Irritable Bowel

IBS at Work

In the midst of an IBS flare-up, it is easy to think you can’t lead a normal life. “Sometimes it gets so bad, I think I’ll have to quit my job,” says Daniel (Ames, IA). But you can make it – just don’t be afraid to excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. If you do it more frequently then the average person, even in the middle of a meeting, don’t sweat it. If someone notices a prolonged visit, the worst they can do is ask if you are okay. And the worst thing you can do is to simply tell them. No big deal.

“I tell people at work I have a syndrome that makes me have to go to the bathroom a lot. They hear the word “syndrome” and get it. I don’t have to explain anymore, and usually never again,” says Janelle. Rely on people’s natural sense of compassion and professionalism.

“My wife is my best supporter,” says Rick (Madison, WI). “She knows as well as I do where the bathrooms are in the grocery store, the hardware store, and everywhere in between. She keeps me on my regular schedule of fiber and helps me monitor what I eat. If anything, this chronic irritable bowel disorder has brought us closer.”

Your close relationships are the best way for you to build a team to support you. “My mother calls me to make sure I took my medication,” says Laura (Sante Fe, NM), “because sometimes I forget when I’m been symptom free for a while. She knows how painful it is when I get lax and have a flare-up.”

Karin is a 24 year old who is terrified of the dating scene. “Everywhere I go, I’m scouting the bathroom. And when I excuse myself after meals, I’m paranoid that they think I have bulimia. But fessing up to having a bowel syndrome is almost as bad.” Maybe the first date isn’t the time to tell someone your medical history. But if you want someone who is supportive in your life, hiding it isn’t the best way to foster intimacy. Instead, when the time is right, tell them and see what kind of person you’re dating. It could be the best way to sort the princes from the frogs.

I’m sure you know all the bathrooms between here and there. But that’s just a start. Traffic can come out of nowhere, even along your most traveled routes. “I keep an emergency Port-a-Potty in the car with a towel, babywipes, and extra underwear,” says Patty (Naples, FL). “That way I can pull over if I absolutely have to and jump into the back seat.”

While you may want to forego ambitious travel that requires extensive time en route, you can opt for shorter sojourns to a resort on the beach. “I go to the beach every year with my family,” says Ken (Atlanta, GA). “We stay at a comfortable resort where I have easy access to the bathroom, in case my diarrhea rears its ugly head.”

We all go through hard times. Divorce, job loss, and bickering with those we love can cause a lot of stress. “I know hard times aren’t called that for nothing,” Caroline (Littleton, CO) says, “but when things get rough, I find I am also in physical pain from my IBS. Once I made the connection between my anxiety and my symptoms, I decided to do something about it.” Caroline enrolled in yoga, learned to meditate, and started seeing a psychologist to learn to manage her stressors. “I realized that I could control my thoughts. I can make my symptoms worse by freaking out and panicking, or I can use the practical tools I learned and relax.”

Your mind and your body are linked. Learn to use this to your advantage, rather than letting your emotions send a rampage through your bowels.

Managing your symptoms is up to you. There is ample advice for you to follow, but you know your body best, and only you can apply that advice. Try things, experiment, and pay attention to how these things make you feel. “It was when I really took charge that everything began to turn around,” Janelle says. “Not only do I have fewer flare-ups and accidents, but – most importantly — I no longer feel like a victim to IBS. My choices affect how I feel. It’s that simple.”

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder in which the nerves that control the muscles in the large intestine/colon are too active, causing it to become sensitive to food and stress.

How Common Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects 10-20% of the world’s population. Between 25 and 55 million people in the United States have IBS, which results in 2.5 to 3.5 million yearly visits to physicians. Approximately 20 to 40 percent of all visits togastroenterologists are due to IBS symptoms. It is the second only to the common cold as the most common reason for missed work.

Who Gets Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

All ages and all races experience IBS symptoms, though in general more women have it than men. Several studies have reported a lower instance of IBS among older people, but they are not conclusive.

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

The cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is unclear, unknown, and widely debated.
It is largely believed that there is a glitch in communication between the muscles of the large intestine/colon and the brain, which causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. This oversensitivity may cause ordinary events, such as the passage of food, to trigger bowel pain, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating.

What Triggers Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms?

Food sensitivity can trigger symptoms of IBS. The type of food that causes symptoms varies with the individual.

Times of stress, such as a divorce, job loss, or death of a loved one, can trigger the initial onset of IBS symptoms. Even after diagnosis, stress can continue to trigger your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? 

Irritable bowel symptoms include: abdominal pain (either sharp or gnawing pain),gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation – or both. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and vary for each person.

How is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Different from Inflammatory Bowel Disease? 

No, but the symptoms can require hospitalization in severe cases, or in cases in which diarrhea has led to extreme dehydration.

No.

Only your doctor can be sure if your symptoms are due to IBS. There is no singleirritable bowel test that can confirm or deny the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, because it is not a structural or biochemical disorder. It is usually diagnosed primarily through the absence of other explanations. Before it can be diagnosed, doctors and gastroenterologists rule out all other possible bowel problems. So if you think you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, see your doctor to be certain of the cause of your symptoms.

With the discomfort associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, millions of people are seeking easy IBS relief. But because the cause of Irritable Bowl Syndrome is unknown, there is unfortunately no known cure. Treatment methods focus on controlling the symptoms with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, including dietand stress-management.

Because over the counter Irritable Bowel Syndrome remedies have varying ingredients which will act differently in your intestines, consult your doctor or dietitian for their recommendations.

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with constipation, fiber supplements can initiate bowel movements. Some brands include Metamucil, Equalactin, and Benefiber. ForIrritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea, antidiarreal remedies can bind your stool. Some brands include Imodium, Maalox, Kaopectate, and Pepto-Bismol.

There is no single medication for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the approach is to find the right combination for you of medications for irritable bowel.

Antispasmodic medications can suppress muscle contraction in the stomach and intestine, in effect controlling spasms. But they have side effects and should not be added to your regimen without careful consideration and your doctor’s full support.

In small doses, antidepressants can actually ease the symptoms of Irritable Bowel. They can lesson spasms and relieve cramping and bloating.

Because Stress is a well-known trigger of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, antianxiety medication can help reduce your response to stressors, thereby easing your symptoms and bringing Irritable Bowel Syndrome relief.

Many people seek alternative irritable bowel treatment. In treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome, it is up to the individual to decide what works for them.

Studies are showing that the probiotics, or “good” bacteria, in yogurt may help. Probiotics help food move through your large intestine quicker, helping people with constipation. If you have diarrhea, the probiotics may decrease the frequency of loose stool. They can also ease gas and bloating. If you find you are sensitive to dairy products and cannot consume yogurt, there are supplements available. Ask your dietician to recommend one.

Peppermint oil has traditionally been used to reduce spasms in the intestine. Studies generally support its use for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, although more research is needed. Peppermint oil comes in capsules. Consult your doctor or dietitian for more information.

Yes. Food sensitivity is a major trigger of IBS symptoms. To find out what specific foods to avoid, it is important to keep an IBS food journal. Record the food you consume and how it effects your IBS symptoms. Then you can take note of the patterns that emerge and use them to design a diet regimen that is right for you.

Certain foods can trigger symptoms of IBS. Generally, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy foods, caffeine, meals heavy in fat content, raw fruits and vegetables (and all forms of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage). Eat small quantities several times a day to avoid over stimulating your bowel. Whether you suffer from diarrhea or constipation will determine how you should handle fiber. If you have diarrhea, a diet low in fiber is best. If you have constipation, high fiber eating can ease your symptoms.

Because the colon is, in part, regulated by the autonomic nervous system, stresscan exacerbate both diarrhea and constipation – and the host of other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Make time in your day to relax. Choose a time when you can be alone, and will not be disturbed. Draw yourself a bath, read books that make you feel good, or better yet — practice the stress-management techniques found in meditation, yoga, or self-hypnosis. These include breathing exercises that can calm you down, and even make you feel good. Make this time of relaxation as important as eating, because as you learn to manage your emotions, your Irritable Bowel symptoms can ease up.

Studies have shown that Cognitive Therapy can relieve IBS symptoms. A psychologist may also help you to reduce the stressors in your life and can teach you techniques for managing stress.