Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. In fact, statistics show that up to 15% of the American population is dealing with IBS. The chronic illness typically causes bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, or constipation. While it can’t be cured, it’s possible to manage the condition well and live a fulfilling life. This management starts with knowing what to expect now that you’ve been diagnosed.
Though you’ve already been diagnosed with IBS, your doctor will likely go a step further to pinpoint what form of the disease you’re dealing with.
By knowing this information, it will be easier for them to determine your treatment or management options.
The type of IBS you have can be categorized into constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, or mixed presentation based on your symptoms.
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Despite the discomfort that comes with IBS, not everyone has symptoms that are severe enough to require medication. In most cases, dietary changes and the careful management of triggers are enough.
If you need medication, this can range from over-the-counter remedies to prescribed drugs. The former can include anti-diarrheal medication, pain relievers, and laxatives while the latter may include drugs that control contractions or movement in the digestive system.
As with all digestive disorders, you may be prone to flare-ups. During these flares, you’ll typically experience worse symptoms than you normally have.
The best way to prevent this is to avoid the things that trigger you. While triggers can differ from one person to the other, a few common ones are high-protein foods, refined grains, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, and certain antibiotics.
If possible, write down what could have led to a flare-up so it’s easier to spot trends.
It’s easy to assume that any bowel issues must be related to your IBS but that’s not always the case. Though the symptoms can become severe, the disease isn’t known to cause any damage to the digestive system.
If you’re experiencing rectal bleeding, unexplained vomiting, persistent diarrhea, chronic pain, or difficulty swallowing, contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate that you’ve developed a more serious illness.
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As you might expect, it might be possible to manage your symptoms by changing how and what you eat.
There’s still no official meal plan for those with IBS, but many doctors are recommending a Low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are short-chain sugars that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine.
Some people with IBS have had good results from restricting high-FODMAP foods for short periods. Great foods for you to eat during this restriction are almonds, bananas, quinoa, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes, oats, tomatoes, and tangerines.
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Chronic stress can take a significant toll on your digestive health. If you’re constantly in stressful situations, it’s likely that you’ll have flares more often than someone who is not as stressed out.
It’s best to avoid stress whenever possible, but it’s also helpful to develop effective management techniques. These techniques can include practicing breathing exercises, meditating, having a regular exercise routine, and attending therapy.
There’s no evidence of a connection between IBS and poor mental health. However, many people with the illness also live with depression or anxiety, or both.
If you’ve noticed any changes in your mental health, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your options. Sometimes, a few lifestyle changes can help but there have been cases where the doctor needed to prescribe medication.
The numbers say that many people are currently living with IBS. While it can take some effort to figure out what works for you to manage the condition, it’s definitely possible. What’s important is that you maintain open communication with your doctor about any changes in your health and keep taking care of yourself.
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