IBS
Did you know Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) frequently go together?
The reason why is not really known, but all three conditions include imbalances of the chemical Serotonin, the first 2 in the Brain and IBS in the Gut. All can begin after another illness and are strongly linked to stress.
IBS and Fibromyalgia are both associated with hypersensitivity, one in the Intestines and the other in the skin and muscles.
If you suffer from IBS, it means your Intestine is not functioning correctly. The actual structure is fine, but the condition is caused by intestinal stretching or disordered muscle movement which causes intense pain.
The condition tends to get worse over time and can be irritated by certain medication and food.
It can be debilitating and can impose a lot of restrictions not only on your diet but your lifestyle as well.
Depending on its severity it can really impact on day-to-day life making it impossible to attend social functions, go to work or travel short distances from home.
Symptoms of IBS include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Bloody stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Gas
- Bloating
- Abdominal distention
- Anemia
- Abdominal pain and cramping that wakes you up or keeps you awake
- Unintentional significant weight loss
Some People may also have other Symptoms, they include:
- Anxiety/ Depression
- Fatigue
- Headache
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Sleep problems
- Heart palpitations
- Skin rashes
IBS is diagnosed by identifying pattens in the above signs and symptoms and your doctor may do some other tests to rule out things such as:
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Colon Cancer
- Food sensitivities
Although IBS is a chronic condition there are a lot of treatments available to help you manage the symptoms and make you feel so much better, they include:
- Prescription diarrhoea medications
- Prescription Constipation medication
- Over the counter medication
- Dietary changes
- Stress management techniques
IBS typically overlaps with Fibro suggesting there is a common cause. Research shows the link may be related to the presence of Bacterial Overgrowth in the Small Intestine. Sticking to a treatment regimen can minimize your symptoms which in turn means each condition will have less impact not only on each other but on your life as well.