T
aking care of our gut is important for
everyone, especially when it can
make life very uncomfortable. So gut
friendly foods are an option to consider when
looking for a natural solution. In 2016 a clinical
trial found that by avoiding certain foods,
more than half of IBS patients had significant
improvement in abdominal pain. The culprits
are poorly absorbed, hard-to-digest carbs,
commonly known as FODMAPs. These
carbohydrates ferment in the gut, causing
symptoms of gas, bloating, cramping and
diarrhoea or constipation. Among the
major ofenders are apples, pears, cauliflower,
garlic, onions, wheat (in large amounts) and
beans, but it’s not a DIY diet. Managing a
low FODMAP diet should only be done in
consultation with an Accredited Practising
Dietitian trained in the FODMAP diet. PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGESAn ‘upset’ tummy may be the polite way of describing irritable
bowel syndrome but it doesn’t begin to touch upon the pain and
discomfort sufferers can experience. There may not be a cure,
but research is working on ways to deal with symptomsBY RICHARD LALIBERTEA
common gastrointestinal
disorder, irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) usually
appears in one of three forms: one
that gives you diarrhoea, one that
tends to cause constipation, and
one that’s a mix of both. The
diferent types of IBS share other
symptoms, such as passing wind,
abdominal pain and stomach
bloating. Although the exact cause
is not known, several factors
are thought to be responsible,
including muscle contractionsthat are too slow, fast or
spasmodic, and glitches in the
nerves that transmit signals
between the gut and the brain.
Environmental changes and
stress can also trigger an
attack. Research ofers another
explanation: IBS can develop when
segments of the small intestine
become overgrown with
unhealthy bacteria. This thinking
adds new therapies to the list of
ways to get your gastrointestinal
tract back on track.Tried and true
MANAGEMENT
Once you have consulted a
doctor and established that
you are suffering from IBS,
there are a number of ways
you may choose to manage your
symptoms: c h a ng i ng you r
lifestyle (for example,
establishing new eating
routines as well as figuring out
ways to avoid stress); reviewing
any medication you take that
may aggravate the condition;
amending your diet by doing
things such as increasing
dietary fibre and f luids as well
as determining what foods
trigger an attack and limiting
their consumption.PROBLEM SOLVED:
irritable bowel
syndrome
1 in 5
Proportion
of adults who
experience
IBS at some
time — it’s twice
as common in
women as men24 PREVENTIONAUS.COM.AU