This month (April 2020) is IBS Awareness Month. But what is IBS, are you affected by it and how can you treat It?
IBS can be triggered by food, stress and anxiety.
Symptoms include stomach distension/ bloating, cramping, constipation and diahorrea.
Less than 50% of people with symptoms seek help.
If you suffer from these symptoms you should contact your GP who will check for celiac disease and other possible diagnoses too.
Once IBS is diagnosed the next step is to understand what causes it.
- If it’s a dietary reason causing your IBS you may have been advised to follow a low fodmap diet with the help of a qualified dietician.
What are Fodmaps? Fodmaps are a group of sugars that are not completely digested or absorbed in our intestines - FODMAP stands for fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols.
They can trigger symptoms like bloating and intestinal pain in people with IBS
What kind of foods are high FODMAP ?
Milk, dairy products , meat, poultry and sweeteners are among the list of high Fodmap ingredients so these foods may trigger IBS. Other common foods include wheat and onions.
By removing fodmap foods from your diet it may help alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of IBS.
Around 3/4 of people how follow a low fodmap diet feel benefits.
This blog is for general information only please Consult the relevant healthcare professionals for any aspect of health and nutrition of concern. All information on this blog is used at the reader’s own risk. The author has made every effort to verify the information and reserves the right to change the information. The author will not be held liable for any actions arising from the contents of this blog.