IBS: What Is It?

It’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) awareness month! Did you know there are different types of IBS? Did you also know that there are different recommendations for each of the different types? We’ll begin by discussing the different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that you or your loved ones may be experiencing.

Did you know that 10 to 15% of individuals experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Around 60 to 65% of those individuals are women, and 35 to 40% of them are men.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel syndrome is when the function of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. It does not work as it normally should. It can be accompanied by stomach pains and changes in bowel movements.

Women and individuals under the age of 50 are more likely to develop IBS. Individuals can have a higher chance of having IBS if a family member has it, there is a history of chronic early life stress or difficult life events, or there is history of a severe infection in the digestive system.

There are three different types of IBS. Each is diagnosed depending on the type of bowel movements you have (constipation vs diarrhea). Everyone is different and some may have normal bowel movements one day then have diarrhea the next. Individuals with IBS may also have bloating, excessive gas, chest discomfort, incomplete defecation, and fatigue.

Types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS with constipation (IBS-C)

If you have this type, you may find that most of the time you are constipated.  Your stools will be hard or lumpy 3/4th of the time. You may also have loose or watery stool, also known as diarrhea, 1/4th of the time. However, the key component is that you experience a greater amount of constipation than diarrhea or loose stools. 

IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)

If you have IBS-D, 3/4th of your bowel movement in one day are loose or watery and 1/4th of them could be hard and lumpy. Having this type does not mean that you won’t experience any normal bowel movements or constipation, but you often experience diarrhea more frequently. 

IBS with mixed bowel of constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M)

If you have this type of IBS, you may experience a both types of bowel movements in one day: constipation and diarrhea. With IBS-M, constipation and diarrhea can be experienced equally. You may experience a normal week then have a week with constipation and diarrhea alternating on every other day. The symptoms vary greatly. 

What Can I Do About Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Finding a solution for IBS symptoms can involve a little bit of experimentation. We recommend seeing a dietitian to discuss your symptoms and diet. The diet plays a role in every process in the body, especially digestion. Maybe there is an area that can be improved. Maybe stress is the factor that you need to focus on initially. In general, increasing fiber can help no matter what type of IBS you have.

Soluble v.s. Insoluble Fiber

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and helps it to pass through your stomach and intestines quickly. You can find this type of fiber wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. This type of fiber helps prevent constipation.

Soluble fibers are responsible for attracting water and forming a gel to slow down the process of digestion. It can be found in oat bran, barley, nuts/seeds, bean, lentils, peas, and some fruits. Soluble fiber helps prevent diarrhea. 

Individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome should get about 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

If you have any questions or concerns about fiber with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, feel free to contact us for additional information and an individualized plan of attack to soothe your IBS symptoms.