What you eat can exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, affects one out of every 10 Americans.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
It significantly affects the quality of life for many people.
Symptoms are unpredictable and can occur without warning. They can occur every day, or just a couple of times a week.
To make matters worse, IBS is very difficult to diagnose.
Patients often go through a series of doctors and multiple medications in their quest to find relief.
There is no definitive test for IBS. It is often diagnosed after other disorders have been ruled out, kind of a “last resort diagnosis.”
Likewise, experts have disagreed on the best treatment, causing many people to turn to unproven therapies such as hypnosis and herbal concoctions.
Food has been found to be a common trigger for IBS symptoms. People vary in their reaction to various foods, so treatment can be a bit tricky as they go through trial and error as they try to determine exactly what they are sensitive to.
However, there are some common culprits that tend to lead to distress. Elimination of these is always a good starting point in pinpointing the problem.
Lactose, the natural sugar in milk and dairy products causes symptoms in many people. If you’re sensitive to lactose, try lactose-free milk, or milk alternatives such as soy or almond milk.
Fructose, found in fruits, juices and honey is a common irritant.
Insoluble fiber such as that found in wheat and bran cause discomfort in many people. On the other hand, soluble fiber found in oats, barley and apples can actually help to relieve symptoms.
Caffeine sets off symptoms in some people, as it speeds up the movement of food through the intestinal tract. Some caffeine may be tolerated, but you’ll have to figure out how much you can handle.
Fatty, greasy and fried foods aren’t usually tolerated, as these stimulate muscle movement in the intestines, and may cause discomfort.
Certain carbohydrates are common triggers for IBS. These are referred to as FODMAPS (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols.)
Foods in this group include milk, some fruits, some vegetables, wheat, legumes and some sweeteners.