Digestive - IBS

Question 1

What is IBS?

Answer 1

A condition that affects the digestion of foods and causes food to move to quickly or slowly through the digestive system

Question 2

What causes the symptoms of IBS?

Answer 2

Food moves:
Too quickly - diarrhoea - not enough water absorbed
Too slowly - constipation - too much water absorbed

Question 3

What are the symptoms of IBS?

Answer 3

Pain and cramps
Diarrhoea and constipation
Flatulence
Sudden need to go to toilet

Question 4

What is the cause of IBS?

Answer 4

Increased sensitivity of gut to certain foods or problems digesting food
Triggered by something eaten
Caused by childbirth, stress or an operation changing digestive system

Question 5

How can IBS be monitored?

Answer 5

Ultrasound - liver and other organs - lubricating gel and probe - sound waves bounce off body tissue- forms image

Question 6

How can IBS be treated?

Answer 6

Cut down on fibre
Avoid sweetener sorbitol
Avoid foods hard to digest
At 1 tbsp of linseeds a day

Question 7

What impacts does IBS have on lifestyle?

Answer 7

Pain can restrict sleep = tiredness
Makes socialising difficult
Need to keep food diary
Need frequent toilet trips