IBS – otherwise known as irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive condition that is relatively common. The extent of the problems that sufferers experience can vary. Some of the common symptoms of the illness include pain in the gut and bowel region, bloating, wind, diarrhoea and constipation. Although it is not a life-threatening illness, the problems that come with it can affect the quality of life and some people find it hard to manage.
There isn’t a definite known cause of irritable bowel syndrome. There are a range of things that can trigger it or cause it to flare up – these include certain food intolerances, imbalances in gut bacteria, stress and emotional issues – due to the connection between the gut and the brain.
To diagnose the illness, there isn’t a specific test, but it is something that is done via a process of elimination. The usual first step taken is to eliminate certain foods from the diet that could be a trigger for the symptoms worsening. Keeping a food diary helps you to notice any flare ups and whether they correlate to eating particular foods.
Another thing that many people find helpful is acupuncture. Going to a professional acupuncturist like this acupuncture Gloucester based clinic www.purelandsacu.co.uk/acupuncture-gloucester/ is something that can be helpful with managing flare ups.
Improving your lifestyle overall can also help – ensuring that you are getting enough sleep and getting exercise can benefit the whole body as well as the gut.