Gut Health Matters: How to Improve Life with IBS

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that is becoming more and more common in India lately. While its symptoms overlap with those of many other gastrointestinal conditions, it is important to note that these symptoms may come and go and be persistent.

There are high chances of this disease being ignored due to the normalisation of IBS symptoms or a misdiagnosis, as symptoms mimic those of common GI conditions.

This is exactly what happened in Shalini’s case.

It all started with a minor discomfort in the stomach, with occasional pain in the stomach. 40-year-old Shalini either blamed the outside food she ate once in a while or her busy life. “What else could cause abdominal discomfort?” she thought. Gradually, these symptoms became more frequent and pronounced. Additionally, there were new symptoms like increased gas, diarrhoea, and the presence of mucus in stools.

In a short span of time, these symptoms became so severe that they started affecting Shalini’s day-to-day activities. Sometimes, feeling anxious about something was enough to make her want to pass stools. This is when she decided to see a doctor.

Upon examining her thoroughly and recommending some tests, her doctor told her that she had irritable bowel syndrome. The doctor also made her understand it was not possible to cure IBS; however, with certain tips for living with IBS, it was possible to lead a normal life.

Just like Shalini, many people brush off IBS symptoms and see them as a result of something they ate or a busy lifestyle.

The key to identifying IBS early is to be mindful of different IBS symptoms and pay attention to them when they come and go or are persistent.

In this article, we are trying to dissect the critical aspects of irritable bowel syndrome, namely its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, tips for living with IBS, and possible preventive measures. We also briefly discuss the relationship between gut health and irritable bowel syndrome.

Understanding IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means that this disease primarily affects the function of the GI tract and not its structure. Understanding the pathway of IBS is crucial to managing it effectively.

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

While we don’t know the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome, we do know that certain factors increase the risk of IBS and cause serious symptoms if no proper intervention is administered. Many studies have established a link between gut health and the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome.

The following are the different risk factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome:

1. Gut-brain axis dysfunction: There is constant communication between your gut and brain. This gut-brain axis communicates with different systems within the body, namely the nervous system, endocrine system, immune system, and gut microbiome.

When this communication is hampered, the gut may become more sensitive than normal and cause various digestive symptoms.

2. Intestinal muscle contractions: Food moves through the bowel through muscle contractions. However, when these muscle contractions get too strong or happen out of sync, they lead to colon spasms, which, in turn, may lead to IBS.

3. Infections: In some cases, IBS can occur after certain bacterial, parasitic, and protozoal infections, usually within 2-3 years, and it is referred to as post-infectious IBS.

4. Early-life Stress and Traumatic Experiences: Those who have experienced physical, mental, and emotional abuse or general trauma early on in their life have a higher risk of developing IBS than those who have not.

5. Microbiome Imbalance: The gut microbiome is responsible for numerous vital body functions, including digestion, nutrient production, metabolism, immune system regulation, and more. An imbalance in gut bacteria can increase the risk of IBS.

6. Food Sensitivities: Certain food allergies can also lead to a higher chance of developing irritable bowel syndrome.

7. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes may also contribute to increased IBS risk. For instance, menstruation is observed to worsen bowel symptoms and increase sensitivity to pain.

How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed?

Being mindful of the different symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and seeing a gastro specialist when something is not normal is crucial, as it can help you receive timely medical attention.

There is no definitive diagnostic test for IBS. This condition is often diagnosed by ruling out other GI conditions. The following are the different tests available for an IBS diagnosis:

Clinical Evaluation (based on ROME criteria): Initially, the specialist will recommend a criteria-based diagnostic test with the following parameters:

• The patient has been experiencing recurrent abdominal pain at least once a day/week for the last three months, along with one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Changes in the frequency of bowel movements
  • Changes in the appearance of stool

Detailed Medical History: The specialist will also assess your medical history to understand the cause of symptoms, look for hereditary components, and find out if there are any potential triggers involved.

Stool Tests: Patients with IBS-related symptoms may also be asked to undergo stool tests to look for signs of infection and inflammation.

Other tests that may be recommended as part of the IBS diagnosis include upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT scans.

Living Well with IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome cannot be managed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Gastroenterologists study the individual case parameters before recommending a customised treatment plan. IBS management strategies predominantly involve dietary management, lifestyle changes, and medications.

Dietary Management

Identifying Food Triggers (Maintaining a Food Diary)

Certain foods trigger IBS syndromes or worsen them. Initially, you may not know which foods worsen your IBS. In such cases, you may have a food diary that can help you remember which foods are good for your gut and which aren’t.

A Low FODMAP Diet

FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are the different types of short-chain carbohydrates or sugars. These carbohydrate forms are not absorbed by the small intestine.

When IBS patients consume these sugars, they may experience digestive symptoms like flatulence, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.

Such patients should consider a low FODMAP diet to prevent their IBS symptoms from flaring up. Some of the foods falling into the low FODMAP category include red capsicum, oranges, grapes, eggs, plain-cooked meat, oats, rice, peanuts, and dark chocolate.

IBS patients can adapt to a low FODMAP diet in two ways – firstly, the consumption of these sugars should be temporarily reduced, and secondly, their consumption should be optimised to be able to eat these sugars without triggering IBS symptoms.

Keeping Oneself Hydrated

Hydration is crucial for IBS patients, as it helps alleviate symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhoea.

Consuming Fibre-rich Foods (with Doctor’s Recommendation)

Consuming fibre-rich foods can improve digestion and ease bowel movements in IBS patients. There are two types of fibres – soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre foods help patients with diarrhoea-dominant IBS (IBS-D) and insoluble fibre foods help patients with constipation-dominant IBS (IBS-C). A good gut health diet will have about 20-35 grams of soluble fibre.

One may also speak to a specialist to know the right amount of fibre to consume to manage their IBS symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes

Along with diet changes, certain lifestyle modifications are also crucial to managing IBS effectively.

Effective Stress Management

Along with being one of the biggest risk factors, stress may also trigger or worsen IBS symptoms. Therefore, effective stress management through relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, etc. is crucial for managing IBS and not worsening its symptoms.

Regular Exercise

Exercise can positively impact bowel function and stress management, which is crucial for IBS patients. Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week.

Proper Sleep Cycle

Having a proper sleep cycle can help IBS patients restore their gut bacteria balance, reduce inflammation, and improve their immune function.

The Gut Microbiome and IBS

Good gut health is when your gut strikes a perfect balance between good bacteria, bad bacteria, and yeasts, has optimum intestinal permeability, and maintains healthy intestinal immunity. Good gut health is important for nutrient absorption, metabolism, immune system regulation, controlling inflammation, reducing obesity risk, and curbing the risk of various health conditions.

When there is an imbalance in the gut microbiome, it leads to poor gut health. In such cases, the gut may become way more sensitive than usual. In most cases, poor gut health can be addressed successfully with lifestyle changes. However, in some cases, it can lead to irritable bowel syndrome

The Role of Gut Microbiome in Digestion

The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the digestion process. It breaks down carbohydrates and fibres, which cannot be digested by the body. The gut microbiome facilitates the fermentation of these non-digestible components, which leads to the growth of micro-organisms that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gases. These SCFAs are responsible for energy production, glucose production, and lipid synthesis.

Having a diverse gut microbiome positively impacts the critical functions of the gut and overall health.

When to See a Doctor?

Initially, the symptoms of IBS may look like signs of common GI issues. However, gradually, they become persistent and start affecting their day-to-day activities. Commonly observed symptoms of IBS include stomach pain and cramps, nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, mucus in stools, fatigue, bowel incontinence, and back pain.

If any of these symptoms last for more than 4 weeks, you should see a gastroenterologist for a proper evaluation.

Seeing a gastroenterologist will help you learn the cause of your GI symptoms and seek appropriate care.

Gastroenterology Care at HCG Hospitals

As a leading gastroenterology hospital in Hubli, HCG Suchirayu is fully equipped to treat different types of gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. Our gastro specialists, who believe in taking a holistic approach to managing GI issues, will carefully understand each case of IBS before recommending a customised treatment plan to manage the condition effectively.

If you are looking for the best gastroenterologist in Hubli, you may consider visiting HCG Suchirayu Hospitals in Hubli.

Conclusion

Maintaining good gut health is crucial for overall health. A healthy gut may also help reduce the risk of irritable bowel syndrome and other diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Various measures can help manage their IBS effectively, and they include diet changes, lifestyle modifications, maintaining a proper sleep routine, and appropriate management of stress.

Being aware of the different trigger factors of IBS and its symptoms can help one reach out to a gastro specialist for timely medical interventions and adopt appropriate measures to take care of their gut health effectively.