Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a medical term used to describe a collection of gut symptoms.
IBS is a common condition which effects around 1 in 5 adults.
Symptoms vary from one person to another and can be worse for some than others.
An assessment of IBS should be considered only if there is abdominal pain or discomfort that is either relieved by defaecation (opening the bowels) or associated with a change in bowel habit. Symptoms should have been present for at least six months and should be accompanied by at least two of the following four symptoms:
- altered stool passage (straining, urgency, incomplete evacuation)
- abdominal bloating (more common in women than men), distension, tension or hardness
- symptoms made worse by eating
- passage of mucus
It isn’t understood why IBS occurs. It may be triggered by gastroenteritis (stomach bug), food poisoning, medications, gut-affecting surgery (C-section) or a poor diet & lifestyle. Often, it is affected by mental health (stress and anxiety) and our diet.
IBS can affect both children and adults of any gender and age.
Treatment includes a mixture of lifestyle changes, medication and therapy.
Nerva:
The cause of IBS is not currently understood, however there is strong evidence of the brain/ gut connection. Gut focused hypnotherapy can help in the management of your symptoms.
The Nerva app has been designed and clinically verified by the Monash university team. It is a 6 week gut focused hypnotherapy programme which improves IBS symptoms in 78% of people.
https://try.nervaibs.com/start-free-trial-1/
At Bridge View Medical we now have a Dietitian, who is available via referral from our clinical team. Appointments are available to help improve IBS symptoms, if you have been diagnosed with IBS.
Below is a link to the questionnaire you will be asked to complete before your appointment.
IBS and Diet
Please see the below links for information about dietary changes which could help improve IBS symptoms.
Patients shouldn’t do a low-FODMAP diet without the support of a Dietitian. If you have trialled ‘First Line Advice’ (altering your intake of caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, fatty foods and sweeteners in your diet) and have made lifestyle changes (exercise, addressed stress & anxiety and follow regular eating patterns) and still experience IBS symptoms, you may benefit from trialling the low-FODMAP diet. This can be challenging, so should be done with the support of a Dietitian. Speak to your Doctor about arranging a referral to a Dietitian.