Do you often have a stomachache, feel bloated, or have to run to the bathroom too often? Or maybe you’re sometimes constipated?
If this happens a lot, you might have something called irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS for short.
It’s a problem that affects your digestive system, particularly your large intestine, which is also called the colon.
What We Know About IBS
About 15% of people, or about 1 in 7, have IBS. That’s a lot of people! It means IBS is one of the most common problems with the digestive system. It can happen to anyone, but it seems to be more common in women.
The symptoms can change a lot, from person to person, and even from day to day.
They can be mild or severe, last a short time or a long time, and can be caused by different things like stress, certain foods, and hormonal changes. But scientists still don’t know what causes IBS, and there’s no cure yet.
The Unexpected Connection: IBS and Mental Health
You might be wondering, what does IBS have to do with how we feel? Well, recent research from the University of Missouri has found a surprising link between IBS and mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
In fact, more than a third of the people with IBS in the study also had anxiety, and over a quarter had depression. This was double the rate in people who didn’t have IBS.
The Why and How: The Brain-Gut Axis
Why would this be? The researchers believe it could be because of something called the “brain-gut axis”.
This means the brain and the gut, or stomach and intestines, talk to each other and influence each other.
So, if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it might make your IBS symptoms worse. And if your tummy is troubling you, it might make you feel more anxious or down.
The Big Picture: The Impact of IBS on Life and Health
If we don’t treat mental health problems in people with IBS, it can lead to more hospital visits and longer stays, putting a strain on healthcare systems.
It can also cause stress, difficulties at work, and financial problems for patients and their families.
Plus, it can make people’s quality of life worse, leading to unhealthy choices like smoking. Therefore, it’s important to take care of both the IBS and any mental health issues.
What Can We Do? Tips to Prevent IBS
Although there’s no known cure for IBS yet, there are ways to help prevent or lessen the symptoms. Here are some tips:
Identify and Avoid Trigger Foods: Certain foods can make IBS symptoms worse. By keeping a food diary, you can figure out which foods might be causing problems.
Manage Stress: Learning ways to relax, like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, can help.
Get Regular Exercise: Exercise can help your digestion and reduce stress.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can keep your digestive system working well.
Don’t Skip Meals: Try to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep your digestive system happy.
Quit Smoking: Smoking can make IBS symptoms worse. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit.
Talk to Your Doctor: If you have IBS symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out your triggers and come up with a plan that works for you.
Remember, everyone’s experience with IBS is different. It’s important to listen to your body, figure out what helps you, and get the help you need.
So, next time you hear your tummy grumbling, remember it’s not just about what you ate—it might also be about how you’re feeling. And taking care of your tummy can help take care of your mind, too!
If you care about wellness, please read studies about why big, strong bum muscles matter for your overall health, and Krill oil may improve muscle size and function in older people.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
The study was conducted by Yezaz Ghouri et al and is published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science.
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