April marks Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month - or as it's more commonly known - IBS.
IBS can be a very painful and life-changing condition causing discomfort and chronic pain for many people.
And even today, it is said to go largely undiagnosed with "one and two in 10 people in the UK thought to have it" according to Bupa.
READ MORE - Eastenders Dot Cotton actress June Brown dies aged 95 as tributes pour in
There is no specific age you should be looking out for it as anyone can develop it at any time throughout their life - however Bupa state that it’s most common for symptoms to start between the ages of 20 and 30.
So with Awareness Month now underway, many people are looking into the condition to see if they recognise the symptoms.
So what do you need to know during IBS Awareness Month?
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system.
It causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation which tend to come and go over time lasting anywhere from a few minutes to weeks and even months at a time.
There is no cure for IBS but diet and lifestyle changes can help alleviate an control symptoms.
What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
It is unknown what the cause is but at present, theories suggest it is linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress and a family history of IBS, according to the NHS.
What are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
According to the NHS these are the main symptoms:
- Stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
- Bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
- Diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
- Constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully
There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they're worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.
What can trigger IBS symptoms:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty food
- Stress and anxiety
IBS can also cause:
- Farting (flatulence)
- Passing mucus from your bottom
- Tiredness and a lack of energy
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Backache
- Problems peeing, like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
- Not always being able to control when you poo (bowel incontinence)
The NHS stress that you should seek an urgent appointment with your GP if you:
- Have lost a lot of weight for no reason
- Are bleeding from your bottom or bloody diarrhoea
- Have a hard lump or swelling in your tummy
- Have a shortness of breath
- Have noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
- Have pale skin
- Think your diet changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping
- Need to avoid lots of different foods to control your symptoms
These could be signs of something more serious.
How do you get diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
The GP will ask about your symptoms, such as:
- What symptoms you have
- If your symptoms come and go
- How often you get them
- When you get them (for example, after eating certain foods)
- How long you've had them for
After detailing your history, your GP may arrange:
- A blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease
- Tests on a sample of your poo to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
What people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome should avoid
The NHS state people with IBS should:
Cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can
Keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS
Try to find ways to relax
Get plenty of exercise
Try probiotics for a month to see if they help
Meanwhile the health board says people with IBS should not do the following:
Do not delay or skip meals
Do not eat too quickly
Do not eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods
Do not eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)
Do not drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
Do not drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks
Do you have IBS - how were you diagnosed and what's your one tip for others who think they may have it?
