What are the 3 types of IBS?
IBS is an umbrella term, meaning it can present itself in a variety of ways. However, despite this, IBS can be divided into 3 main sub-types: IBS-C (constipation-dominant symptoms), IBS-D (diarrhoea-dominant symptoms) or IBS-M (alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea). Then, depending on which symptoms are present, this influences the best course of treatment.
The types of IBS and how to treat them
The different sub-types of IBS are as follows:
1. IBS-C
Being diagnosed with IBS-C (IBS-constipation) means that:
- More than 25% of your stools are hard or lumpy
- Less than 25% of your stools are loose or watery.
This means you are mostly affected with constipation-type symptoms rather than diarrhoea, although many of the other shared symptoms of IBS may also be experienced, such as bloating, flatulence or cramps.
How to treat it?
Conventional treatments for IBS-C often involve over-the-counter laxatives. Whilst this approach may help to relieve some of the symptoms of IBS in the short-term, in the long-term this often isn't a suitable solution. Some advice from me instead is as follows:
- Drink enough water – drinking enough water is a must-do, especially if your symptoms are centred around constipation. Aim to drink at least 1.5l daily and this shouldn't include additional juices or warm drinks – these should be considered extras.
- Support the stomach and encourage the movement of bile – supporting the stomach and liver with the help of bitter herbs such as dandelion, may help to encourage peristalsis (the movement of food waste through your gut) as the excretion of bile from your gall bladder helps to stimulate this crucial process.
- Eat enough fibre – whilst eating sufficient dietary fibre is an important habit for supporting digestive health, in some cases, those with IBS can be sensitive to certain types of fibres known as FODMAPs. If this is you, opt for low FODMAP, high-fibre options instead so you are still able to hit your daily quota.
- Opt for more natural laxatives – if you're keen to try a bowel-stimulating remedy to help get things moving initially, opt for a more a natural option instead such as Linoforce. Linoforce can be sourced from local pharmacies.
2. IBS-D
Being diagnosed with IBS-D (IBS-diarrhoea) means that:
- More than 25% of your stools are loose or watery
- Less than 25% of your stools are hard or lumpy.
This means that you are mostly affected with diarrhoea-type symptoms rather than constipation, although many of the other shared symptoms of IBS may also be experienced by those who are affected by IBS-C, such as bloating, flatulence or cramps.
How to treat it?
Conventional treatments for IBS-D may include anti-spasmodics or anti-diarrhoeal medications. Whilst these options, yet again, may be useful in the short-term, they will often fail to really dig deep and help identify the likely root cause of the symptoms. Whilst this isn't always clear cut, some of the likely causes of IBS-D can include:
- Links with stress, mental health and/or an imbalance in neurotransmitters
- Links with past or current bacterial infections, and/or an imbalance in gut bacteria
- Food triggers and/or inadequate digestion.
Depending on the likely cause, or combination of these causes as mentioned above, this can often influence which treatment approach will work best. Therefore, one of, or a combination of the following approaches, may be helpful:
- Address stress, anxiety or low mood symptoms with the help from diet, lifestyle, herbal and conventional remedies
- Use a combination of pre- and probiotics to help reset and encourage the correct balance of bacteria in the large intestine
- Identify any food triggers and consider removing them for a short time until the gut heals. Encourage gut healing with the help of diet and supplements, plus encourage proper digestion with the help of eating habits such as chewing thoroughly, limiting drinks alongside foods and introducing a herbal bitters remedy 5-10 minutes before each meal
- Use Silicol Gel to help calm incidences of IBS flare-ups, encourage the excretion of any pathogens and encourage healing of the gut lining.
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3. IBS-M
Being diagnosed with IBS-M (IBS-mixed or otherwise known as IBS-A (IBS-alternating)) means that:
- More than 25% of your stools are loose or watery
- More than 25% of your stools are hard or lumpy.
This means that you are affected by both constipation and diarrhoea and you might experience alternating bouts of both of these symptoms. Alongside these symptoms you may also experience many of the shared symptoms of IBS including bloating, flatulence or cramps.
How to treat it?
Interestingly, when IBS-M is apparent, although diarrhoea is also experienced, the reason both these types of symptoms are experienced is more likely to be linked to the underlying constipation. When left untreated, chronic constipation may also give rise to resultant diarrhoea, so this is very a good place to start in terms of the treatment. My advice is as follows:
- Despite also experiencing diarrhoea, do not be put off drinking sufficient water. This will not make your symptoms worse and may instead help. Aim to drink at least 1.5l daily and this shouldn't include additional juices or warm drinks – these should be extras.
- Eat enough fibre. Whilst fibre is important for supporting digestive health, in some cases, those with IBS can be sensitive to certain types of fibres known as FODMAPs. If this is the case, try to opt for low FODMAP, high-fibre options instead so you are still able to hit your daily dietary fibre quota.
- Support the balance of your good gut bacteria with the help of pre- and probiotics. Both constipation or diarrhoea-type symptoms can often be driven by an imbalance of gut bacteria. Together with helpful diet and lifestyle tips as mentioned above, prebiotics can help encourage the correct environment for the good gut bacteria to thrive, and you can then top up your numbers with the help of a good quality probiotic supplement.
