Understanding IBD and IBS are different is vital

WHAT’S the difference between IBS and IBD? It can be confusing. IBS is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and IBD is for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The key difference between the two is that one is a disease and the other is not.

IBD is a disease, common bowel diseases include Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, or Diverticulitis. If you’re dealing with this type of condition and you’re looking for natural solutions it would be best to talk to a fully qualified nutritional therapist. They will discuss your diet and lifestyle with you and prepare a program of foods and supplements if needed to help you deal with the condition. They’re happy to work with you and your doctor to formulate a plan that will help improve your quality of life.

Irritable bowel syndrome is more vague, a diagnosis can leave you feeling a bit deflated as you can feel fobbed off by your health care professional. But remember, it’s better than being told you have an inflammatory disease of the bowel.

IBS is a set of symptoms that can vary greatly from person to person. You may have one symptom such as bloating. Or you may have several symptoms which can include bloating, cramps, pain, nausea, indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, belching, or gurgling. The symptoms can come and go or you can have weeks of pain and discomfort.

Commonly, irritable bowel is associated with eating food that doesn’t agree with you, a food intolerance as opposed to a food allergy. You can develop food intolerance at any point, usually this happens because you have over eaten a particular food, and you’re deficient in the enzymes that are required to break down the food in your digestive system. It could be that you’re lacking good gut bacteria, and it can also be associated with stress and anxiety.

You need to find out what food is causing the problem. And at the same time, if needed take supplements to support gut health and digestion. Next week I will tell you about Mary, she has IBS and has found a natural solution that works for her. She wants me to share her story with you.

Clair Whitty is a Bach Flower Practitioner, a Nutritional Health Coach accredited with Thought Leader Natural Health 2018 and a Vega Food Intolerance Tester at The Natural Health Store, 24 North Main Street, Wexford 053 9121613 | clairm1@eircom.net | www.naturalhealthstore.ie