Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that causes a variety of symptoms and can be frustrating and disruptive to daily life, but luckily, there are many ways to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person, but some of the most common include:
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Abdominal spasms
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Urgency to open bowels
- Pain in the rectum
- Nausea
What causes IBS?
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is something that remains a great source of discussion. Some theories are that it can be related to things like food passing through the gut too quickly or too slowly, sensitivity to certain foodstuffs, enviromental and even a family history of the disorder. However, without any doubt, anxiety and stress often increase bowel activity and can play a huge part in exaggerating or even causing IBS.
Overcoming IBS
There are several self-help methods that have proven to be extremely effective in decreasing and even ending the symptoms of IBS. These include:
- Healthy dietary changes
- Avoidance of trigger foods
- Probiotics
- Regular exercise
- Stress reduction techniques
- Anxiety management
We all have food intolerances and the best way to discover which food irritate us is to complete a daily food diary. Note down any IBS symptoms as well as drops in energy and mood. After a while you will start noticing patterns of commonality which then allows you to eliminate foods that are bad for you. FREE Printable Daily Mood/Food Diary
Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be extremely challenging, however, you are not alone. If you would like to chat with one of our mentors on how you can reduce anxiety and stress as well as make healthy life changes Read more…
Frequently Asked Questions
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