help

[drunkengirl]

I was diaganosed with ibs before Christmas and am not sure what affects my condition

[Julie Thompson]

Hi drunkengirl

Knowing what causes symptoms is a big question to answer without knowing more detail, and it does depend on the individual. Using a diary can be very useful for tracking symptoms to see what is affecting them. You should write down what you eat and your mood and feelings and then also in a separate column add in your symptoms. Do this for a week or two and have a look for any patterns. Remember that your symptoms might not always be due to the food you have just eaten, it could be what you ate the meal before or it might not be food at all.

I also think another good option is to learn as much as you can about IBS. As such, I have included a link to the IBS network Self Care Programme, that would be the first port of call. Please see here...https://www.theibsnetwork.org/the-self-care-programme/ follow the tabs across the top of the page depending on your symptoms, and this will link into explaining what IBS and the symptoms are plus different treatments that can be tried to help.
I hope you find this useful

[Wendy Green]

Hi,

Although IBS can be an inherited condition and triggers vary from person to person, common ones include diet, stress and anxiety, gut bacteria imbalances and some medications.

When it comes to diet you may benefit from eating more of certain foods while avoiding others. If your main symptom is diarrhoea you may benefit from eating less insoluble fibre (found in whole wheat cereals, wholemeal bread, brown rice and pasta and vegetables) and more soluble fibre (found in porridge, oatcakes and oatbread, barley, beans, lentils, nuts & seeds).

If your main symptom is constipation you should aim to eat more of both types of fibre, along with plenty of liquids. Some people find certain fruits and vegetables such as apples, cabbage and onions can trigger symptoms. Sugar substitutes such as xylitol and coffee are other common triggers. You could try keeping a food and symptom diary for a few weeks to see if you can identify which foods cause you problems and then avoid them.

Stress and anxiety can trigger IBS because the brain and tummy are connected by the nervous system. This is why some people have an upset tummy when they are stressed or anxious about something. If you think stress is involved in your symptoms you could try some stress reduction techniques such as: mindfulness; outdoor 'green' exercise (e.g. gardening, walking); yoga, tai chi and taking time out for yourself.

You could also try taking a probiotic supplement, as sometimes an imbalance between good and bad gut bacteria can trigger IBS symptoms. Medications such as ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, and beta blockers can also trigger symptoms. If you think you're affected by certain medications, speak to your GP or pharmacist about alternatives.

I hope these tips helps you manage your IBS symptoms.

[drunkengirl]

thanks for the info