Why you should never settle for an IBS diagnosis
After YEARS of suffering with bloating and discomfort after eating you finally go to the doctor, all to be told that you have IBS. This feels great at first, you have an answer…
But being given the label of “IBS” does very little…it does nothing to tell you:
— WHY you’re in pain after eating, or
— WHAT to do next
It is also no more than a description of your symptoms, i.e. you have irritable bowels ~ something you already knew given that you have been struggling with digestive symptoms every day and this is what drove you to the doctor in the first place
What’s more, IBS is known as a diagnosis “of exclusion” ~ this means that it is a diagnosis that is given once other more serious conditions have been ruled out (such as infections, bowel cancer, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease)
What actually is IBS?
IBS manifests differently for each of us, with symptoms varying from one person to the next but common symptoms include: bloating, abdominal cramping, urgency to pass a stool, constipation and/or diarrhoea, fatigue, and issues with mood (anxiety and depression)
This means that IBS has been broken down into 4 different categories, depending on the type of symptoms you experience:
IBS C — associated with abdominal pain, bloating and constipation
IBS D — associated with abdominal pain and urgency to pass stools and diarrhoea
IBS A — associated with alternating between constipation and diarrhoea
IBS U — undefined, where symptoms do not fit into the above categories
Common IBS misconceptions
Despite the fact 1 in 5 of us will experience IBS symptoms at any one time, its causes are poorly understood and this means there are a lot of misconceptions out there ~ let’s break these down:
Number 1
“IBS is just about digestion”
Have you cut out all your trigger foods only to find that your bloating and stomach pains are no better?
This is because IBS is not just about the food! It is in fact a disorder of the gut-brain axis ~ aka the way your gut and brain communicate with each other. This happens in two ways:
physically ~ the gut has 500 million neurons that are connected to the brain through the nervous system with the biggest being the vagus nerve
chemically ~ through neurotransmitters (the chemicals that send messages to your brain and hormones, controlling your feelings and emotions) & the gut actually produces some neurotransmitters including serotonin (the happy hormone) and GABA (regulating fear and anxiety)
This means looking at your lifestyle is an important part of managing your IBS symptoms! In particular, stress management techniques have been associated with positive outcomes ~ so what I teach my clients is to:
identify where your stress is coming from
prioritise sleep, ensuring you are getting 7 to 8 hours a night
find the right form of exercise for you ~ by this I mean, one that is not an added stressor… it should make you feel energised, not exhausted
incorporate regular relaxation techniques such as spending time outdoors, eating more mindfully, deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness and yoga
Number 2
“Just take medication”
This is exactly what my client was told by her doctor ~ she was recommended to: take paracetamol for the pain, use fibre sachets to help with going to the bathroom and keep Imodium in her handbag in case of emergencies
But: pills do not teach skills
This medication-first approach for IBS is focused on symptom management, rather than addressing the root cause. And whilst some of these common approaches can make IBS a bit more bearable, they are a short-term fix and often come with undesirable side effects
Conversely, a holistic approach seeks to identify what is triggering your symptoms and can help provide a more comprehensive, long-term solution
Number 3
“I’ll have to live with IBS forever”
IBS is not a life-sentence ~ with the correct diet and lifestyle changes, you can enjoy eating symptom-free again!
The key to long-term relief is first asking what’s actually CAUSING your IBS ~ the change comes when you get to the root cause through an understanding of your lifestyle, your diet and the context to your symptoms
And this is where working with a health practitioner is really helpful, as together you can identify your stressors and triggers to implement changes that are going to serve you for years to come
If you would like support in this area, send me an email and we can chat through how I can best support you to alleviate your symptoms and break free from the cycle of IBS
This article is for educational purposes only and the implementation of the theories and practices discussed is at the sole discretion of the individual. All advice given is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns about your health, you should speak with your doctor or health physician