regards to their menstrual cycle as additional support could also be essential.
Women can reach out to their GP for help with pre-menstrual symptoms, painful periods and in the event that they have worsening of their IBS symptoms (akin to constipation).
For some women, pregnancy can even lead to a flare up of their IBS symptoms. This may occasionally be as a result of the incontrovertible fact that progesterone (pregnancy hormone) rises in pregnancy and may cause the gut muscle to chill out leading to slow motility (and digestion).
pregnancy can even lead to a flare up of their IBS symptoms
For those suffering with IBS this may occasionally exacerbate symptoms of bloating, craming and constipation.
This may be managed by some conservative changes akin to:
- Increasing dietary fibre – fruits, vegetables and grains
- Reduction of FODMAPS (gas- producing foods) akin to beans, cabbage, legumes, broccoli and lentils to scale back abdominal discomfort
- Leisure therapies – mindfulness/meditation amongst others
Step one to managing any chronic condition is education and the ability to make informed decisions to administer your condition. This must be done in partnership along with your GP and health care professionals to assist manage your IBS symptoms.
Dr Raj Arora is a GP, the founding father of @thefacebible and one in all the UK’s leading medical educators. Her passion lies in mental health awareness, women’s health and skincare.
As a female GP, Dr Raj Arora has all the time been enthusiastic about educating other women with regarding to women’s health and using her Instagram platform @dr_rajarora to coach, inform, empower and encourage her followers.