IBS: What is it?

What Is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that can cause your digestive system to feel pretty terrible. It often comes with symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach pain and is sometimes linked to how your body reacts to certain foods.

There are different types of IBS, depending on the symptoms you experience:

• IBS-C: IBS with constipation.

• IBS-D: IBS with diarrhea.

• IBS-M: A mix of both constipation and diarrhea.

• IBS-U: When symptoms don’t fit into a specific category.

Symptoms:

• Abdominal Pain or Discomfort: Often feels like cramping or aching, usually related to bowel movements.

• Bloating: A full or swollen feeling in your belly.

• Gas: Excessive flatulence, which can be uncomfortable.

• Changes in Bowel Movements: This could mean diarrhea (IBS-D) with frequent, loose stools; constipation (IBS-C) with hard-to-pass stools; or a mix of both (IBS-M).

• Urgency: A sudden, strong need to use the bathroom.

• Incomplete Evacuation: Feeling like you didn’t completely empty your bowels.

• Mucus in Stool: Seeing clear or white mucus in your bowel movements.

• Nausea: Feeling queasy or like you might vomit.

• Fatigue: Feeling generally tired or low on energy.

• Difficulty Sleeping: Having trouble sleeping, often due to discomfort or pain.

Causes of IBS

Research has yet to discover the exact cause of IBS. With that, it is well known that these several factors can play a role in the severity of your IBS symptoms:

• Food Intolerances: Certain foods may trigger symptoms.

• Gut Microbiome: An imbalance in gut bacteria, known as gut dysbiosis, has been linked to IBS.

• Stress: Chronic stress can make IBS symptoms worse.

• Poor Immune Health: A weakened immune system could contribute.

• Motility Issues: Problems with how food moves through your digestive system.

• Brain-Gut Connection: The brain plays a key role in controlling sensations and the movement of food through your digestive system, so when there’s a problem between the brain and gut, it can lead to IBS symptoms like pain, gas, bloating, and either diarrhea or constipation.

IBS Treatment + Management

Treating IBS involves a comprehensive approach, combining medical, dietary, and psychological therapies, because there's no single cause of IBS.

While some people try to manage their symptoms alone, only 39% see significant improvement. On the other hand, 80% of those who work with a dietitian report relief from their symptoms. Studies show that after 12 months of care led by a gastroenterologist, 50% of patients improve, but those with access to a dietitian experience even better outcomes.

Dietitians are specialists in identifying dietary triggers, optimizing nutrition, and delivering personalized dietary interventions. Unlike medical practitioners, who typically receive minimal nutrition training, dietitians are the experts you want on your team for managing IBS.

If any of this sounds like something you or someone you know is dealing with, I can help!

Some of the methods a Registered Dietitian might use to help manage your IBS include:

• Identifying Triggers: Figuring out which foods or factors worsen your symptoms.

• Food Elimination + FODMAP: Combined with a Low FODMAP Diet to see what works for you.

• Implementing Prebiotics and Probiotics: To support gut health.

• Encouraging Exercise and Stress Management: Regular physical activity and stress reduction practices can make a big difference.

Working closely with a Registered Dietitian is key to managing IBS effectively. The Low FODMAP Diet, for example, has been shown to improve IBS symptoms without forcing you to give up foods that help with gut health. Prebiotics and probiotics can also offer significant relief, while regular exercise helps maintain overall health and reduces GI symptoms.

Remember, IBS is a medical diagnosis, and the discomfort and bowel issues that come with it are real, even if no clear medical cause can be found. Taking a comprehensive approach to treatment that includes working with a dietitian is essential for finding relief.

References

• Burgell RE, Hoey L, Norton K, Fitzpatrick J. Treating disorders of brain-gut interaction with multidisciplinary integrated care. Moving towards a new standard of care. JGH Open. 2024 May 20;8(5)

. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.13072. PMID: 38770352; PMCID: PMC11103762.

• Clinical Response to Personalized Dietary Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Zarini, G. et al.Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 123, Issue 9, A24.

• Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control StudiesWang, Lin et al. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 120, Issue 4, 565 - 586.

• Ford, Alexander C. MB ChB, MD, FRCP1; Moayyedi, Paul BSc, MB ChB, PhD, MPH, FA

• G, FRCP, FRCPC, AGAF2; Chey, William D. MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP3; Harris, Lucinda A. MD, FACG4; Lacy, Brian E. MD, PhD, FACG5; Saito, Yuri A. MD, MPH, FACG6; Quigley, Eamonn M. M. MD, MACG, FRCP, FACP, FRCPI7 for the ACG Task Force on Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. American Journal of Gastroenterology 113()

1-18, June 2018. | DOI: 10.1038/s41395-018-0084-x