What should I eat for a healthy gut?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Treatment in London. Don’t suffer in silence. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is thought to affect 10-20% of people in the UK.
Whether your IBS symptoms are recent, or you have been suffering for a long time, specialist healthcare is available to help reduce, or relieve the pain and discomfort you are experiencing. Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the first step to getting your health back on track, as well as ruling out other gastroenterological conditions in the process, where similar symptoms apply.
Irritable bowel symptoms
IBS symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms are known to come in bouts, also referred to as IBS flare-ups, meaning sometimes you may feel fine for weeks, followed by a period of feeling unwell.
Generally, symptoms include:
- Bloating, which feels uncomfortable and swollen
- Excessive wind
- An urgent need to go to the toilet, and a sense of relief afterwards
- Abdominal pain and cramps, that feel like your stomach is contracting
- Change in bowel habits, from constipation to diarrhoea, or a combination of both
- Hard or loose stools on a regular basis
- Passing clear or white mucus in your stools
- Feeling low of energy
- Feeling of nausea
These symptoms can also leave you feeling unwell in general and wider issues can arise, such as:
- Feeling low of energy, due to lack of nutrient absorption, or just from managing symptoms
- Feeling of nausea
- Backache
- Frequent urination, and need to pee urgently, or incontinence
- Painful sex
What causes IBS?
The cause of IBS is still largely unknown although research into areas such as bile acids, gut microbes, nerves and diet is ongoing.
People that suffer with IBS commonly have bouts of diarrhoea and constipation.
Diarrhoea is generally caused when food moves too quickly through your digestive tract and results in the liquid from food not being extracted sufficiently by the body.
Other thoughts relate to:
- Increased sensitivity of the gut
- Stress
- Certain food and drinks that trigger symptoms
Consultation with a specialist that can conduct the necessary diagnosis tests is the first step. The reverse happens with constipation, in that the food moves slowly through the digestive system, and in turn, too much liquid is extracted making stools too hard.
Consultation with a specialist, who can conduct the necessary diagnostic tests, is the first step to better understanding your symptoms.
IBS diagnosis
Like many gastrointestinal conditions, IBS can be treated successfully following diagnosis.
Your specialist will conduct a consultation, examination and direct test of stool, blood, endoscopy or X-rays.
During diagnosis, it is important for the doctor to eliminate the possibility of other conditions with similar symptoms. These could include:
- Coeliac disease– an intolerance to gluten
- Other food intolerances
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- Bowel cancer
IBS treatment
IBS treatment is directed towards your symptoms and their potential triggers. For mild cases a simple change in lifestyle, diet and eating habits can help to eliminate pain and discomfort.
Treatments may include:
Life style changes, such as:
- Change in diet to ensure the correct level and type of fibre intake
- Change in eating habits
- Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing stress levels
Medication, including:
- Antispasmodics, to reduce stomach cramping
- Laxatives, to ease constipation
- Medicines, to help with diarrhoea
- Probiotics
There isn’t a one-size fit all with IBS treatment. It is a case of working with your doctor and a registered dietician to find the solution that works best for you.
Our specialists in this area
Your health is our goal
Whether your gastrointestinal symptoms started recently or are long-standing, our specialists can help diagnose and manage your condition. Please contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist team. A consultation with a specialist to discuss the necessary diagnostic tests is the first step.