April is IBS Awareness Month: Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posted by: melissafranklin - Posted on:

April is IBS Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on one of the most common yet often misunderstood digestive conditions—Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Affecting an estimated 10–15% of the population, IBS can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, yet many suffer in silence or go undiagnosed.

At Granite State Gastroenterology, we’re here to raise awareness, provide support, and help those affected by IBS find relief through expert care.

What is IBS?

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means it affects how the gut works, not necessarily how it looks or what tests might show. It’s a chronic condition that involves a mix of symptoms related to abnormal movement and sensitivity of the intestines.

There are different types of IBS, classified by the dominant symptom:

• IBS-C (constipation-predominant)
• IBS-D (diarrhoea-predominant)
• IBS-M (mixed type, alternating between constipation and diarrhoea)

Common Symptoms of IBS:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Bloating and gas
• Diarrhoea and/or constipation
• Mucus in the stool
• Feeling of incomplete bowel movement
• Symptoms often worsen with stress or certain foods

While IBS doesn’t cause permanent damage to the intestines or lead to serious disease, it can disrupt daily life, cause missed workdays, and affect mental well-being.

What Causes IBS?

The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, but several factors may contribute:

• Gut-brain axis dysfunction (how the brain and gut communicate)
• Intestinal muscle contractions that are too strong or too weak
• Food sensitivities or intolerances
• Changes in gut microbiota (the balance of bacteria in your gut)
• Infections or early life stress

Managing IBS: Treatment & Lifestyle Support

While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for IBS, many people find relief through a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Some options include:

✅ Dietary Changes
• Trying a low-FODMAP diet, which limits certain hard-to-digest carbs
• Keeping a food diary to track triggers
• Increasing fibre (especially for IBS-C)
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat foods

✅ Stress Management
Since stress can worsen IBS, techniques like yoga, meditation, counselling, and regular exercise can be helpful.