Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Facts, Figures, Symptoms, and What to do About Them

Did you know April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month? Probably not unless you’re are researcher like myself or suffer from some of its symptoms. When we hear “IBS” we immediately think of the unpleasant and inconvenient side effects, but it doesn’t have to control your quality of life. Once you have identified IBS, understand your symptoms, and are aware of what’s causing those symptoms, you can be well on your way to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

What exactly is IBS?

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) says IBS is best understood as a long-term or chronic condition in which a person experiences reoccurring issues with abdominal pain or discomfort associated with their bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, or both). An estimated 10-15% of the world’s population are affected by IBS and 45 million of those are here in the United States. That’s 1 in 7 people! As common as that might seem, people often go undiagnosed for long periods of time, are stigmatized, and their symptoms can severely impact their quality of life. IBS symptoms can be triggered by common things such as foods, stress, hormonal changes, and certain medications. These changes can lead to flare-ups of other chronic diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.

What are some common symptoms of IBS?

Symptoms can vary and change with diet, stress, pharmaceuticals, and other life factors, but are typically:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Bloating or a sense of gaseousness

• The need to rush to have a bowel movement

• A thick, white, or yellowish mucus in the stool

• Feeling incomplete emptying after a bowel movement

• Change in bowel habits(diarrhea and/or constipation)

Other, less common symptoms that have been reported include, but are not limited to:

• Heartburn

• Early feeling of fullness

• Nausea

• Abdominal fullness

• Fatigue

• Muscle pain

• Sleep disturbances

• Sexual dysfunction

• Lower back pain

• Headache

There is increasing evidence that the GI symptoms experienced in IBS may be caused by one or more of the following:

• Abnormalities in gut motility

  • Motility refers to the stretching and contractions of the muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract

• Improper functioning of the immune system

• Abnormal amounts of bacteria and other organisms (viruses, fungi, etc.)

• The central nervous system’s interpretation of painful signals coming from the gut

Now what?

If you have chronic and recurrent abdominal pain and bowel problems, or if your days are dictated by intestinal discomfort, it’s time for you to seek help. Although there is currently no cure for IBS, there are ways to improve symptoms and feel better.

A trip to your healthcare provider or gastroenterologist is a good first step to ruling out any disease or illness.

With most of the population facing food and food-chemical sensitivities, they’re one of the most critical sources of inflammation and symptoms can vary across a wide range of chronic inflammatory conditions like IBS. These sensitivities can be one of the most clinically challenging and remain one of the most under-addressed areas of conventional medicine.

Any food can trigger an inflammatory response, even so-called anti-inflammatory or “healthy” foods like organic fruits and vegetables. The key is to know which specific foods and food chemicals are triggering reactions in your body and causing these symptoms.

Many of my clients have been facing these issues for years and find themselves without answers. But you’re not alone and I’m here to help uncover the “why” and formulate a roadmap for “how” to get some of the answers you deserve. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with me today to learn more about IBS or food sensitivity testing.