What Are The Worst Foods For IBS?

How often has your upset stomach gotten in the way of a special moment or celebration. You may be suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome affects about 45 million people in the United States. Most people who suffer from IBS are women. People may develop this condition at any age although it seems to affect people younger than 50 years old. It is difficult to determine what sets of symptoms but most people can pinpoint certain foods they learn to avoid by trial and error. The Gut Authority specializes in Functional Medicine techniques that help you get your IBS symptoms under control naturally. 

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that produces a series of symptoms beginning in the large intestine. People with IBS experience alternating episodes of constipation, diarrhea, and cramping. The exact causes of this syndrome are unclear and many are unable to predict when their symptoms will flare up. People experience different symptoms and vary in levels of severity. Symptoms are as follows:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach cramping
• Bloating
• Gas 
• Abdominal pain
• Mucus without passing stool

 

Everyone with IBS is different and some have few symptoms while others experience all symptoms of IBS. Some people experience flares after eating and for others the onset seems random. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms a doctor is the only one who can diagnose you with Irritable bowel syndrome. After an IBS diagnosis, the doctor may want to perform more tests to identify which type  of IBS the patient has. 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is classified into three different categories. IBS-C is the first classification that is identified by symptoms of constipation. This type of IBS is often accompanied by bloating, gas, constipation, and pain in the stomach pain. IBS-D is the second type of Irritable bowel syndrome in which patients experience diarrhea. Most patients feel episodes of intense urgency to relieve their bowels. Diarrhea is often experienced along with cramping and stomach pains. The last condition is IBS-M/IBS-A which is made up of a combination of both diarrhea and constipation. 

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Doctors are still unsure of the causes of IBS. Research has identified possible triggers in the majority of patients. It is not uncommon for people to experience symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome after having a bacterial or viral infection. Many people who go on to develop this condition have experienced some type or trauma or illness. 

Experts theorize that Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be the result of bacterial overgrowth in the gut microbiome. The microbiome helps the immune system carry out protective functioning throughout the body. Many people also have undiagnosed food allergies and sensitivities that have the ability to alter your gut balance.  

When Are The Worst Foods For IBS?

People with IBS may also have underlying food sensitivities to certain products like dairy, gluten, or sugar. Certain foods can trigger IBS symptoms or make general symptoms even worse. Most doctors recommend that you avoid things like alcohol, spicy foods, fried foods, among the other foods previously mentioned. 

Many dieticians and doctors suggest those who suffer with these symptoms eliminate these foods and also adopt a FODMAP diet that consists of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean meats. Some other recommendations in addition to dietary changes are to consider eating small meals every few hours. Eating slowly can help the digestive process not become overburdened. By limiting the amount of coffee and tea and drinking plenty of water you can avoid some symptoms. Specials also recommend eating more protein than carbohydrates in a day. 

Contact Us Today

The Gut Authority specializes in developing relationships with patients where education and trust are at the forefront of our treatment. By coaching our patients on the effects of good health practices we help them achieve their health goals. If you need help getting your IBS symptoms under control please give us a call today. We would love to help you and are here to answer any questions you may have.