IBS is Not a Diagnosis

Jul 31

3 min read

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is not a diagnosis. It is simply a collection of symptoms with a name attached. While IBS describes a pattern of symptoms, it does not explain why those symptoms are occurring.

There are many reasons why someone may be experiencing persistent loose stools, constipation, alternating bowel motions, bloating, abdominal pain, and other digestive symptoms.

Let's discuss some of the contributing factors associated with IBS and the symptoms experienced.

IBS-D

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diarrhoea Dominant (IBS-D) is a category of IBS where a person experiences loose bowel motions. This is often in combination with abdominal pain, bloating, urgency to pass a bowel motion, and sometimes a feeling of incomplete evacuation. We also commonly see people waking up in the morning with an urgency to pass a bowel motion.

Some contributing factors may include:

Gut-brain axis dysregulation (the nervous system & gut are interconneted and the nervous system needs some support)
Stress triggering bowel motions
Gut bacteria imbalances (gut dysbiosis)
Coeliac disease
Food intolerances
Reduced fibre intake (which creates bulk in the stool)

IBS-C

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation Dominant (IBS-C) is characterised by abdominal pain, possible bloating, and frequent hard, lumpy stools. These can be difficult to pass, painful to pass, and you may not have a bowel motion every day (ideally, we want to see at least one bowel motion per day).

Causes of constipation may include:

Reduced water intake
Reduced fibre intake (fibre acts like bulk within the stool to help it move through the gastrointestinal tract)
Reduced digestive enzyme production
Reduced liver function or bile production
Reduced peristalsis (which is the muscular contractions of the gastrointestinal tract that move stool through the bowels)
Gut-brain axis dysregulation
Gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of microbes within the gut)
Coeliac disease

IBS-M or IBS-A

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Mixed (IBS-M), also known as Alternating IBS (IBS-A), is where bowel motions alternate between diarrhoea and constipation. This is also commonly associated with abdominal pain, bloating, urgency, and changes in bowel frequency.

Many of the same contributing factors seen in IBS-D and IBS-C may also play a role in IBS-M/A

What Is Ideal Bowel Motions

Ideally, we want to see bowel motions happening 1–2 times per day, feeling complete and easy to pass, medium brown in colour, with no urgency, discomfort, bloating, or pain associated.

What To Do If You Have Been Diagnosed With IBS

Don't stop at an IBS diagnosis from your GP or medical professional. Instead, search for the why behind your symptoms. Your gut symptoms are your body's way of communicating that something is out of balance.

Your gut is interconnected with your whole body. It influences mood, energy, nutrient absorption, hormones, immune function, and so much more.

Where to start:

Eat a whole-food diet (reduce processed foods)
Aim for approximately 25–38 g of fibre per day
Drink around 2–2.5 L of water daily (especially if constipated)
Slow down while eating your meals to support digestive enzyme production and the adequate breakdown of food.
Avoid watching TV, being on your phone or distracted while eating
Chew your food thoroughly to further aid digestion (15-30 chews before swallowing).
Support your nervous system, as digestion functions best when the body is in a parasympathetic state ("rest, digest & repair state")
Before eating, take three conscious, mindful breaths to help shift your body into a "rest, digest, & repair" state, allowing for better digestion and nutrient absorption.

Tailored Support For You

If you’re ready for a more personalised approach, to understand exactly what may be causing your digestive symptoms book a naturopathic consultation for tailored support designed around your unique symptoms, lifestyle & goals.