April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness month, an action month created by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders to raise awareness about what it is, what’s new in research and how you can get involved to join in on the conversation too.

What is IBS?

IBS is a chronic functional bowel disorder with a collection of symptoms, such as abdominal pain and discomfort, without the presence of abnormal pathology¹. It affects 1 in 7 adults worldwide² with women three times more likely to experience IBS symptoms compared to men, often exacerbated during that time of the month or in times of high stress. Risk factors for the syndrome include being of younger age and previous gastrointestinal infections³.

IBS can be subcategorised into different types e.g. 

• IBS with Constipation (hard stools most of the time or loose stools less than 25% of the time), commonly present in women
• IBS with Diarrhoea (loose stools most of the time or hard stools less than 25% of the time), commonly present in men
• IBS with Alternating Constipation and Diarrhoea (both hard and soft more than 25% of the time).
• Post Infectious IBS (a nonspecific response to infection caused by pathogens)^4-6
• Post-diverticulitis IBS (characterised by diverticular-related visceral hypersensitivity, changed microbiota similar to IBS following acute diverticulitis)⁷

Individuals with IBS often have symptoms that overlap between subcategories meaning they can switch from one to the other⁸

Symptoms

While some people experience only mild to moderate symptoms, others can experience debilitating symptoms which for some largely affect their quality of life. Common symptoms include abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation, however, not all symptoms are gastrointestinal and fatigue is very common. These symptoms can coexist with other symptoms affecting the body (e.g. pain, overactive bladder), affecting the mind (e.g. depression and anxiety) or pain affecting the inner organs (e.g. visceral hypersensitivity).

Diagnosis

Despite affecting a large proportion of the population, only a small number of people seek medical attention for IBS symptoms⁹ and often go unaware or undiagnosed. Diagnosis is determined by a health professional following the elimination of other similar conditions (e.g. Coeliac disease, Crohn's Disease and bowel cancer) using a diagnostic criterion or based on whether you have typical symptoms¹⁰.

Pathogenesis

Several studies have investigated the pathogenesis (or origins story) of the syndrome however it is currently not understood. Several theories of the cause include; alterations in inner organ sensitivity, brain alterations, bowel movements, secretory abnormalities, microbial imbalance, nerve sensitization, altered gene profiles the list goes on³. Good news is, research into IBS has advanced significantly in the past decade with new discoveries every day.

Management

Management of IBS symptoms involves a combined approach which depends largely on the individual. Ranging from a confident relationship between patient and provider, behavioural (e.g. exercise) and psychological treatment (e.g. mindfulness) to dietary changes.

Knowing what to eat can be a big battle for some with certain types of food exacerbating symptoms or leading to fear of the onset of symptoms. Elimination diets are often used to remove the common triggers of symptoms, some patients suggest reducing wheat, dairy products, eggs, coffee, yeast, citrus fruits are helpful¹¹ but following such a restricted diet can be difficult.

Fibre and fibre-supplements help add bulk to stools, increasing stool frequency that helps with chronic constipation faced by IBS-C sufferers. The size of meals and speed of eating can also affect symptoms, therefore, eating smaller portions more regularly and chewing slowly could also help over time. Mindful eating has been also suggested to bring back the healthy relationship between food after dietary restrictions¹² for more about what mindful eating is and how to try it for yourself, check out our post on it here.

75% of those experiencing IBS symptoms often find relief following a low FODMAP diet with guidance from an experienced dietitian². FODMAPs are a collection of fermentable carbohydrates (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine, causing diarrhoea in some, whilst others experience flatulence and abdominal discomfort caused by bacterial fermentation in the large intestine.

The low FODMAP can be a tricky one to navigate, and one that should be followed with the guidance of a healthcare professional like your doctor or an Accredited Dietitian. For more information about FODMAPS, check out our post here.

Although IBS is complex with no known treatment currently, not all is lost as symptoms can be managed so you can have more time for life.  For more information on how IBS and how to manage it, head here.  

Let us know in the comments what you have found works for you.

References