IBS Awareness Month

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem that affects about 1 in 10 people in this country and around the world.  IBS is considered a ‘functional’ bowel problem. That means that if you look at the bowel, it looks normal. But the nerves and muscles that control the bowel do not work normally, and that is what causes your symptoms. 

What are the symptoms of IBS?

Symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain

• bloating

• constipation

• diarrhea (or both diarrhea and constipation).

IBS symptoms tend to get worse and better over time.

What causes IBS symptoms?

No particular food causes IBS, but people may find that eating some foods makes their symptoms better or worse.  Because IBS is complicated, a food that seems to cause symptoms today may not cause symptoms tomorrow.  Stress also does not cause IBS, but stress may affect people’s symptoms as well.  Keeping a symptom diary is one thing recommended for people with IBS. Tracking your symptoms can help you and your care team to see patterns in your symptoms over time.  Here is a link to a free, printable version of an IBS symptom diary from the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

What is the FODMAP diet and what does it have to do with IBS?

FODMAP stands for "F-ermentable O-ligosaccharides, D-isaccharides, M-onosaccharides A-nd Polyols."  That is the complicated explanation.  The simple explanation is that these substances (types of carbohydrates) make your gut unhappy and can cause more gas, pain and diarrhea.  Recent research shows that people with IBS may be able to reduce some of their symptoms by eating less of foods with these types of carbohydrates.

Some foods to try eating less of or cutting out all together are:

• Dairy products containing lactose (cow's milk, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese)

• Products with high fructose corn syrup and fruits such as apples, watermelon, pears, peaches and plums

• The following vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, brussel sprouts, broccoli, garlic and onion

• Products with artificial sweeteners such as sugar-free gum and mints.

You can read more about the FODMAP diet here.