Beyond the Stomach Ache: Unraveling the Mysteries of IBS

It’s tough to get through life without a few stomach aches — even eating your favorite food too quickly (or having too much of it) can lead to temporary indigestion and stomach pain.

What is less temporary when it comes to abdominal pain is irritable bowel syndrome, or very common IBS — IBS affects up to 10% of the world’s population, including up to 45 million Americans.

Digestive issues like IBS can be complex and tricky to identify, which is where the team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care comes in. We have considerable experience with gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including helping patients navigate IBS. Here’s what we want you to know.

What is IBS?

There’s good news and bad news about IBS. First, the condition doesn’t lead to damage in your digestive tract, nor does it raise your risk of colon cancer like some GI issues, which is very good news.

The less good news is that we still haven’t identified the exact cause of IBS, but we believe it’s a neurogastrointestinal disorder involving the gut-brain connection. 

We also know that it affects up to twice as many women as men, and some of this gender difference is due to hormonal fluctuations in women that can affect digestion and the gut biome. That said, please note that IBS can affect anyone at any age, even young kids.

IBS — a long way from a simple stomach ache

While abdominal pain is one of the hallmarks of IBS, the condition is a long way from a stomach ache.

Whenever a health condition has the term syndrome, it means that it involves a constellation of symptoms. With IBS, these symptoms can include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping, especially as your bowel fills
• Gas and bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• A mixture of diarrhea and constipation
• A feeling like you can’t empty your bowel when you defecate

In many cases, people deal with constant symptoms of IBS while others experience flare-ups that are triggered by certain foods or stress levels.

Managing IBS and reducing abdominal discomfort

Since we haven’t identified the exact cause of IBS, there is no single cure. That said, we have learned how to better manage this common condition with:

Medications

To manage symptoms, we can prescribe medications such as antispasmodics that calm your colon.

Changes in diet

One of the most effective ways to address IBS is through your diet. People with IBS often benefit from a high-fiber diet, which helps your body expel waste more efficiently.

Aside from fiber, we also find that many people with IBS benefit from avoiding gluten, which is a common trigger for gut inflammation.

Another food group to watch out for is dairy — many people with IBS are lactose intolerant.

Lastly, people with IBS should avoid foods and drinks that promote gassiness, such as carbonated sodas or beans.

Stress management

One of the bigger triggers for IBS is stress. We’re learning a lot about how stress can affect the gut-brain connection, and the influence is real. 

Looking at it from another direction, many of our patients have found relief from IBS symptoms by better managing stress.

Antidepressants

IBS often accompanies mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. As a result, some patients respond well to antidepressants.

Exercise

This is extremely important for keeping your digestive tract moving. So, if you have IBS, we will likely recommend that you exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Even better, a short walk after each meal is a great way to keep food moving.

As you can see, there are plenty of options for managing IBS, and our team will work with you until we find the right combination.

For more information about IBS and how to treat this common GI problem, please contact our Chicago clinic today, which is conveniently located in The Loop, to schedule an appointment.