A Guide to IBS

Facts and Symptoms:

Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating, erratic bowel movements and discomfort. IBS can be C or D types or both D and C. C stands for constipation D for Diarrhoea. These symptoms can also extend to other area of the body such as muscle pains, anxiety and low moods. It can also lead to sleep disturbance, fatigue decreased physical activity and social isolation.

The number suffering is quite high 5 to 10 percent of the general population making IBS the most common gastrointestinal problem in the world.

Studies are showing that 50% have had the symptoms for over 10 years and 57% have daily symptoms and this makes me really sad.

If you have IBS you have probably gone to your GP and advised to take Buscopan and leave with it. However I am here to tell you that there is a lot you can do to manage your symptoms and not suffer so much.

Common causes:

A big one can be Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and Other Food Intolerances.

Many of the symptoms of NCGS such as, bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in stool patterns—are indistinguishable from IBS. For some individuals brain fog and fatigue following gluten consumption are also very common.  Gluten is most commonly in wheat, Rye , Barley, and most processed food that you can find in the supermarket. I would suggest that you do try and avoid Gluten free product form Supermarkets as much as possible as they contain additives that can also be irritant for an already sensitive gut.

In IBS patients, I also see a number of other food intolerances, such as: Fructose and Lactose.

In Lactose intolerance this means that your body is not able to digest lactose, a sugar found naturally in milk. It is a common cause of IBS symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation. The bacteria in your gut feast on the undigested lactose which leads to painful, uncomfortable digestion. You may be genetically pre-disposed or may have other intestinal issues such as leaky gut, infections or coeliac disease. In Europe we have a long history of consuming milk so about 2 to 22 percent have been shown to be intolerant but as many as 60 to 100 percent of individuals with Asian or African ancestry cannot digest lactose .

Fructose Malabsorption: Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits and some vegetables. Like lactose, it is digested in the small intestinal lining. Any fructose that is not digested and unable to be absorbed may cause symptoms such as bloating, change in bowel habits, fatigue, headaches and brain fog.

What to do:  In those people, restricting intake of the sugars that they have difficulty absorbing frequently decreases the symptoms of IBS. Fructose and lactose are among the list of foods that contain fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs). Other foods high in FODMAPs include wheat, pulses, and foods high in sorbitol. Consumption of a low-FODMAP diet has been found to improve IBS symptoms in a high proportion of cases. The latter is best done under the guidance of a qualified nutritional therapist as it involves re-introductions to ascertain the groups that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Another common cause could also be Dysbiosis which describes a state of imbalance between your good and pathogenic bacteria in your most commonly large intestine. This imbalance can be associated with digestive problems such as an overgrowth of bacteria, yeasts or parasites. As well as digestive symptoms such as pain, bloating and flatulence, it can also lead to non-digestive symptoms such as anxiety, depression, weight gain and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common cause of dysbiosis is antibiotic usage. The more courses you have taken over your life, the higher your risk of developing dysbiosis.

Studies are showing that Up to 73 percent of IBS patients have intestinal dysbiosis. Those with IBS tend to have decreased levels of “good” bacteria, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, and increased levels of more harmful strains.

What can I do?

A stool test can identify your bacterial balance plus further intestinal markers can guide your nutritional therapist to the root cause of your IBS.

The roots causes are highly individual. Generally, the aim is to rebalance your gut bacteria and sometimes eliminate pathogenic bacteria, yeasts or parasites with natural anti-microbials. We can then re-inoculate the intestines with good bacteria to restore the balance. This is best done under the guidance of a qualified nutritional therapist.

A stool test often takes the guesswork out of finding your root cause.

Parasite infection and Yeast overgrowth

Gut infections are another possible known cause of IBS. Many studies have confirmed a link between a single episode of bacterial gastroenteritis and future development of IBS. Parasites such as B. hominis, Giardia spp have also been associated with the progression of IBS, although causation is not yet confirmed. 

A yeast overgrowth can develop when dysbiosis has occurred, usually due to antibiotic usage and a diet containing sugar and refined foods which feed the yeast. Yeast releases strong chemicals that can make many people feel unwell.

Urine and stool tests can indicate if yeast infection is present.

What can I do?

Conventional medication or natural anti-fungals combined with a reduced-sugar diet can support the immune system and help fight the yeast. This is best done under the guidance of a qualified nutritional therapist.

Other contributing factors to consider:

Digestive issues such as low stomach acid, not chewing your food properly, less than optimal production of digestive enzymes can also led to pain and bloating.

What can I do? Chew more and pay attention to your food. Do not multi-task!

Stress: The function associated with ‘Digest and Repair‘is  part of our sympathetic nervous system which competes with our parasympathetic nervous system also called the ‘Fight or Fly’. Put in a simple way your body cannot do both so a state of stress will somewhat impair optimal digestion.

What can I do?  If you feel stressed delay eating and wait go for a walk or take a few deep breath before you start your meal, eat away from your desk