Written by Raquel Britzke
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting millions worldwide. In the UK alone, it impacts approximately 10-15% of the population, making it a significant public health concern. If you suspect you have IBS or have recently been diagnosed, here’s a comprehensive guide to help manage your symptoms effectively through dietary changes and other supportive measures.
What is IBS?
IBS is a common condition affecting the gut characterised by a group of symptoms that typically occur together. These symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea, constipation, or both and they may come and go with time. Unlike some other gastrointestinal conditions, IBS does not cause permanent damage to the intestines.
Does IBS have another name?
In the past, doctors called IBS colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, nervous colon, and spastic bowel.
Diagnosing IBS
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation and exclusion of other conditions. A healthcare provider will often perform:
- Medical history review: Discuss your symptoms, their frequency, and any potential triggers.
- Physical examination: Checking for physical signs that may suggest other conditions.
- Diagnostic tests: These may include blood tests, stool tests, and imaging studies to rule out other gastrointestinal disorders.
Symptoms of IBS
Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloating and gas
- Diarrhoea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or a mix of both (IBS-M)
- Changes in bowel movement frequency or consistency
How can my diet help treat the symptoms of IBS?
1. Elimination Diet
Begin by removing suspected trigger foods from your diet. Gradually reintroduce them to determine which foods may be causing symptoms. Consult a dietitian to ensure you do not just eliminate food from the diet without substituting adequately to avoid nutritional deficiencies.
While not always necessary, identifying specific food intolerances can be helpful. Common intolerances include dairy and gluten.
2. Low FODMAP Diet
The Low FODMAP diet, developed by Monash University, is a scientifically validated approach. It involves reducing foods that are high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Consult a dietitian to ensure correct implementation.
3. Increase fibre
Adjust the fibre in the diet to improve bowel movements. Increase the daily amount gradually. Foods like flaxseeds.
4. Supplements and Natural Remedies
- Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing properties, it may help with inflammation and gut health.
- Digestive Enzymes: These can aid digestion and alleviate symptoms.
- Fibre as a supplement: several studies support the use of psyllium husk supplementation for IBS. Psyllium husk can also be used for cooking.
Non-Diet Related Lifestyle Changes for IBS
- Exercise: Regular physical activity enhances blood flow to the gut, reduces gas and bloating, and improves overall well-being. Exercise has also been shown to alleviate stress, which is often linked to IBS symptoms.
- Mental health support: Psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can help address the stress and anxiety that often accompany IBS. Stress management techniques are integral to a holistic approach to managing IBS.
How a Dietitian Can Help
An IBS dietitian plays a crucial role in managing IBS by providing personalised dietary guidance and support. Here’s how a dietitian can assist:
- Personalised diet plans: A dietitian can create a tailored diet plan based on your specific symptoms, preferences, and nutritional needs. They can help you implement dietary strategies like more fibre in the diet and the Low FODMAP diet and monitor its effectiveness.
- Identifying trigger foods: Through detailed dietary assessments and elimination diets, a dietitian can help identify foods that may be exacerbating your IBS symptoms and suggest suitable alternatives.
- Nutritional education: A dietitian educates you about which foods to include and avoid, ensuring that you maintain balanced nutrition while managing your symptoms.
- Monitoring and adjusting: Regular consultations with a dietitian allow for ongoing monitoring of your symptoms and dietary habits. They can make necessary adjustments to your diet plan based on your progress and any new symptoms.
- Complementary therapies: Dietitians can work alongside other healthcare professionals to integrate complementary therapies like CBT, helping address both dietary and psychological aspects of IBS.
- Addressing nutritional deficiencies: By evaluating your nutritional intake and performing deficiency tests, dietitians can provide targeted recommendations to address any deficiencies that might be affecting your overall health and IBS management.
Conclusion
Managing IBS involves a multi-faceted approach that includes dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and, when necessary, psychological support. An IBS dietitian provides essential expertise in creating and managing personalised diet plans, identifying food triggers, and supporting overall nutritional health. For tailored advice and professional help with gut health and IBS management, consider consulting a specialist dietitian.
Miss Raquel Britzke is a dedicated expert in nutrition and fitness. As a Registered Dietitian, Sports Nutritionist, and Certified Personal Trainer, she helps people with weight loss, health improvement, and muscle gain. Raquel graduated from Unicentro in Brazil and completed postgraduate studies in Sports Nutrition with the International Olympics Committee in the UK. She takes a holistic approach, blending nutrition and NLP techniques, to support her clients’ well-being. Raquel’s passion for positive change makes her a trusted and respected professional in her field.
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