Daily Strength is a website that provides patients with a place to share stories and information about their medical conditions and the treatments that have helped. The website features a review section for treatments. Of the 1,115 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who've rated "Avoid Certain Foods/Chemicals" as a treatment method, 91% report that it has helped manage their symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a difficult condition to diagnose and treat because its cause is not known. It presents differently in different individuals, usually involving a back-and-forth between constipation and diarrhea, although some with the condition experience one more frequently than the other. It is also associated with other, less remote symptoms such as back pain.
When the digestive tract is involved, it is reasonable to turn to your diet even if the exact mechanisms of dysfunction aren't understood. A perusal of Daily Strength reviewers' comments shows that many of these IBS patients fare better when they avoid the following.
Dairy
Dairy is a common IBS trigger for many people. It contains lactose, one of five carbohydrates (along with fructose, fructans, galactans and sugar alcohols) singled out in the FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet. These carbohydrates are believed to cause IBS symptoms in some individuals; by eliminating each for a trial period one at a time and then reintroducing them, you can monitor whether flare-ups and decreases in symptoms correspond with your intake of that carbohydrate.
Since many reviewers pointed to dairy as a source of complications, it may be best to start by eliminating dairy. If that doesn't work, you can move on to the other carbohydrates in the FODMAPs diet.
Gluten
Sometimes, symptoms may not be caused by a carbohydrate, but a protein: gluten. Gluten sensitivity is believed to affect 6-7% of the U.S. population; celiac disease, a more serious condition, affects about 1%.
The symptoms of gluten problems overlap with IBS: diarrhea and bloating. Gluten issues may exacerbate IBS or may actually be the root of the problem misdiagnosed as IBS. People with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease generally experience immediate relief of symptoms upon avoiding gluten (although people with prolonged celiac may have lasting intestinal damage).
Carbonated Beverages
For overall health, choosing water over soda is a good call. If you have IBS, carbonated beverages can actually make symptoms worse, as attested to by several Daily Strength reviewers.
The carbonation in soda can set up shot in your intestines. If you're having difficulty passing stool or gas, gas can get trapped, causing discomfort and pain. This logic applies to all carbonated beverages.
There is no single quick fix for all cases of IBS. Being open to dietary changes and persevering through an elimination diet may give you the information you need to alleviate symptoms. Find more information and tips from the reviewers at http://www.dailystrength.org/treatments/Diet/c104.
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