Life with IBS can suck! (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Member Name: nixtee

Product:	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Date:	22/09/08 (248 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I can't think of any!

Disadvantages: The symptoms and the interuption to your life!

I'm sat here writing this with a gurgling stomach. It's not that I'm hungry, it's just that on a not-so-good day my digestive system gurgles more than a witches boiling cauldron. It's embarrassing as hell when you're at work or with friends! Such is life with IBS.

IBS (or Irritable Bowel Syndrome) isn't one of those things you can easily discuss with anyone. I mean, who really wants to know about your bowel habits?! Still, work want to know why you weren't in work on a particular day and "bad stomach" is usually the answer.

IBS affects the digestive system and is a common condition. The main symptoms include abdominal pain (stomach ache) and discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Other symptoms are feeling sick, backache, feeling tired, headaches and bladder symptoms.

You can have long periods of symptoms and at other times you can long periods of feeling fine.

There isn't a cure for IBS (in fact, the diagnosis of it it often made after ruling out other infections, diseases, intolerances and allergies). However, sufferers of IBS can help themselves. Being active and exercising regularly helps. I went on a 4 day weekend to Belgium & France last year where we were constantly on the move and I didn't have to worry about my IBS once. I felt fine (until one even meal which included spice)! Changing your diet can help too. Cut out spicey foods, eat at regular intervals, cut down on fizzy drinks, milk products, alcohol and coffee, and cut down on oily and fried foods. Try to reduce stress and also take time to relax.

I'm not one for taking pills etc, unless I have to. Obviously, anti-diarrhoea medication will stop diarrheoa and a gentle laxative will help constipation. However, I tend to easily go from diarrheoa to constipation so I tend to stay clear of anti-diarroea medication and laxatives!

Whatever you do, don't self-diagnose IBS. There are a number of other things your symptoms could relate to, some of which could be a lot worse and lif-changing than IBS! If you are getting IBS related symptoms then make an appointment to see your doctor and don't put it off. It may be embarrassing for you, but doctors have to deal with all manner of embarrassing medical complains and will be able to help you. Similar symptoms are seen in conditions such as celiac disease, food intolerances, iron-deficiancy anemia, Crohn's disease, bowel cancer... to name a few, but tests can often rule these out. With things such as food intolerances, often a change in diet will stop the symptoms. Just don't be pestered by your symptoms, get them sorted ASAP.

Summary: Irritating!