IBS Psychic?

IBS; What is it? Is that not psychic? If you’re suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), often you come across a lot of incomprehension. Patients feel that their family, friends and colleagues do not understand them. But also the medical world seems not to understand the complaints. Research shows that general practitioners refer people with recurring IBS-complaints wrongly to a psychologist, without first advising a diet.

IBS

Approximately 2.5 million people in the Netherlands are suffering to a greater or lesser extent from IBS. IBS is a chronic intestinal disorder which causes abdominal discomfort and an abnormal bowel movement. The dexterity (peristalsis) of the intestinal system is chronically upset. The food in the intestine is processed too fast or too slow. The most characteristic symptom of IBS is a nagging, spasmodic or stabbing pain in the abdomen. The pain can be very severe and have a big impact on daily life. (Source: belangenvereniging voor PDS). More English information.

Treatment

The treatment by a general practitioner usually consists of medication, but that helps to only a few patients. How should be done? Patients should be informed about alternatives to medications. The so-called FODMAP-limited diet gives good results. FODMAPs are substances that occur naturally in our food, such as lactose, fructose, fructans. They do not cause problems for everyone, but if they are badly absorbed, they can cause of gas and abdominal discomfort. Patients are positive about the diet, because they have more control over the IBS-complaints. They know what they’re sensitive to and they feel freer and more aware to choose for certain (also bad) nutrients.

Hope

Just the fact that IBS seriously is seen as disorder, will be a relief for many patients. They suffer from the stigma of psychological; as if they imagine their pain. The complaints are, however, physical and real. In any case it gives hope for the future that there is gradually more attention for this desease.

For more information I refer to the source of this article.

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