Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects around 11% of adults worldwide.
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Excess gas
Bloating
Sudden, urgent need to use the bathroom
Changing bowel habits.
While relatively common, IBS is often misunderstood. To help us dispel some prevalent myths about this condition.

We know what causes IBS
Dairy products and spicy foods are examples of foods that may cause symptoms, but they are not the cause of the illness. However, he pointed out that bacteria like Campylobacter jejuni can cause post-infectious IBS.

Stress causes IBS
Recent studies have revealed that mental stress levels affect the makeup of gut bacteria and are crucial in IBS through the gut-brain axis. Dr. However, according to Farhadi, stress levels are typically comparable for those who have IBS and those who do not, suggesting that stress management practices may have a greater impact on an individual’s likelihood of developing IBS symptoms than stress levels alone. I discussed a study in my book on IBS that revealed an increase in mast cells in the gut of a stressed-out individual. He clarified that stress alters the gut’s morphology to make it more susceptible to stress, in addition to increasing the release of hormones and mediators in the gut.

This implies that your gut does not function the same as it did before you went through that stressful time. Stress-related IBS symptoms can therefore persist after the stress has subsided. Furthermore, he noted that IBS patients frequently experience this. Dr. Farhadi also shared the results of a study he did, which indicated a correlation between fewer IBS symptoms and a subjective sense of well-being. IBS symptoms may also be influenced by psychological, social, and genetic factors, according to earlier research.

Doctors only diagnose IBS via ‘fancy tests’
Dr. Farhadi informed us that a simple diagnostic test can identify IBS. In five years, physicians can diagnose IBS with 97 percent accuracy if the proper clinical criteria are followed. That level of accuracy is unmatched in the medical field by any other test. The Rome IV criteria is used to diagnose IBS. According to Dr. Jackson, patients with IBS should experience symptoms of abdominal pain at least once a week on average, along with a change in the frequency or form of their stools and/or a decrease in or worsening of their abdominal pain after defecating. IBS comes in different varieties; you might primarily experience constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. Bloating is another common symptom among patients, but she noted that this symptom is not necessary for the diagnosis to be made.

IBS is curable
IBS can be treated in a variety of ways, utilizing a combination of prescription drugs and individualized lifestyle modifications. Dr. Farhadi stated, “I can assure you that in the vast majority of cases, management is very cheap and simple: fiber, probiotics, reassurance, and exercise.”. As Dr. Farhadi puts it, taking medication can be a trial-and-error process. However, when combined with other treatments, it can help reduce the symptoms brought on by IBS. Dr. Dot Farhadi pointed out that there is ultimately no treatment for IBS, and that sometimes medication is just like a band-aid solution for symptom relief. I have to fill prescriptions for drugs again, such as antibiotics to treat bacterial overgrowth. In the end, IBS cannot be cured.

IBS is uncommon, does not affect the quality of life
According to Dr. Jackson, IBS is frequently a chronic, crippling, and widespread disorder of the gut-brain interaction. She noted that it is 10–15% common in North America and that higher healthcare expenses are linked to it. It can also have a major negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. IBS patients stated in one study that they would forgo 10–15 years of their life expectancy in exchange for an immediate cure, highlighting the detrimental effects of the illness.

All types of exercise help IBS
Exercise does help with IBS in some cases, according to Dr. Farhadi, but not all forms of exercise are the same. Exercise that is competitive causes stress rather than reducing it. He pointed out that the same is true for weightlifting in the gym: you need to be extremely aware of the type of weight you’re lifting as well as the way you’re pushing and pulling on different muscles. Additionally, he mentioned that after running for extended periods, many runners experience diarrhea, or “runner’s run.”. He cautioned that as a result, extended running sessions may exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Meditation helps
Research is ongoing, but some studies point to meditation as a potential treatment for IBS symptoms. According to Dr. Jackson, research on the brain-gut-microbiome axis and its connection to IBS is still ongoing. It has been demonstrated that gut-directed psychotherapies help reduce IBS symptoms. She also mentioned that research on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation has demonstrated how the brain’s ability to regulate how we perceive and interpret signals from our gut may help alleviate the symptoms of IBS. That being said, individuals may benefit from different forms of meditation in different ways.

Dr. Farhadi suggests mindless meditation, which involves walking the same route for 30 minutes a day until one becomes so bored that they stop observing their surroundings, though it might not be effective for everyone. That’s a contemplative stroll where you both meditate. Rebooting your system is a stress reliever. But a lot of practice is required. According to him, after a year, you might spend one minute of the fifteen you’re attempting to be in that zone.

Cutting out lactose helps
There is no clear correlation between lactose intolerance and IBS, even though many IBS patients report having a milk intolerance, according to a recent review. It is conceivable that someone with IBS may also be lactose intolerant, given that approximately two-thirds of the world’s population is intolerant to lactose. This suggests that avoiding dairy products could aid in the relief of gastrointestinal complaints.

According to Dr. Jackson, many IBS patients try to reduce their symptoms by avoiding particular foods because they believe that eating causes their symptoms. To identify trigger foods, an elimination diet entails cutting out some foods from your regular diet and then gradually adding them back. The low-FODMAPS diet has been researched the most for IBS. FODMAP foods may cause patients with IBS to experience increased gas and distension as well as the onset of symptoms related to meals. She clarified that although dairy is a high FODMAP food and maybe a trigger for some people, it is not always the case. A gastrointestinal dietician, if one is available, can assist you in navigating the often confusing world of food options.

Natural treatments work for IBS
There has been some indication that using natural remedies like cardamom and peppermint oil can help relieve the symptoms of gastric ulcers and IBS. Natural remedies may not work for everyone, though, as there hasn’t been much research done on them. According to Dr. Farhadi, black cardamom seeds and spearmint are gut-muscle relaxants that may help with symptoms. As long as the natural remedies aren’t overly potent, people can try these and other options. He continued, “People have been using many herbal remedies for thousands of years with no problems.”. However, consulting a physician is always advised before beginning a new course of treatment.

Fasting relieves IBS
Let’s say you own an engine and it is experiencing trouble. You now switch it off. Dr. Farhadi said, “Of course, as long as it’s off, you might not have any problems, but how long can you keep it off?”. Therefore, you may experience fewer symptoms each day if you cut down on how often you eat—maybe from three to two times a day. It might be useful, but it’s not always the best course of action, he clarified. He did, however, add that fasting is beneficial for other things, like memory and weight loss.

Fiber helps IBS
Fiber may be helpful if a patient has chronic constipation, according to Dr. Farhadi. However, too much fiber can cause bloating due to an overabundance of gas in the stomach. To prevent this, Dr. Farhadi suggested ingesting fiber in the form of a spoonful of probiotic-rich Greek yogurt combined with a pinch of water-soluble fiber, or psyllium.

There is an IBS diet
According to Dr. Farhadi, there isn’t a particular diet for IBS. Diets are dynamic in addition to being personalized. While on vacation, one person might be able to consume coffee, but during finals, they might have trouble doing so. He said that just as no one diet works for everyone, no one diet works for everyone all the time.

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-ibs-myths-and-facts#12.-There-is-an-IBS-diet

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