Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Have you ever experienced a gut wrenching pain in your stomach, which is quite often and you feel like your gut is taking a personal revenge out on you? Well, you are not alone ! Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition which directly affects the guts. It is a recurring condition which causes abdominal pain and affects the bowel habits.
Types of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) :
IBS-D : Diarrhea-predominant
IBS-C : Constipation-predominant
IBS-M : Mixed type (diarrhea and constipation)
Causes :
- occur after food poisoning or infections
- consuming trigger foods such as dairy, gluten and caffeine
- emotional stress or anxiety
- gut microbiome imbalance
Warning signs :
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- gas
- diarrhea
- constipation
- mucus in stool
- fatigue
- sleep disturbances
Managing IBS :
- Avoid carbohydrates
- identify your food triggers
- manage stress
- take your prescribed medications
- practice regular exercise
- consult a gastroenterologist
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very challenging disorder which is more than just a digestive issue. It can disrupt your regular activities. It is highly essential to understand the signs and causes and take precautionary actions against it.