Three out of four people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report abdominal pain as one of their predominant symptoms. This pain, according IBS patients, is the primary factor in their condition being seen as severe. So, it is important to understand and manage long-term IBS-related pain.
The difference between IBS-related pain and chronic pain caused by other ailments or conditions, is its variable nature. This pain is unpleasant, often emotional due to the sheer number of nerve cells in the abdomen, and intense. It varies between bloating from constipation to diarrhea, both of which have their own types of pain.
A quick introduction to IBS
IBS is a chronic, long-term, condition with variable degrees of severity and varying symptoms. As the body changes so does the nature of the problem. At its most basic, IBS causes long-term discomfort in the bowel area including diarrhea and constipation.
Factors which affect IBS include dietary factors and emotional factors. This condition is especially prominent in people on the autism spectrum and may be a part of their body’s overreaction to stimuli and external information, not to mention increased levels of emotional distress.
Symptoms include:
- Excess gas
- Rectal mucus
- Bloated or swollen abdomen
- Sudden, urgent needs to go to the bathroom
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Changing bowel habits
- Not feeling empty after going to the bathroom
In addition to this, there may be other symptoms:
- Long term fatigue
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Bad breath
- Frequent urination
- Sexual dysfunction and pain (especially in women)
- Irregular menses
- Anxiety
- Depression
Diet related coping mechanisms
They key to understanding IBS is understanding its causes. These do in fact vary from person to person which can complicate matters. For example, some people will require increased fiber to reduce pain and improve bowel movements whereas others may need less.
In terms of advice, it is best to work with your doctor or a nutritionist who can work with you to determine what food products are causing the issue. For example, flatulence promoting foods do not help – sodas, beans, brussel sprouts, bagels, onions etc…
However, it might be dairy products or sugar free gum doing it. For others it might be caffeine products or other kinds of food intolerances. Keep a food diary and link it to your stomach – pay attention to bloating, pain, and bowel movements.
Are low-carb diets a solution?
Low carb diets including the ketogenic diet were first developed to help epilepsy sufferers, but small-scale studies are demonstrating that they may help relieve some of the symptoms of IBS too. This is especially seen in IBS sufferers with diarrhea issues.
Again, discuss this with your doctor first. A low-carb diet such as the ketogenic diet has pros and it has cons. You’ll need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and keep track of your health. This will include using a ketone blood meter to check your ketone levels. This is especially the case if you experience nausea, flu like symptoms, have a dry mouth, are pregnant, diagnosed with diabetes, have fruity breath or suffer brain fog.
IBS pain management
Sadly, IBS is currently impossible to solve. This means that the variable nature of IBS pain will be long-term. However, it can be managed. As mentioned above, diet is key. Cook homemade meals with fresh ingredients, find ways to relax, get plenty of exercise, and try probiotics.
Make sure you eat in the right manner. Do so consistently and do not skip meals. Avoid alcohol and fizzy/soda drinks and reduce caffeinated drinks to 3 or less. There are some medicines which can reduce bloating and cramps, and others which can ease diarrhea. Talk to your doctor or physician before using them.
by Chrissy Phillips
