Living With IBS? Our 5 Tips Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Imagine never going to a movie or park because you’re afraid you won’t be able to find a bathroom when you badly need it. Visualize what your life would be like if you had to avoid some of your favorite foods—and an evening at a nice restaurant with friends would be nearly impossible.

These are some of the common struggles of those living with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). This intestinal disorder transforms every aspect of life, causing extreme stomach cramping and pain.

We know that IBS can be a debilitating illness, and that’s why we offer help that can make a huge difference for our patients. While there is no cure for IBS, certain approaches can reduce your symptoms. We don’t want you to suffer in silence. Please talk to us about any problems or IBS symptoms you are having, and we promise we’ll take time to answer all your questions.

In this article, we’ll show you five tips that can help you manage your IBS and dramatically improve the quality of your life. We’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this disease.

5 Tips That Can Help If You’re Living with IBS

1. Avoid Certain Foods, Including FODMAPs

FODMAPs are certain kinds of carbohydrates that the small intestine doesn’t absorb well. These include wheat, garlic, fruits, and onions. By adjusting your diet to avoid these, along with other foods that cause excessive gas or contain gluten.

Before starting any type of new diet or food plan, speak with us first. Improving your quality of life by eliminating foods that worsen your IBS symptoms is important, but it’s also crucial to ensure you’re still receiving sufficient nutrition. We’ll work together to find what works for you.

2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

While the relationship between insomnia and IBS still warrants further research, the medical journal Frontiers in Pharmacology revealed that if you’re genetically susceptible to insomnia, you can have an increased risk of IBS.

If you’re living with IBS, bad sleep can cause additional gastrointestinal problems.

3. Develop a Support Network

Living with IBS is difficult. It can be challenging, painful and even embarrassing at times. Facing these challenges is much easier when you have a team supporting you. This team may consist of family, close friends and your healthcare team of gastroenterologists in Raleigh.

Having a support team in place can also help alleviate stress, which can be a major contributor to IBS flare-ups.

4. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise helps by reducing bloating and improving how well your bowels function. It also helps reduce stress, which in turn keeps you from having as many IBS symptoms.

If you exercise outside or at the gym, take extra time to notice where the bathrooms are located. If you take exercise classes, take a spot in the back of the class so you can slip out easily if you need to.

5. Work Closely With Our Gastroenterologists in Raleigh and the Surrounding Areas

Don’t try to go it alone. There’s no cure for IBS, and if it’s not managed properly, it will only get worse. 

Our board-certified gastroenterologists are leaders in their field, completing fellowships at prestigious universities. But we know there’s more to quality care than awards and diplomas. That’s what sets us apart. We combine the latest treatments, state-of-the-art medicine, and compassionate care to help you take charge of your symptoms and get your life back. 

What Are the Struggles of Living With IBS?

Unpredictability is one of the greatest struggles of life with IBS. You never know when you’re going to have an extreme urge to go to the bathroom, so you may avoid public places where toilets aren’t easily available. 

It can be difficult to determine if you’ll have an attack of diarrhea or constipation, and anxiety can often make the condition worse (we explore the relationship between IBS and anxiety later in this article).

Frequently Asked Questions About IBS

We understand you have questions about IBS and how it can transform lives. Therefore, we’ve gathered some frequently asked questions to address your concerns. 

Can People With IBS Live A Normal Life?

If those living with IBS get timely and effective treatment, they can go about their regular activities without worry. However, the disease does require that they have regular appointments with their gastroenterologist in Raleigh.

Without treatment, life can be very challenging.

How Do People With IBS Cope?

Getting timely treatment is the best way for people to cope with IBS. Because there is no cure for IBS, the illness must be managed. 

Some ways people cope with living with IBS include:

• Eating smaller meals
• Exercising
• Avoiding foods that trigger IBS symptoms
• Remain hydrated
• Eat healthy meals with fresh, natural ingredients
• Avoiding foods that trigger gas, such as beans and broccoli

How Debilitating Is IBS?

Without help, IBS can be very debilitating. It causes intense physical symptoms such as:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Cramping
• Constipation
• Diarrhea 

Is There a Connection Between IBS and Mental Health?

IBS can also affect your mental health. According to one study, one-third of those with IBS also have signs of anxiety or depression, and treating psychological issues is necessary to help maintain quality of life. 

A study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine showed that out of 1.2 million hospitalizations due to IBS, more than 27% reported depression and 38% had anxiety. This is roughly double the rate of that found in those without IBS. 

However, it’s not as simple as cause-and-effect. Because of the connection between the brain and the gut, IBS symptoms can influence anxiety, and mental health factors can also cause IBS symptoms

RMG Gastroenterology Helps Those Living With IBS Improve The Quality of Their Lives

Dealing with IBS is not easy. In fact, some are embarrassed to talk about it. But there is hope and help through our board-certified gastroenterologists near you. With our multiple office locations, there’s one close to you that can offer the level of care you need to live a more fulfilling life. 

Don’t let IBS keep you from the activities you used to enjoy. Schedule an appointment with one of our leading gastroenterologists who are ready to help.