Can you have IBS every day?
IBS symptoms including cramps, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea can often arise daily. However, the type and frequency of IBS symptoms is entirely individual with the underlying causes or triggers often playing a major part in how the symptoms manifest themselves. This also means that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to managing the symptoms.
What are the daily symptoms of IBS?
Some of the main symptoms that are characteristic of IBS include, bloating, stomach cramps, constipation or diarrhoea. However, what is important to understand (and is pivotal for the correct management of this condition) is that how the symptoms present themselves can be quite individual.
For some, constipation is underlying. Alternatively, at the other end of the scale, diarrhoea is more predominant. In other cases, people can have alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea in which case the constipation is often a good place to start when it comes to managing symptoms.
For others, acid reflux, indigestion or other gastric-type symptoms can be a good indication that you should start in the stomach to manage symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms may be stress-related so, despite how the digestive symptoms present themselves, targeting the underlying stress is the most suitable approach.
For many people, these symptoms can crop up daily, for example, after a meal or before going to the loo. For others, they can be less frequent. They can occur at the hands of certain triggers, for example, such as stress.
The frequency can depend on the cause or triggers
Just as the symptoms of IBS present themselves differently, the frequency of the symptoms can be entirely individual. For some people, they will occur on a daily basis. For others, a flare-up can occur every few days, or only every now and again.
How long the symptoms actually last can also follow quite a variable pattern with issues lasting anything from hours to weeks.
If you're experiencing symptoms daily, it once again goes back to trying to determine the likely cause, or what might be acting as a trigger. From certain foods to an imbalance in gut bacteria, or stress, working out what's causing your symptoms can help to manage them appropriately.
Is IBS really a lifelong problem?
If you look up IBS online, you'll most likely read that there is no cure. The reality is there is no universal cure, simply because IBS is a rather large umbrella term for digestive malfunction so there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to the management of this condition. However, that certainly doesn't mean that we can't do anything to help manage the symptoms, and it certainly isn't a guarantee that it will last you a lifetime!
Whilst there is also the fear that IBS may develop into something more serious, this isn't a given. As IBS isn't considered an inflammatory condition, it's not always the case that the symptoms gradually get worse.
Some more encouraging stats include the following:
- 1 year after diagnosis, over 30% of people have long periods being symptom-free, suggesting they're able to figure out how best to manage their symptoms.
- Fast forward to 10 years, only around 50% of people have lasting symptoms. (1)
That being said, it isn't always an easy fix for many people, but sometimes listening to your own symptoms and employing a little trial and error is the best approach.
A multi-disciplinary approach is often the answer
One size certainly doesn't fit all when it comes to IBS. It's important to listen to your symptoms initially but work on determining what is most effective for you in terms of the management of symptoms as well. Some of my advice to get you started is as follows:
- Start by supporting your stomach. Supporting the stomach with some bitter herbs such as those found in Digestisan can be a good place to start, especially if you experience any reflux or indigestion alongside your symptoms. A happy stomach will help to encourage healthier processes further along the digestive tract too.
- Drink plenty water. Even if you suffer from diarrhoea, don't ever think that keeping yourself properly hydrated could be in any way problematic. Water is super important for keeping your digestion happy. Drink 1.5-2l of plain, still water daily and separate your drinks from your meals to support your digestion further. We need strong stomach acid people!
- Look out for food triggers but don't rule them out forever. Sometimes you'll be able to identify certain food triggers such as gluten, dairy or FODMAPs. Whilst it can be helpful in some cases to manage your intake of certain foodstuffs in the short-term whilst you work on improving your digestion, it often doesn't need to be forever.
See, as you support your digestion your resilience can grow and you may be able to tolerate a wider array of foods once more. Also, please remember, you shouldn't cut out large food groups without speaking to a health professional such as a nutritionist or a dietitian first.
- Support the balance of bacteria in your gut. Dysbiosis or an imbalance in gut bacteria is commonly linked to digestive malfunction and the symptoms associated with IBS. Eating a fresh-food, fibre-rich and varied diet is one of the first and most practical steps for supporting the variety and therefore the balance of bacteria in your gut. If you then need a further helping hand, this is where options like Molkosan can come in.
Rich in L+lactic acid, when taken daily Molkosan can help support the optimal internal environment of the gut which your good gut bacteria rely on in order to survive. - Use Silicol® Gel for flare-ups. Flare-ups in your symptoms, including cramps, bloating or diarrhoea, can often be uncomfortable or embarrassing. Use Silicol® Gel to help calm the symptoms as they appear along the way.
