What Is
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME?
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common bowel disorder, although not life-threatening, it is a chronic disorder. Unpredictable bowel movements and abdominal discomfort that is associated with a range of symptoms can change the way people with IBS live their life.
If you have chronic and recurrent bowel problems and pain - you are not alone. Learn how to feel better and get help today!
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Common Signs of IBS:
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Changes in Bowel Movements (Diarrhea, Constipation or Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea)
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Stomach Pain and Cramping
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Gas
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Bloating
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Food Intolerances
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Fatigue
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Anxiety and Psychological Impacts
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There Are 4 Different Types of IBS:
IBS-D (Diarrhea)
IBS-C (Constipation)
IBS-M (Mixed Symptoms)
IBS-U (Unclassified)
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What to Do if You Think You Have IBS?​
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If you have symptoms of IBS that interfere with your daily life, visit your doctor. They may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in digestive disorders, who may recommend a series of tests and can help diagnose IBS or rule out other diseases that mimic it.
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Solutions for IBS relief rely mostly on the management of your symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as stress relief, exercise, and food changes help manage IBS symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups in the future. The key is to identify trigger foods and stress-related habits which vary from person to person. Keeping a diary of meals and ingredients can help identify triggers (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16980794/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27619957/).
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My Approach For Clients
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Everybody's IBS is different. For this reason, we address the basics of proper digestion first before anything too rigid (ex: low-FODMAP).
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What are my typical recommendations?
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I generally recommend that some foods be reduced. These are the foods that have a higher chance of causing gas/bloating, and gut irritation. They include a combination of your personal suspects along with some common culprits (ex: lactose). Next, we add in more of the foods that your body needs to start building the right foundation. We work on rebuilding a healthy microbiome and supporting a healthy gut barrier to potentially increase your tolerance of foods (which will be re-introduced). In addition, I discuss the importance of mindfulness during your meals to support proper gastric secretions and enzyme production in order to properly break down and digest your food.
The goal for my clients is to gain clarity on their triggers, help manage their symptoms, rebalance eating/lifestyle habits, and regain food flexibility.
IBS isn't a life sentence of eating painfully bland foods. The most difficult part is connecting the dots!
