Disclaimer: Irritable Bowel Syndrome can only be diagnosed by a licensed physician. Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is essentially a catch-all for digestive sensitivities to certain types of sugars, starches, and sugar-like compounds. The body has difficulty digesting these nutrients, which means that large amounts pass through the small intestine undigested and unabsorbed. Once they reach the large intestine, certain species of bacteria consume these compounds and use them to produce gasses and other end products, which can lead to bloating, diarrhea, and more. This process is called fermentation. Overconsumption of these sugars and starches feed the fermenting bacteria, causing them to grow in number. This leads to a depletion of beneficial bacteria, causing an imbalance in the gut, and a worsening of the condition.

What can worsen IBS symptoms?

• Dietary triggers including but not limited to:

  • Dairy

  • Wheat Products

  • Beans and Legumes

  • Some Fruits and Vegetables

  • Sweeteners

• Stress

• Inflammation

• Lack of sleep

• Disruption of gut health due to:

  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

  • Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)

  • Antibiotic use

  • Overuse of certain medications

What are common symptoms of IBS?

IBS symptoms can vary from individual to individual and include:

• Abdominal Pain

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Unusually frequent or infrequent bowel movements

• Nausea

• Gas and Bloating

• Cramping

Are there different types of IBS?

There exist three subcategories of IBS based on stool consistency:

• IBS-D: 75% or more of stools are considered diarrhea according to the Bristol Stool Chart.

• IBS-C: 75% or more of stools are considered constipation according to the Bristol Stool Chart

• IBS-M (Mixed): 25% or more of stools are considered diarrhea AND 25% or more of stools are considered constipation

How do I know I have IBS and not something else?

In order to rule out other digestive conditions such as Celiac Disease, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis, or an acute infection, you will need to consult a gastroenterologist. Blood tests, stool tests, and a colonoscopy can help to rule out other possible explanations for IBS-like symptoms. Additionally, a breath test can help to determine whether SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is present, which can coincide with the diagnosis of IBS. Antibiotics such as Rifaximin (Xifaxan) are commonly used to treat SIBO.

How do I manage and treat my IBS?

• The most important step one can take in treating IBS is to implement dietary changes. The Low-FODMAP Diet is the gold standard for managing IBS symptoms.

• Anti-spasmodics can be prescribed for those who experience abdominal cramping.

• Other medications to manage symptoms such as Amitriptyline exist as well.

• Supplementation can also assist in managing specific symptoms.

• While IBS itself cannot necessarily be cured, there are treatments for underlying conditions such as SIBO that may be exacerbating the condition. If you experience a sudden uptick in symptom severity, there may be a treatable cause for said worsening of symptoms.