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Irritable bowel syndrome – in this case, the diet can improve the patient’s comfort in the case of bowel movement disorders combined with pain and / or flatulence.
What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disease of the gastrointestinal tract that presents with impaired bowel movements often accompanied by abdominal pain and / or distension that resolves completely or partially after defecation.
According to most epidemiological studies, 12% to 20% of the adult population suffers from this disease, and it is more common in women than in men. The greatest incidence occurs in people in the 3rd and 4th decade of life.
The exact causes of the formation of IBS are not yet known, but several factors that may influence its development are mentioned: a history of digestive system infection, intestinal motility disorders, disorders of the intestinal nervous system, nutritional factors, psychogenic factors, and genetic factors.
Irritable bowel syndrome – symptoms
Symptoms of IBS vary greatly from person to person. However, there are 3 main forms of this disease. This division is mainly related to the rhythm of bowel movements and includes: constipation, diarrhea and mixed (diarrheal-constipated). All of them are usually accompanied by abdominal pain, crushing and swelling, abdominal discomfort, flatulence, gas. Similar symptoms occur in many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For this reason, proper diagnosis is important to help detect IBD in a patient and initiate appropriate therapy.
Irritable bowel syndrome – diet or medications?
Since the etiology of IBS is not fully known, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is mainly based on removing or alleviating existing symptoms. However, this does not lead to complete recovery. Sometimes medications that modify intestinal peristalsis are used, but it should be remembered that they should only be taken after consulting a doctor. Irritable bowel syndrome – the diet in this case brings much better results.
Irritable bowel syndrome – elimination diet
Diet is often the most effective treatment for IBS. It is based mainly on the elimination of nutrients that aggravate ailments from the daily menu. Although there is no universal diet that could be recommended to all people suffering from this disease, there are some general principles of dietary management.
This should be avoided:
First of all, you should avoid products that smoke such as. These include, for example: onion, garlic, corn, potatoes, eggs, cabbage, legume seeds (beans, broad beans, peas), peppers, nuts, sweets, and chocolate. Sometimes, eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables, and grain bran can also contribute to the formation of excess intestinal gas. If irritable bowel syndrome is associated with hypersensitivity to lactose (milk sugar), it is important to limit the consumption of dairy products. In this case, fermented milk drinks are then better tolerated. It is also inadvisable to eat fatty meat and cold cuts (giblets, pates, canned meat, pork, fatty beef, goose, duck). These products can cause stomach pain immediately after eating a meal. Also, hard to digest animal fats, especially fried ones, are not well tolerated; on the other hand, butter and vegetable oils are well tolerated.
Irritable bowel syndrome – the diet in this case also requires the elimination of coffee and strong tea, due to the irritating substances contained in them. Products containing sorbitol and fructose are also not recommended, e.g. carbonated drinks and chewing gum. Alcoholic beverages are also forbidden because they irritate the digestive tract. In addition, meals should be small but eaten frequently and regularly. Depending on the form of the disease, the diet may be subject to some specific modifications.
Irritable bowel syndrome – constipation-based diet
In the case of constipation, it is recommended to follow a high-fiber diet. If you do not experience abdominal pain and gas, eat 30-50 g of fiber daily to stimulate intestinal peristalsis. Its main source is dark bread (wholemeal, graham), buckwheat and barley groats, cereals, bran, muesli and raw vegetables and fruits. Adequate fluid intake is very important in a high-fiber diet, which should be at least 2 liters a day.
Not all diets are healthy and safe for our body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any diet, even if you do not have any health concerns. When choosing a diet, never follow the current fashion. Remember that some diets, incl. low in specific nutrients or strongly limiting calories, and mono-diets can be devastating for the body, carry a risk of eating disorders, and may also increase appetite, contributing to a quick return to the former weight.
Irritable bowel syndrome – a diet in the form of diarrhea
In the case of diarrhea, a diet with a limited amount of fiber is recommended. It is based on refined cereal products, i.e. light (wheat) bread, white rice, pasta. All of these foods contain fiber in small amounts. The amount of fluids you drink should depend on the severity of diarrhea, that is, the degree of hydration in your body.
Diet with irritable bowel syndrome is very individual, therefore the above recommendations should be applied according to the type of symptoms and their duration. One should also not forget about increased physical activity and avoiding stressful situations.
Text: mgr inż. Magdalena Siuba – dietitian
Nationwide Dietetics Center of the Food and Nutrition Institute