IBS is a medical condition which affects the digestive system and causes a number of painful and unpleasant symptoms. More 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. The name of the condition comes from the higher sensitivity/irritability of the gut in IBS patients.
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME - IBS
WHAT IS IBS?
IBS SYMPTOMS IN MEN AND WOMEN
Most common symptoms include:
Other possible symptoms include:
Types of IBS
There are several subtypes of IBS, defined by a distinctive symptom:
- IBS-D is defined as IBS with Diarrhoea, where it is a predominant symptom; it is usually accompanied by abdominal pain and cramping and urgency to pass stool.
- IBS-C is defined as IBS with Constipation. Constipation is often accompanied by straining, bloating and the feeling of not being able to empty your bowel completely.
- IBS-M is defined as Mixed IBS and describes the condition where Diarrhoea and Constipation can alternate. It is also sometimes referred to as IBS-A with A for alternating.
- IBS Unclassified is a term for the condition without a distinctive bowel movements pattern.
- IBS-M is considered to be most common subtype.
Who is affected?
IBS affects 10-20% of the UK population with women are more likely to be affected than men (with a ratio approx. 3:2). It is usually a life-long condition with most sufferers experiencing their first symptoms in their teenage years or early twenties. IBS symptoms may not be constantly present throughout the person’s life and come and go depending on various factors such as environment, lifestyle and stress levels.
Cause of illness
An exact cause of the illness is still unknown. The main symptoms are usually related to the food being processed by the gut too fast or too slow and a general over-sensitivity of the digestive system.
Is IBS genetic?
There is no proven distinctive pathology; however, IBS does tend to run in the family.
What is the treatment for IBS?
There is no single treatment for the condition, as it varies from person to person. However, there are ways to control symptoms, such as diarrhoea and bloating, with symptomatic treatments supplementary treatment 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 from person to person, there is general advice to avoid foods which take longer to digest, contain high quantity of fructose or gluten and can be harmful to a sensitive gut, such as alcohol.
IBS trigger foods to avoid:
- White bread and baked goods
- Coffee and caffeine containing soft drinks
- Alcohol
- Legumes, such as peas and beans, including soya beans and related products
- Garlic
- High fructose fruit juice
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)
- Eggs
Mental wellbeing and IBS
It’s not only the wrong type of food that can trigger an IBS flare up. Stressful situations, anxiety or depression can cause the re-occurrence of unpleasant symptoms, making it more important for anyone with IBS to look after their mental wellbeing. Activities which 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
For more advice on how exercise may help IBS please visit this page (Does exercise help IBS? article)
Symptomatic treatment for IBS
While there is no cure for the condition in general, treating individual symptoms of IBS can greatly improve the patient’s quality of life and take away unnecessary stress and anxiety, for example, fear of travelling for IBS-D sufferers. Depending on the main symptom, the patient may be advised to take:
Antidiarrheal treatment:
- Over the counter medication Loperamide/Immodium
- Prescription medications: Prevalite, Colestid, Lomotil, Welchol
- Drug-free solution Enterosgel
- Fibre supplements to harden stool
Constipation treatment:
- Laxatives: Miralax, Magnesium hydroxide oral/Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia
- Fibre supplements: Psyllium husk, Metamucil, Fybogel, Citrucel
- Prescription medication: Linaclotide
Pain treatment for IBS:
- Peppermint oil
- Mebeverine
- Buscopan (scopolamine butylbromide)
- Bentyl (Dicyclomine) and other anticholinergics
While IBS patients generally suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, usually soon after eating, there are also reported cases of back pain in IBS sufferers. Please follow the link for advice on how to address them: Back pain with IBS
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 treatment. 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. For more information on the subject, please see Does exercise help IBS? article.
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: symptom diary.
