Could you have irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) means an irritability of the bowel and this can affect any area of the digestive tract.

The most common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:

• Abdominal pain – this may vary from dull aching, swollen pressure, cramping, or sharp in nature. The pains are usually intermittent and may disappear for long periods of time.
• Irregular pattern of bowel actions – constipation or diarrhoea, or constipation alternating with diarrhoea.
• Other symptoms may include belching, bloating, reduced appetite and excessive gas (flatulence).

What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

In most cases it is food intolerance. Sometimes it’s a sensitivity to gluten, wheat or dairy products; other people have difficulties digesting certain types of fermentable carbohydrates found in many common foods, such as grains, fruit and vegetables.

In the past, people who suffered with IBS were just told they need to relax more, and that stress was responsible for their condition. Fortunately we now understand a lot more about bowel conditions, and we know that stress is not the sole cause.

Wheat and other grains can be difficult to digest and they are responsible for many cases of bloated tummies and excess gas. The same can be said about dairy products. Some people are sensitive to the sugar in milk (lactose), while other people react to the protein (casein).

However, some people can react to certain fruits and vegetables. FODMAPS are a group of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed by many people. FODMAPS stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. Some people have a very low tolerance to these foods, and eating them causes a great deal of bloating and discomfort. FODMAPS tend to have a cumulative effect, so that people typically find they become more and more bloated as the day progresses.

If you want to try a low FODMAP diet, you may notice an improvement in bowel symptoms within a few days. Many commonly eaten foods are high in FODMAPS, including apples, pears, onion, garlic, broccoli and sweet potato. Legumes and lentils are especially high in FODMAPS, so it’s no wonder that many people with IBS find they cause a great deal of gas. For information on which foods are high and low in FODMAPS, have a look at this Monash University webpage.

The diet can feel very restrictive and boring, but it usually doesn’t have to be followed long term. Having a FODMAP sensitivity is usually a sign of poor gut health. Having too much bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria in your gut can cause you to lose the ability to digest FODMAPS properly, leading to IBS symptoms. Most people find that supplementing with a good quality probiotic helps to reduce bloating, gas and abdominal pain. It can also help to normalise bowel function, reducing episodes of diarrhea or constipation. Eating fermented foods regularly can greatly improve tolerance for FODMAPS.

Here are some other tips for good gut health:

• Set aside enough time to eat, and eat in a relaxed atmosphere. Think pleasant, positive thoughts while eating and chew your food thoroughly. If you take sufficient time to eat, the digestive enzymes from the salivary glands in your mouth will be able to mix well with the food.
• Do not talk excessively while eating as you may swallow excessive gas with the food, which will cause bloating.
• Avoid drinking large amounts of liquid with the meal, as this will dilute digestive enzymes.
• If you have a weak digestive system take digestive enzymes in the middle of your meal and sip one to two tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar diluted in 3 tablespoons of warm water 5 minutes before the meal.
• Avoid carbonated (fizzy) beverages or chewing gum after eating, as this will increase the gas in your stomach.
• Do not eat your food too rapidly because this will tend to cause over eating.
• It is far better to be a gourmet than a gourmand, and really experience the delicate flavours in every mouthful of your food. You’ll probably feel a lot less bloated afterwards.

You may need to see a healthcare practitioner to help you identify food sensitivities. It’s also possible you may have coeliac disease, which is a serious condition caused by gluten ingestion. If these suggestions don’t help alleviate your symptoms, please see your doctor.

If you suffer with any digestive problems, please see your doctor for a correct diagnosis and management of your condition.

To find out more about FODMAPS, read Dr Cabot’s books, “Healthy Bowel, Healthy Body” and “Healing Autoimmune Disease“.