Easing Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Information on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an intestinal disorder that is estimated to affect one in five Americans.

In 1994, Dan Collins had just landed a new public relations job and was charged with creating a documentary on the history of Thornton, Colo., when he was struck by severe abdominal pain, seemingly out of the blue.

“It was a summer day, (I was) in my office and the pain just started creeping up on me,” recalls Collins, who was 31 at the time. He went to see a doctor immediately and soon afterward was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an intestinal disorder that is estimated to affect one in five Americans.

Unlike Collins, many people who have IBS—sometimes called “spastic colon”—may suffer for years before being diagnosed. Sometimes they are reluctant to seek medical care or talk about their symptoms, which may include frequent bouts of diarrhea and constipation, abdominal cramping, bloating and gas.

Gut reaction
The disorder often strikes people before the age of 35 and occurs more often in women than in men. No one knows exactly what causes IBS, but stress and certain foods seem to bring on episodes in susceptible individuals.

When a person has IBS, their intestinal tract is overly sensitive, explains Dr. Deepa A. Vasudevan, an assistant professor of family medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. “The muscles in the gut move faster or slower as a reaction to a food or sometimes a stress trigger,” she says.

In Collins’ case, stress was a factor. “I was under a lot of pressure at that time both professionally and personally,” recalls Collins, who now is 45 and lives and works in Baltimore. No definitive test exists to diagnose IBS, but tests can be done to rule out other gastrointestinal problems. Doctors typically diagnose the condition based on the presence of telltale symptoms along with the absence of more serious symptoms, such as blood in the stool and dramatic weight loss.

IBS is not life-threatening, but it certainly can reduce a person’s quality of life. “The symptoms can be quite disabling and often people can’t function at work,” says Dr. Gregory Sayuk, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at Washington University in St. Louis.

For some people, making simple diet and lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms. Reducing stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques, eating a healthful diet, and avoiding problem foods can help control IBS.

Taking medication to control diarrhea and constipation also may help. Doctors sometimes prescribe other medications as well. Antispasmodic drugs, for example, can stop spasms and help control pain, and some antidepressants also can relieve pain; these drugs may worsen constipation, however. If you have IBS, talk with your doctor to find out which treatment options are best for you.

Coping with IBS
The following steps may help control IBS symptoms:

Identify and avoid trigger foods. “Everyone has different IBS triggers, but cheese, red wine and nuts are some of the more common ones,” Vasudevan says. Other common triggers include caffeine and carbonated beverages. Determine your personal triggers by keeping a food journal for about a week or two, Vasudevan suggests. “This will help you determine what foods to avoid,” she says. “In general, a healthier way of eating that includes avoiding fats and fried foods will improve symptoms,” Sayuk notes.

Stay hydrated. Drinking adequate amounts of water aids digestion. It also prevents dehydration, which can trigger an IBS attack, Vasudevan says. Aim for at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

Get enough fiber. “Fiber gives bulk to the stool, which helps relieve constipation and diarrhea,” Vasudevan says. Aim for 30 to 35 grams of soluble or insoluble fiber each day. Choose whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables (as long as they are not some of your trigger foods). Doctors sometimes recommend fiber supplements, as well, to help ease IBS symptoms.

Manage stress. “Stress, on its own, can bring on an IBS attack, and when we are stressed, we make poor food choices that can also aggravate IBS,” says Dr. Robynne Chutkan, assistant professor of gastroenterology at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and founder of the Digestive Center for Women in Chevy Chase, Md. “Learning deep breathing, meditation, yoga or guided imagery can help reduce stress and relieve IBS symptoms.”

Collins started taking walks every day to reduce his stress level. “Anything to give me a chance to take a deep breath and take the pressure off helped,” he says.

Get moving. Exercise helps reduce stress and encourages bowel movements, Chutkan says. “People with IBS almost always feel better after a bowel movement, and being sedentary slows the movement of contents through the digestive tract,” she explains. “Exercise encourages wave-like contractions that move waste through the digestive tract.” Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week.

Consider probiotics. Some research shows that certain probiotics—good bacteria naturally found in the gut—may help alleviate IBS symptoms. When the bad bacteria outnumber the good, digestive problems, including IBS, can occur. Probiotics can be found in some yogurts, cottage cheese and other foods, and also are available as supplements. “Probiotics can be really helpful for certain IBS symptoms,” Chutkan says.

Stay positive. An optimistic attitude can help, too. “Depression will make everything hurt more and you will have an exaggerated response to anything going on in your body if you are depressed and have IBS,” Chutkan says. Collins, who has been symptom-free since 2001, agrees. “You need to have a positive attitude and not give up hope, because lots of things can help,” he says.

“If anything changes or your symptoms worsen, see your doctor,” Chutkan advises, “and make sure to check in with him or her at least once a year even if your symptoms are under control.”

Story by Denise Mann of New York City.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article