Living with IBS — irritable bowel syndrome — is difficult, especially when you don't know when you'll have diarrhea, bloating, or abdominal pain. It’s a tricky condition to treat because everyone's gut responds differently to foods and other factors.
If you’re struggling with IBS symptoms and can’t control them alone, the team at Gateway Gastroenterology is here to help. Our gastroenterology specialists provide colonoscopies, hydrogen and methane breath testing, and lactose intolerance testing to help you with IBS.
IBS is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that leads to various uncomfortable symptoms. People with IBS may experience bouts of diarrhea, constipation, or both. They also experience abdominal pain or cramping, gas, and bloating.
Although IBS is uncomfortable, it doesn’t cause damage to the intestines or lining of the GI tract. It’s a long-term, chronic disorder that you can manage through diet changes, medications, and lifestyle modifications.
It’s not always clear what causes IBS, but there are several suspected culprits, and they include the following:
Problems with the muscles in the GI tract cause some of the symptoms of IBS. People with IBS may have muscles that contract more frequently, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and cramping.
People living with IBS may have hypersensitivity around the nerves in the GI tract. It may lead to more abdominal discomfort than people without IBS.
Gut bacteria that are out of balance are sometimes behind IBS symptoms. Gut health is crucial to the entire body, and when it's imbalanced, the symptoms of IBS come into play.
Food intolerances or allergies upset the GI tract, often causing symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Although stress may not directly cause IBS, it certainly plays a role in your symptoms. People with a lot of stress have various GI symptoms and intestinal upsets.
Treating IBS alone is difficult, but it’s completely possible through dietary changes. Learning your specific triggers is crucial in reducing symptoms related to IBS. We suggest the following nutritional changes to manage IBS symptoms successfully:
Increasing fiber intake is essential in managing IBS, especially constipation. Soluble fiber, found in foods like fruit, beans, and oats, is better than insoluble fiber at managing symptoms of IBS. Insoluble fibers are found in whole grain foods and vegetables.
Fiber provides bulk to the stool, making it softer and easier to pass. You can add fibrous foods to your diet or take supplements that increase fiber.
Gluten is a trigger for many people living with IBS. Even if you don't have celiac disease, gluten often causes symptoms of bloating, gas, and abdominal cramping with IBS.
Avoiding gluten entirely is a great start in managing IBS symptoms. Avoid foods like wheat products, breads, pasta, and grains.
A low-FODMAP diet is crucial in managing IBS symptoms. FODMAP stands for fermented oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These foods often lead to intestinal distress, especially in those with IBS.
Following a low FODMAP diet is essential in managing IBS. Safe foods include dairy alternatives, berries, eggs, fish, and rice or quinoa.
Managing IBS through your diet also means eliminating certain foods to alleviate symptoms. Overly processed foods and specific triggers in your body make IBS symptoms worse. We recommend avoiding the following foods:
If you struggle to alleviate symptoms through diet alone, our team evaluates your symptoms to create a customized treatment plan that may involve medications.
Contact Gateway Gastroenterology today to schedule an appointment for IBS treatment. Call or message us; we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, and Ballwin, Missouri.