Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS)
What Is It?
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) commonly known as IBS, is a physical condition that can be triggered by many factors including emotional wellbeing. Often people, who struggle with a mental illness, also find themselves suffering from elements of IBS. People talk about having a ‘gut feeling’ about things. Perhaps our inner digestive system is a lot more in tune with our emotions than we know - The body is so well interconnected that when the mind and soul are unwell, the gut can quickly become unwell too.
IBS is one of the most common digestive conditions. It's thought that 10%-20% of people experience IBS at some point. It's twice as common in women as in men. IBS is a disruption in the digestive system which can result in uncomfortable effects such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, cramping and wind. Although unpleasant, IBS is not a dangerous condition and poses no real threat to a person’s general health. Contrary to common belief, it does not increase the chances of developing cancer or other bowel conditions. IBS is also often unpredictable. Some people may go for many months without any symptoms, and then have a sudden flare-up.
IBS is one of the most common digestive conditions. It's thought that 10%-20% of people experience IBS at some point. It's twice as common in women as in men. IBS is a disruption in the digestive system which can result in uncomfortable effects such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, cramping and wind. Although unpleasant, IBS is not a dangerous condition and poses no real threat to a person’s general health. Contrary to common belief, it does not increase the chances of developing cancer or other bowel conditions. IBS is also often unpredictable. Some people may go for many months without any symptoms, and then have a sudden flare-up.
Personal Stories
Whilst struggling with anxiety and depression, I found that frustratingly IBS also soon became a problem. It seemed like my tummy was unhappy because I was unhappy. With metal illness, it can feel like everything is slowly breaking down. It’s like a car. One part breaks and then everything else just slowly seems to go wrong too. That’s what it felt like for me. My mind wasn’t well and so now my body was breaking down too. Struggling with mental illness was my main problem, but then shooting off from that were physical problems like IBS, insomnia and chronic fatigue. It felt like a snowball rolling down a hill and gaining momentum… I was falling further and further, with problems just getting bigger and bigger. When my mental health finally began to improve after a long period of CBT counseling, medication and invaluable support from loved ones, I found that bit by bit my body was recovering also. IBS symptoms started to fade, sleep started to return (thank God) and for me – there was a definite link between mental/emotion health and physical well being.
Famous Stories
Don’t be ashamed! IBS can be a embarrassing problem, no one wants to talk bout toilet problems over a cup of tea, but it is important not to be ashamed to ask for help. Seek help form s GP, counselor, dietician - don’t suffer alone.
The below article is from http://healthwellness1.com/ibs/irritable-bowel-syndrome-cybill-shepherd.html The famous actress Cybill Shepherd who starred along Bruce Willis and won three Golden Globes opens up about her struggles with IBSand raises awareness of how common the condition actually is and why it is important to get help.
“Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The star of Moonlighting and Taxi Driver says that she has struggled with her symptoms for many years, and is now hoping to raise awareness of IBS and encourage sufferers to talk more openly with their doctors.
She says: “For years I have been battling recurring constipation, abdominal pain and bloating. Go ahead and laugh. We laugh because we're embarrassed. In order for us to get relief, we have to talk about our symptoms and stop suffering in silence. “I have tried nearly everything: changing my diet and watching what I ate. I exercised regularly. I even tried taking fiber supplements and over-the-counter laxatives, but nothing helped with all of my symptoms.
“My doctor used to tell me it was all emotional and psychological. So I got a new doctor. And a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It was a huge relief to find out that my IBS with constipation was not all in my head and that it was a treatable medical condition. My doctor prescribed Zelnorm and it has provided me with relief for all my symptoms. In a lot of ways, I feel like my old self again.”
The below article is from http://healthwellness1.com/ibs/irritable-bowel-syndrome-cybill-shepherd.html The famous actress Cybill Shepherd who starred along Bruce Willis and won three Golden Globes opens up about her struggles with IBSand raises awareness of how common the condition actually is and why it is important to get help.
“Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The star of Moonlighting and Taxi Driver says that she has struggled with her symptoms for many years, and is now hoping to raise awareness of IBS and encourage sufferers to talk more openly with their doctors.
She says: “For years I have been battling recurring constipation, abdominal pain and bloating. Go ahead and laugh. We laugh because we're embarrassed. In order for us to get relief, we have to talk about our symptoms and stop suffering in silence. “I have tried nearly everything: changing my diet and watching what I ate. I exercised regularly. I even tried taking fiber supplements and over-the-counter laxatives, but nothing helped with all of my symptoms.
“My doctor used to tell me it was all emotional and psychological. So I got a new doctor. And a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It was a huge relief to find out that my IBS with constipation was not all in my head and that it was a treatable medical condition. My doctor prescribed Zelnorm and it has provided me with relief for all my symptoms. In a lot of ways, I feel like my old self again.”
IBS can be trigged by many factors including:
Stress: research has shown that psychological factors play a significant factor in IBS intense emotional states, such as stress and anxiety, can trigger chemical changes that interfere with the normal workings of the digestive system.
Certain Foods: certain foods can irritate the stomach and trigger IBS symptoms. Common foods that may trigger IBS include caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks, chocolate, processed snacks, such as crisps and biscuits and fatty, fried food, Everyone is different so it may helpful to keep a food diary so that particular foods that trigger their IBS can be identified and avoided.
Gut trouble: - gut sensitivity and changes in the digestive system can result in IBS
Certain Foods: certain foods can irritate the stomach and trigger IBS symptoms. Common foods that may trigger IBS include caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks, chocolate, processed snacks, such as crisps and biscuits and fatty, fried food, Everyone is different so it may helpful to keep a food diary so that particular foods that trigger their IBS can be identified and avoided.
Gut trouble: - gut sensitivity and changes in the digestive system can result in IBS
Common symptoms of IBS can include:
Bloating and swelling
Constipation
diarrhea
Excessive wind
Abdominal pain and cramps
A change in your bowel habits
An urgent need to go to the toilet
Feeling like you need to go to the toilet again even after you have just been
Constipation
diarrhea
Excessive wind
Abdominal pain and cramps
A change in your bowel habits
An urgent need to go to the toilet
Feeling like you need to go to the toilet again even after you have just been
Treatment
IBS can be painful, uncomfortable and disruptive, reducing your quality and normality of life. However, with treatment IBS can be successfully managed, enabling the sufferer to live a full and active life.
Diet
Fibre plays important role in reducing IBS symptoms. However the type of fibre is vital depending on which symptoms the suffer has.
There are two main types of fibre:
On the other hand, people suffering with diarrhea symptoms will benefit from cutting down on the insoluble fibre. It might also help to avoid the skin, pith and pips from fruit and vegetables, too.
These tips may also be useful:
Drink plenty of water; this will particularly help with constipation symptoms
Eat regularly this will help the digestive pattern get used to a health pattern
Chew food properly and take plenty of time to eat – this will help the body to digest food more easily
Keep a food diary, monitoring foods that trigger IBS symptoms and cut this from your diet (seek GP or dietician for support – so as not to lose vital vitamins and minerals from your overall diet)
There are two main types of fibre:
- soluble fibre, which the body can digest
- insoluble fibre, which the body cannot digest
On the other hand, people suffering with diarrhea symptoms will benefit from cutting down on the insoluble fibre. It might also help to avoid the skin, pith and pips from fruit and vegetables, too.
These tips may also be useful:
Drink plenty of water; this will particularly help with constipation symptoms
Eat regularly this will help the digestive pattern get used to a health pattern
Chew food properly and take plenty of time to eat – this will help the body to digest food more easily
Keep a food diary, monitoring foods that trigger IBS symptoms and cut this from your diet (seek GP or dietician for support – so as not to lose vital vitamins and minerals from your overall diet)
Exercise
Exercise can be beneficial for relieving IBS symptoms and for prompting wellbeing. If you struggle to be active, and find exercise a bore (as many do – including myself) then check out my page on Fun Exercise and get moving!
Probiotics
Probiotics taken regularly can help to relieve the symptoms of IBS. Probiotics "friendly bacteria" which are great for the gut and are available at most supermarkets.
Medication
There are different medications available which can be used to relieve the symptoms of IBS.
Laxatives, can relieve constipation symptoms
antimotility medicines, can treat the symptoms of diarrhea
Antispasmodic medicines can reduce abdominal pain and cramping. These work by relaxing the digestive muscles
Antidepressants, can help improve mental well being and reduce IBS symptoms
Laxatives, can relieve constipation symptoms
antimotility medicines, can treat the symptoms of diarrhea
Antispasmodic medicines can reduce abdominal pain and cramping. These work by relaxing the digestive muscles
Antidepressants, can help improve mental well being and reduce IBS symptoms
Emotional Wellbeing
Reducing stress and looking after your mental well being can do wonders for relieving IBS. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, tai chi, massage, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy and acupuncture can all help to ease the mind, which will then ease the body. (see my page on Alternative Treatments for more information)
Counseling/ Support Groups
Counseling may help to reduce stress levels and to gain a better mental state of mind. Many different types of counseling are now available to suit a variety of needs, see your GP for a referral or alternatively private counselors are also available. Support groups can also be an invaluable help – remember – a healthy mind is a health body!
More Information
http://www.theibsnetwork.org/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Irritable-bowel-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/ibs1.shtml
http://www.corecharity.org.uk/
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.htm
http://www.sannahealth.com/digestive_health.html