After being diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), it is important to get the factual information about IBS. What people think about IBS may not be accurate. There is still a lot of confusion about Irritable Bowel Syndrome and how best to treat it. If you or your loved one has IBS you should know the truth about the most common myths surrounding IBS.
Here are some common myths about IBS which are simply not true at all:
1 . IBS is a psychological disorder
-This myth is a dangerous one as it can cause a lot of social stigma to the person concerned. IBS is a functional disorder where there are no visible signs of illness but it is still a very real gastrointestinal disorder.
-While mental ailments like anxiety and depression can increase the symptoms, they do not cause IBS.
2 . There is no effective treatment for IBS
-Although there is no known cure for IBS, there are effective treatment options available. The goal of IBS treatment is to improve gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life.
-You don’t have to “learn to live with” IBS. The symptoms can be managed.
-There are several approaches to managing IBS – diet, exercise, stress management, probiotics, fibre supplements, medications, Alternative medicine.
3 . IBS is caused by eating certain foods
-IBS is not caused by any food. However, it can be triggered or worsened by having certain foods.
-Many people with IBS describe that symptoms frequently occur after or during meals. Fatty foods, caffeine, broccoli, beans have been pinpointed to causing IBS.
-However, it can be difficult for some people to target which particular food triggers their IBS
-Not every person with IBS will have symptoms after eating the same foods. The range of triggers is unique to each person.
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4 . IBS and lactose intolerance are the same
-Lactose intolerance means your body can’t digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. It causes digestive problems such as gas and cramps.
-With IBS, there is no single food that is to blame.
-Reducing or eliminating lactose does reduce IBS symptoms for some people but not everyone.
-Avoiding lactose usually helps IBS patients whey they make other dietary changes as well.
5 . Having fibre will cure IBS
-Fibre can help ease IBS-related constipation. It is not a cure though. Some people with the disease may find that it makes the pain and bloating worse.
-If your condition gives you constipation, then add fibre to your diet slowly so that your body has time to get used to it.
6 . IBS symptoms are the same for everyone
-People with IBS usually complain of abdominal pain, diarrhoea or alternating occurrences of constipation and diarrhoea.
-Other symptoms will include belching, acid reflux, nausea and difficulty in swallowing.
-Since there is a long list of possible IBS symptoms, not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
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