Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the function of the digestive system. It is thought that IBS affects 1 in 7 people with women experiencing the condition almost twice as much as men.

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What causes IBS?

The exact causes of IBS are hard to pinpoint however ongoing research at Monash University has been able to highlight a few causes:

  1. Altered gastrointestinal motility or simply put, the movement of food from the mouth through the body. Accelerated or delayed colonic transit can contribute to the onset of diarrhoea or constipation

  2. Impaired perception and processing of information in the brain. Relatively new research that links the gut and brain in a complex reflex circuit called the “Gut-Brain Axis” has suggested that psychological factors such as stress and anxiety can influence gastrointestinal motility.

  3. Intestinal permeability commonly known as “leaky gut” may also be linked to psychological stress and anxiety as this can affect the barrier functions of the gastrointestinal tract

  4. Alterations in gut microbiota may be affected due to short or long-term dietary changes. For example eliminating food groups to follow a specific dietary habit may cause disruption of the gut microbiota

Common symptoms of IBS

  1. Abdominal Pain

  2. Alternating bowel habits e.g. experiencing episodes of diarrhoea to then experiencing constipation

  3. Excessive flatulence

  4. Distension

  5. Bloating

As the symptoms of IBS appear to be fairly generic and common it is important to monitor them and seek medical advice if they are persistent. This is because there is a risk of misdiagnosis with other conditions such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, endometriosis, and pelvic floor disorders.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms on a regular basis seek advice from a registered dietician or registered nutritionist who is qualified to identify risk factors and who will refer you to a medical practitioner if necessary. 

Be mindful of using Dr Google or social media influencers who tell you they can cure your problems and always ensure you check the qualifications of the professional you seek advice from.  

 
Conditions, IBSLisa TarquiniLT NutritionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS), IBSComment