What Is IBS & How Can You Manage It?
IBS Awareness Month is officially among us! And to mark the occasion, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to this common gastrointestinal condition.
After all, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common gastrointestinal condition that affects up to 30% of Australians. Despite this, many of us are still unaware of the condition or what it means. Let’s shed some light on the matter.
If you’ve been wondering ‘What is IBS?’ or ‘How can you manage IBS symptoms?’, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ve covered everything you need to know. Find out more below.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Let’s start with the basics - what is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition that targets the stomach and large intestine. It’s not life-threatening, though it can cause great discomfort within the digestive tract.
Some common symptoms of IBS include bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhoea, constipation, and flatulence. These symptoms vary between people, though a few common triggers can cause these symptoms to flare up.
What Is The Main Cause Of IBS?
At this point, you may be wondering - what is the main cause of IBS?
At this point, it’s not certain what the root cause of IBS is. That being said, various triggers can cause the condition to flare up in individuals with IBS.
Some of these common triggers include excessive stress, a poor diet, food intolerances, and medications. Though these triggers can vary between individuals, taking the time to identify your specific triggers will go a long way toward managing IBS daily.
5 Ways To Manage IBS
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the nitty gritty. Below, we’ve listed 5 ways to manage IBS. Check it out!
Keep A Food Diary
One of the best things you can do to manage IBS is to keep a food diary of the meals you consume each day.
Especially if you’re newly diagnosed with IBS, keeping a food diary may help to pinpoint any food triggers once symptoms start to arise. Moving forward, you can use this information to help manage the condition.
When it comes to keeping a food diary, make sure to take note of everything you’re eating - no matter how small it might seem. Once you finish a meal, get into the habit of writing it down immediately - don’t rely on memory.
Avoid Triggers
This one might sound a little obvious, but another great tip for managing IBS is to simply avoid your triggers.
If you haven’t done so already, take the time to identify the triggers that cause your IBS symptoms to flare up - whether it’s food intolerances, certain medications, stress, or anything in between. Once you’ve identified them, they become much easier to avoid.
Exercise Daily
Regular exercise is another great way you can manage or reduce any IBS symptoms.
Especially if your triggers are stress-related, low to moderate-intensity exercise can help by easing anxiety and promoting quality sleep. On top of this, physical activity can assist with clearing gas and encouraging regular bowel movements.
For the sake of general health and well-being, exercise should be a top priority - especially when it comes to IBS management.
Consider A FODMAP Diet
Low FODMAP Diets have been booming in popularity over recent years - especially when it comes to managing symptoms associated with IBS.
Firstly, a low FODMAP diet is believed to help by reducing bloating in the gut. Since the diet eliminates any foods that cause gas, it’s easier for foods to pass through the digestive system without leaving behind a trail of trapped air.
Common issues such as diarrhoea and constipation may also improve with a low FODMAP diet, as the process works to regulate your bowel movements.
Try Probiotics
Another great tool you can use to keep on top of IBS would be to use daily probiotics.
Probiotics are a powerhouse when it comes to gut health, helping to ensure your microbiome is well-balanced and operating as it should be. Though when it comes to managing IBS, the benefits of probiotics continue to grow.
For those with IBS, probiotics may be able to help by slowing-down bowel movements in transit, improving the consistency of stools, and easing intestinal discomforts to enhance the quality of life.
Perkii Probiotics Shots
If you’re on the hunt for a probiotic to help support gut health, we’d recommend trying these Perkii Probiotic Shots.
There’s a lot to love about these tasty shots. First and foremost, they’re bottled with 8 billion target-release probiotics - which work to rebalance and restore a healthy microbiome. They’re also packed with a healthy dose of vitamin C to support immune function.
There are 3 delicious flavours to choose from - Super Greens, Super Ginger and Super Berry. Though, for anyone on a FODMAP diet, the Super Ginger would be the best option as it’s FODMAP friendly.
*The information in this article should be considered as advice only. Before using probiotics or implementing any of the information above, speak with a healthcare professional.
