As a chronic gastrointestinal condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can have a severe impact on a person’s quality of life.
The pain it causes and the stress and embarrassment that can arise from IBS can leave people feeling isolated and hopeless; research has shown that people with IBS are twice as likely to also have depression or anxiety compared to the general population.
Dr. Colleen Parker, Staff Gastroenterologist at UHN’s Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre, contributed a guest post, sharing what she tells her patients about living with IBS.
IBS is a lifelong condition
IBS is a chronic condition. Once someone develops IBS, they generally have it for the rest of their life. People will tend to have periods of time where their symptoms are a bit worse and then they’ll get a little bit better, but they’re always sort of at risk for it flaring up again.
There is no cure for IBS; however, there are effective treatment options.
Living well with IBS
IBS often needs a multidisciplinary approach – care that includes physicians, nurses and dieticians. Together, we can help patients develop a strategy to manage IBS from several angles.
Managing stress, anxiety and depression
IBS is what is called “a disorder of gut-brain interaction.” The gut sends inappropriate pain signals from normal things like food passing through, which the brain then misinterprets as dangerous, intensifying the pain signal. Understandably, people notice this pain more, triggering more “danger” signals and creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
The good news is that treatment options like cognitive behavioural therapy can help “retrain” the brain, breaking this cycle and helping get symptoms under control.
Building a diet plan
Certain foods can trigger or worsen IBS symptoms. These can differ from person to person. Trying to manage symptoms, people can cut out more foods than necessary – turning eating into a very stressful experience.
Working with a registered dietitian can help you identify triggers while maintaining a healthy and fulfilling diet.
Staying active and hydrated
Regular exercise can help with stress management and encourage the movement of food through the intestines. Even light exercise like walking or stretching can make a big difference!
It’s important to stay hydrated and drink at least two litres of non-caffeinated fluids a day, which can also help with constipation and bloating.
Medication options
There are medications that can help as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. A gastroenterologist can work with you to develop a plan that addresses your unique health needs and symptoms.
Our team in the Driscoll Family Digestive Health Centre and the global research community are driving discovery and exploring new treatment options. I hope that people with IBS can feel optimistic that new options to help them function better will be developed.
When to see a doctor
If you have been experiencing changes to your bowel movements or stool, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, fatigue or other symptoms you’re worried about, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider. Embarrassment can prevent people from talking about their symptoms, even to their doctors – sometimes for years.
Talking to your doctor is the first step to getting a diagnosis and support. Help is available, and there are many things we can do to help you manage symptoms and get back to the life you enjoy.
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