IBS: Triggers and Treatment Summarized

Author: Chantelle van der Merwe 

Registered Dietitian eager to help bring long term digestive relief to IBS sufferers with proven methods. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by a group of symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and altered bowel habits. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of factors that include changes in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, inflammation, and psychosocial factors. Women are up to two times more likely than men to develop IBS.
In this article, we will discuss the triggers and treatment options for IBS that dietitians can use to help their patients manage this condition.
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TRIGGERS

• Several factors can trigger IBS symptoms in patients, and these can vary from person to person. Some of the common triggers of IBS include:
• Food: Certain foods and drinks can trigger IBS symptoms, including caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, fatty foods, spicy foods, and dairy products.
• Stress: Stress can increase the sensitivity of the gut and affect gut motility, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can trigger IBS symptoms in some women. This is because hormones can affect gut motility and sensitivity.
• Medications: Certain medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can trigger IBS symptoms in some people.

TREATMENT
The treatment options for IBS aim to manage the symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. These treatment options include:

• Lifestyle modifications: Patients can make certain lifestyle changes to manage their IBS symptoms. These include eating a healthy diet, avoiding trigger foods, staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and managing stress. Your diet MUST be individualized for you by a registered dietitian. IBS dietary management is NOT a "one size fits all" plan. 
• OTC medications: Over-the-counter medications such as laxatives, antidiarrheals, and antispasmodics can help manage IBS symptoms. Laxatives can help with constipation, while antidiarrheals can help with diarrhea. Antispasmodics can help relieve abdominal pain and cramping. Ideally medications should be used short term in acute phases for relief and not as a permanent solution.  Your lifestyle adjustments need to be effective for long term treatment. 
• Prescription medications: Dietitians can also refer patients to their healthcare provider to prescribe medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and lubiprostone to manage IBS symptoms. Tricyclic antidepressants can help with abdominal pain, while SSRIs can help with depression and anxiety associated with IBS. Lubiprostone can help relieve constipation.
• Probiotic supplements: Probiotics have also proven beneficial in IBS patients by slowing down the transit time of the colon, reducing the average number of bowel movements per day, improving stool consistency, overall symptoms, and above all, the quality of life in these patients. 
• Psychological therapies: Some patients may benefit from psychological therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy to manage their IBS symptoms. These therapies can help patients learn coping strategies and manage stress.

Registered dietitians play a vital role in helping their patients manage this condition by educating them about the triggers and treatment options for IBS. By working together with their patients, dietitians can help improve their symptoms and quality of life.