What is IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome? – Enterosgel | Official Website

What is IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

IBS is a common condition that affects the digestive system and causes a number of painful and unpleasant symptoms. The underlying cause of IBS is still unclear, but recently it has been considered a brain-gut disorder since psychological factors are often linked to IBS symptoms – stress is a common trigger for IBS flare-ups. People with IBS often have a higher sensitivity or irritability of their gut.

There are several subtypes of IBS, defined by distinctive symptoms:

IBS-D is defined as IBS with Diarrhoea, where diarrhoea is the main symptom; it is usually accompanied by abdominal pain and urgency to pass stools;
IBS-C is defined as IBS with Constipation, where constipation is often accompanied by straining, bloating and the feeling of not being able to completely empty the bowel;
IBS-M is defined as Mixed IBS and describes the condition where people can experience alternating diarrhoea and constipation;
IBS Unclassified is a term for the condition without a distinctive bowel movements pattern;
IBS-with diarrhoea is the most common subtype and is associated with more abdominal pain attacks, diarrhoea and urgency.

Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is caused by problems arising between the gut and the brain, issues have been found with the nervous system supplying the gut which can make it more sensitive. Stress, certain foods and micro-organisms that inhabit the gut, can trigger IBS symptoms. Sometimes IBS can start after a gut infection or use of certain medicines such as antibiotics, but usually, it is not clear how it starts.

Is IBS genetic?

There is no proven distinctive pathology; however, IBS does tend to run in the family.

Who is affected?

According to the Rome IV criteria which is the latest diagnostic measure for IBS in the UK, it affects an estimated 5% of the population, with women much more likely to be affected than men. IBS is usually a life-long condition, people can experience their first symptoms in their teenage years or early twenties, but the highest prevalence is from 35 to 49 years. IBS symptoms can also vary throughout a person’s life and come and go depending on various lifestyle factors and stress levels.

What is the treatment for IBS?

There is no single treatment for the condition, as it is a variable condition that is different from person to person. However, there are ways to control symptoms, such as diarrhoea and bloating, with symptomatic treatments and changes in diet and lifestyle. A combination of these measures is often referred to as ‘managing IBS’.

Managing IBS

IBS is managed through a combination of an individual-specific diet, mental wellbeing, physical activity, symptomatic treatment and various supplements. As this is a very complex condition, any IBS treatment or diet plan, such as an elimination diet, should be supervised by a medical professional.

IBS diet

Whilst there isn’t a fit-for-all diet plan, as the condition tends to vary between people, there is general advice to avoid foods that can trigger your symptoms. Using a food diary can be helpful in identifying these foods. It is also good to eat regularly and avoid fatty, spicy or processed foods, and fizzy drinks and alcohol which can be harmful to a sensitive gut.

IBS trigger foods to avoid

Spicy, fatty or processed foods,
Coffee and caffeine-containing soft drinks
Alcohol and fizzy drinks
Legumes, such as peas and beans, including soya beans and related products
Limit fruit to 3 portions per day
High fructose fruit juice
Avoid high-fibre foods like wholegrain foods, nuts and seeds, and the artificial sweetener sorbitol.

What foods are good for IBS?

Bananas (with no spots)
Oats
Lemons
Broccoli
Diary and gluten-free foods
Lean protein, such as chicken and turkey (without skin)
For IBS-D

Symptomatic treatment for IBS

While there is no cure for the condition at the present time, treating IBS symptoms can improve people’s overall quality of life and help them lead a more normal work and social life. Depending on their main symptoms, people may be advised to take the following treatments (some of them available as prescription only):

Antidiarrheal treatment:

Loperamide / Immodium
Prevalite, Colestid, Lomotil, Welchol
Drug-free solution Enterosgel (this can also help relieve pain, bloating and urgency)
Fibre supplements to harden stool

Constipation treatment:

Laxatives: Miralax, Magnesium hydroxide oral/Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia
Fibre supplements: Psyllium husk, Metamucil, Fybogel, Citrucel
Linaclotide

Pain treatment for IBS:

Peppermint oil
Mebeverine
Buscopan
Bentyl and other anticholinergics
For IBS-D; Enterosgel (this can also help relieve pain, diarrhoea, bloating and urgency)

While IBS patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, usually soon after eating, there are other reported symptoms including back pain. Please follow the link for advice on how to address them: Back pain with IBS

Mental wellbeing and IBS

Stressful situations, anxiety or depression can cause the re-occurrence of unpleasant IBS symptoms, making it important for anyone with IBS to look after their mental wellbeing.

Activities that may have a positive effect on stress levels include:

Meditation
Yoga and exercise
Mindfulness
Relaxation techniques, such as calming breathing
Low-intensity physical activity, e.g. walking

Supplementary treatment for IBS

What works for one person with IBS may not work for another, with doctors often recommending a combination of pharmacological and supplementary treatments.

The following treatments are reported to have helped a number of people suffering from IBS:

Acupuncture
Probiotics
Prebiotics
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Herbal remedies such as camomile, fennel and anise tea
Hypnotherapy

Exercise and IBS

Being physically active helps motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, boost mood and energy levels and improve overall health. It is all the more important for IBS sufferers who have desk jobs. Yoga and other mindful physical activity, such as Tai Chi, can also help in stress management, improving sleep and lowering anxiety.

Do I have IBS?

If you suspect that you have a condition and are looking to get a diagnosis from your GP, please use this symptom diary to prepare for the appointment and give your doctor a record of the symptoms you experience.

Discover Enterosgel - the Drug-Free Remedy for IBS

A scientifically-developed solution for:

IBS-D Diarrhoea
Bloating
Abdominal Pain

Enterosgel is a drug-free remedy for IBS-D, and diarrhoea with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Taken with water 2 hours before or after food, this taste-free gel acts like a clever sponge to actively soak-up harmful substances in your gut, such as bacterial toxins and viruses before expelling them from your body naturally.

Enterosgel is safe for children from 1 year (1-3 yr on doctor’s advice) and adults, and is available over the counter in 90g tubes for children and 225g tubes for adults or in handy 15g travel sachets.

What People Say

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