What Every IBS-D Sufferer Needs to Know: Proven Strategies for Symptom Relief

IBS and Associated Symptoms

IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterised by a strong gut-brain interaction, which makes your gut very sensitive and leads to various disorders.

IBS is mainly of 3 types:

• IBS -C IBS with constipation
• IBS -D IBS with Diarrhoea
• IBS -M IBS with mixed symptoms - Diarrhoea and constipation

IBS with Diarrhoea (IBS-D)

IBS-D is characterised by loose and watery stools resulting in dehydration, causing various complications.

Individuals with IBS-D also suffer from symptoms like:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Frequent urge to poop
• Abdominal cramps
• Gas trouble
• Poop with mucus/ Whitish looking poop

IBS is a life-long disease and is  caused by various factors like:

• Dysfunction of brain-gut axis
• Increased sensitivity of the gut nerves
• Dysfunction of the power of gut muscles 

In Individuals with IBS-D, the intestines are so sensitive that they react to even mild stimuli and show exaggerated responses, squeezing up your colon, which causes the food to pass quickly and resulting in various symptoms like cramps, gas trouble, bloating and diarrhoea. 

• IBS is usually seen between late teens and early forties, and women are found to be more affected than men.

Even though no specific therapy is found to be effective for completely curing IBS, typical treatment strategies like diet and lifestyle practices can help you manage the condition. Moreover, one of the first steps you can take forth is to completely avoid your IBS-D triggers. Let us find out how!

Tracking down the Triggers of BS- D

IBS, as we discussed earlier, is caused by various factors like dysfunction of the brain-gut axis, oversensitivity of gut nerves and abnormal gut motility. All these factors contribute to various situations in the gut  like:

• Colon contraction than it normally does
• Decreased pain tolerance
• Excess bacterial growth in the gut

So now the question is, what triggers these?

Common triggers of IBS are certain foods, medications and emotional stress.

For IBS with loose stools,

1. Food triggers include:

• Fibre-rich foods
• A heavy and spicy meal
• Carbonated drinks with artificial sweeteners
• Deep fried and fatty foods.
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Dairy products, especially in people with lactose intolerance.             

2. Stress and anxiety triggers for IBS include:

• Work stress
• Family issues
• Emotional breakdowns          

3. Medication triggers include:

• Certain antibiotics
• Antidepressants
• Sorbitol combination of laxatives

It is important to identify these red flags for effectively managing the symptoms and thereby improving the quality of life of an individual.

Coping up With IBS-D: Understanding the Effective Management Strategies

So, the first thing you must know is solve your IBS issue with a plate of food. 

The necessary dietary modifications for the effective management of IBS include:

• Eating soluble fibres in moderation like dry fruits, fruit fleshes without skin, whole wheat bread and oats can serve as good sources that add bulk to your stools.
• Avoiding mixing foods of opposite temperatures in the same meal (eg. Ice cream with barbequed meat)
• Consuming food in small portions
• Avoiding drinking a large amount of water along with food. Drink water an hour before or after having food, in sips.
• Avoiding foods that can form excess gas, like onions, broccoli, cabbages, celery, bananas and raisins.
• Avoiding caffeinated drinks, alcohol and drinks with artificial sweeteners.
• Including a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day in your meals to avoid dehydration due to diarrhoea.
• Probiotics can effectively improve the condition of loose stools: the two main groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, are found to be highly effective in assisting the immune system and improving digestive health.

Keeping a food diary can help you track down the trigger foods that can help you improve your condition by avoiding them in future.

Stress management to treat IBS effectively:

• Try to sleep for 6-7 hours a day and engage in regular exercises. Physically active individuals are seen to have better bowel movements and improved colon transit than physically inactive individuals.
• Discover ways to relax instantly, which may include turning on your favourite playlist, a little walk outdoors, gardening or reading your favourite book. Yoga helps individuals improve their bowel movements and also helps in calming down their minds by reducing anxiety and stress.
• Regular practice of pranayama and asanas can help you get control over your emotional breakdowns
• Behavioural therapies can help you to calm down your stress.
• Stay away from alcohol and tobacco. Try de-addiction therapies if needed.

Know When You Need to Consult a Healthcare Professional?

Prescription medications for IBS usually include anticholinergic drugs (medicines that work against secretions), antidepressants and certain anti-anxiety medications.

The highlight here is, following a specific treatment strategy for IBS or IBS-D is not possible, you may need to try multiple techniques, according to your gut type and that addresses your mind and body at the same time. That is why a holistic approach is the best way to deal with IBS.

Call For Help! - You Are Not Alone.

If you are someone with IBS-D and notice these alarming symptoms for more than 6 months, then it's time that you talk to your healthcare professional.

• Severe Abdominal pain/discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Mucus in stool
• Bloating that never reduces
• Upset stomach

Emergency medical care is required in situations like:

• Severe night cramps in the abdomen
• Blood in stool
• Sudden, excessive weight loss

Know How Nirva Can Help You

Nirva is a group of expert dieticians, yoga instructors and qualified holistic health professionals, who can help you plan a holistic personalised approach to manage IBS effectively.

The treatment of IBS mainly focuses on bringing down individual symptoms with a personalised treatment plans.

Book your consultations with our experts now!

Conclusion

Even though there is no permanent cure for, an effective management strategy can be developed and adapted through lifestyle and dietary modifications. Avoiding dietary and emotional triggers- tracking them down can help you improve your quality of life by avoiding them. Try Nirva's personalised treatment plans for a happier gut.