Notice any change in your bowel habits? It could be IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms can be hard to stomach, but there’s plenty you can do to ease the pain. Liz Connor reports
Sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will tell you the symptoms can be painful and often embarrassing to live with. The telltale bloating, cramps and frequent toilet trips can rear at any time, wreaking havoc on the digestive system.
Thousands of people in the UK have been diagnosed with this common digestive order, and researchers believe that as many as two in 10 people are currently living with IBS.
Dr Ann Robinson, lead GP at Bupa Health Clinics, reveals more about the causes, warning signs and treatments ...
What exactly is IBS and who gets it?
IBS affects 10-15% of the worldwide population, but because it’s not the type of topic many people feel comfortable discussing, lots of us are still confused about what it is and why we get it. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a longterm condition that affects your digestive system,” explains Robinson. “It causes pain or discomfort in your tummy, and varying changes in your bowel habits.”
Robinson says it can develop at any age, but the first symptoms usually start appearing between the ages of 20 and 30.
What are the symptoms?
There are a number of tell-tale unpleasant signs of IBS that should prompt you to visit your GP. “Some of the most common symptoms include bloating, wind or discomfort in your abdomen, which can often be felt on the left-hand side,” says Robinson. “This discomfort can vary from a sudden sharp pain to a constant dull ache, and the pain may ease after going to the toilet. For some, it may also get worse after eating.”
Erratic changes to your bowel movement is also another clue that something isn’t right. “Your stool may vary in consistency and can alternate between constipation and diarrhoea,” says Robinson.
Many sufferers describe accelerated bowel transit as a significant source of stress, with the fear of a sudden onset of diarrhoea.
“IBS symptoms can come and go; you may not have any symptoms for months and then get a flare-up,” says Robinson.
She says you should note down what foods you have eaten, how you are feeling at the time of a flare-up, and the symptoms you are experiencing. Together with your GP, you can then use the findings to determine the foods and emotions that might trigger the symptoms.
What actually causes IBS?
“It’s still unclear why some people develop IBS, but it’s thought it may be caused by a variety of factors,” says Robinson. In some cases, it could all be down to a miscommunication between the brain and the intestinal tract. “This can cause you to have abnormal muscle contraction or spasms, which often causes the cramping pain,” she explains. “The spasms may speed the passage of stools, causing diarrhoea, or they may slow it down, causing constipation.”
IBS can also be caused by an intolerance to certain foods, particularly those high in FODMAPS — “tiny carbohydrates that are found in certain foods like wheat and beans, that the body finds difficult to break down”. Irritation to the bowel or digestive system, for example after gastroenteritis or food poisoning, could also trigger the symptoms, while some researchers believe IBS may be genetic.
“You may find your symptoms get worse after being stressed, after eating certain foods or if you’re taking certain antibiotics,” she says.
How is it diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing anything unusual with your stomach or bowel movements, visit your doctor. “IBS is usually diagnosed by taking a detailed history of your symptoms,” says Robinson. “It can’t be confirmed with a test, however, your GP may suggest you have some blood tests, provide stool samples and possibly a colonoscopy to rule out any other serious conditions.”
What treatments are available?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for IBS, however, changes to your diet and lifestyle may help. “Everyone is different and certain foods that will affect one person may not affect another,” says Robinson.
“However, generally, I’d recommend you try eating regular meals cooked or prepared from fresh produce, and don’t rush when you’re eating; stay hydrated and aim to have at least eight cups of fluid a day.”
Avoiding fatty, processed or reheated foods might help to regulate your bowel movements.
“If stress triggers your IBS, consider some relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga,” says Robinson. “Exercise can also help reduce your flare-ups too.”
If diet and lifestyle changes don’t help manage your IBS, there are medications that can help.