According to NHS statistics, there are around 6 million people suffering with IBS in the UK. This figure of course only represents the people who have sought help from their GP therefore the overall figure will be way beyond.
IBS is an umbrella term so symptoms range from bloating to constipation and embarrassing wind. I could write about this for hours as it’s a favourite topic of mine but I’ll keep it short and sweet. From my time working as a nutritionist it’s clear that getting to the bottom of the matter is crucial. There is no over-night cure and symptoms often need to be managed rather than completely resolved. All IBS sufferers have their own individual reason for their symptoms, but here are a few general tips:
Don’t suffer in silence! Visit your GP to rule out any under-lying causes
Keep a food diary to identify possible triggers, consider a Food Intolerance Test if you suspect foods to trigger symptoms
Avoid excluding vast lists of foods without the right support or you may end up with nutrient deficiences
Chew your food well (sounds fundamental but is often over-looked)
Consider that stress may exacerbate your symptoms and avoid eating when stressed
Visit a qualified Nutrition Consultant in order to look at your individual causative factors
Don’t just give up and live with it, there is usually a way to reduce these annoying issues so get some expert help!
I'm offering a 10% discount on the Lorisian Food Intolerance test during May so do get in touch!