Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is gastrointestinal (gut) condition which is characterised by symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits
The cause of IBS is unknown, but environmental factors – such as changes of routine, emotional stress, infection and diet – can trigger an attack.
Some of the more common signs of irritable bowel syndrome include:
Diagnosis can be made using the Rome IV Criteria
Recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria:
(Source: https://theromefoundation.org)
It is important if you have gut symptoms to rule out other causes or sources of the discomfort and pain including : Endometriosis, Inflammatory Bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis ), certain Cancers, or Coeliac disease.
IBS cannot be cured with medication. The primary preventative measure is to identify and avoid individual triggers. A Low FODMAP diet may help some people to reduce the symptoms of IBS.
IBS FACTS
The Low FODMAP diet
FODMAP is an acronym which stands for Fermentable Oligo- Di- Mono-saccharides And Polyols.
FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates and found in several, fruits, vegetables, milks, breads and cereals. These short –chain carbohydrates are small in size and are either poorly absorbed or not absorbed at all, leading to water being pulled into the intestine via a process called osmosis.
Removing or reducing a few or all of the High FODMAP foods can support symptom relief for some people with IBS.
The Low FODMAP diet is designed to be followed for a short period of time, to determine which FODMAP sugars cause issues with individuals.
A Dietitian can guide you through a Low FODMAP diet and the individual challenges.
IBS is gastrointestinal (gut) condition which is characterised by symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits
The cause of IBS is unknown, but environmental factors – such as changes of routine, emotional stress, infection and diet – can trigger an attack.
Some of the more common signs of irritable bowel syndrome include:
- The movement of food and waste through the GI tract (“motility disturbance”) leading to alternating diarrhoea and constipation
- Heightened experience of pain in the internal organs (“visceral hypersensitivity”) experienced as abdominal bloating
- Changes in the gut’s immune defences (“altered mucosal and immune function”)
- Changes in the community of bacteria in the gut (“altered gut microbiota”)
- Changes in how the brain sends and receives from the gut (“altered central nervous system processing”)
- Nausea
Diagnosis can be made using the Rome IV Criteria
Recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria:
- Related to defecation
- Associated with a change in frequency of stool
- Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
(Source: https://theromefoundation.org)
It is important if you have gut symptoms to rule out other causes or sources of the discomfort and pain including : Endometriosis, Inflammatory Bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis ), certain Cancers, or Coeliac disease.
IBS cannot be cured with medication. The primary preventative measure is to identify and avoid individual triggers. A Low FODMAP diet may help some people to reduce the symptoms of IBS.
IBS FACTS
- IBS is thought to affect between 7 and 15% of the population worldwide
- IBS is 1.5 times more common in women than men
- Commonly diagnosed before the age of 50 years
- There is no cure, but diet, stress management including hypnotherapy, herbal preparations, exercise including yoga may all support to relieve or reduce symptoms
- IBS is unpredictable. Symptoms vary and are sometimes contradictory. Diarrhea can alternate with constipation. Long-term symptoms can disrupt personal and professional activities, and limit individual potential.
- The impact of IBS can range from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation.
- There is no cure, but diet, stress management including hypnotherapy, herbal preparations, exercise including yoga may all support to relieve or reduce symptoms
The Low FODMAP diet
FODMAP is an acronym which stands for Fermentable Oligo- Di- Mono-saccharides And Polyols.
FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates and found in several, fruits, vegetables, milks, breads and cereals. These short –chain carbohydrates are small in size and are either poorly absorbed or not absorbed at all, leading to water being pulled into the intestine via a process called osmosis.
Removing or reducing a few or all of the High FODMAP foods can support symptom relief for some people with IBS.
The Low FODMAP diet is designed to be followed for a short period of time, to determine which FODMAP sugars cause issues with individuals.
A Dietitian can guide you through a Low FODMAP diet and the individual challenges.
