What is IBS ?

What is IBS ? Gas, heartburn, heartburn as a result of indigestion due to stomach problems are inextricably linked with the simple Bengali life. However, it should be tried to solve the problem without thinking it too simple.

The above condition also has a scientific name – Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. About 3 to 22 percent of people around the world suffer from this problem. The question is why some people regularly suffer from indigestion, constipation and frequent stomach upset. Where is the relationship between food intake and stomach problems?

How do you know if you are suffering from IBS?

Abdominal pain, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, loose stools at least 3-4 times a day or persistent constipation, always feeling full, indigestion and desire to pass stool after meals indicate IBS. If the patient suffers from such problems for a long time, weight loss, malnutrition, anemia etc. occur.

IBS can generally be of 3 types.

• Repeated loose motions

• Problems with constipation

• Mixed IBS

In this disease, constipation and loose motion continue for a few days. Diet plays a very important role in solving the problem of IBS.

IBS and malnutrition

Although IBS may seem like a simple stomach problem, chronic IBS can lead to severe malnutrition. Because as mentioned earlier, the essential nutrients of the body are absorbed from the colon. In that case, if the function of the colon is disturbed, these substances are not absorbed by the body. As a result, people suffer from malnutrition.

Again, due to frequent defecation, many essential nutrients of the body leave the body. Dehydration also occurs which is very harmful to the body.

Also, people’s desire to eat food is lost due to constant stomach ailments. Again, there is a kind of fear that after eating, you will need to go to the bathroom again – many people do not eat when they are out for work. As a result, much less food is consumed than what is required throughout the day and people suffer from malnutrition.

IBS is a cause for concern, especially in very elderly people or people with other medical conditions. Because it becomes difficult to feed them properly and if this malnutrition becomes too much then any patient becomes ill. It takes a long time to fit. 

So it is necessary to control the diet properly so that constipation or loose motion problems can be avoided and the patient can get the necessary nutrients from his food.

IBS and low fodmap

Currently the word FODMAP is used for the diet management of IBS. It is recommended to eat according to the low food map.

The whole point of FODMAP is-

F: Fermentable

O: Oligosaccharides

D: D-saccharides

M: Monosaccharides

A: And

P: Polyols

Such foods cause stomach problems as they cannot be absorbed. Fermented in the colon and produces gas, increases water content and causes problems like flatulence, colic, diarrhoea, gas formation.

Certain types of carbohydrates in food are easily fermented in the colon. Because hydrolysis enzymes are not present in the body to break down such sugars. So it is better not to keep them in daily food. These include foods like glucose and monosaccharides. Stop eating them.

Fruit contains fructose. Fructose is often not absorbed in the colon. Free fructose is fermented (searched) and converted to hydrogen and carbon dioxide ie gas is produced. So many times fruit or fruit juice is prohibited for IBS or stomach problems.

There are other types of carbohydrates that are easily fermented mainly found in wheat and onions. So you should stop eating anything made of wheat and onions. If the body lacks the galactosidase enzyme, flatulence occurs because the body cannot digest galactose-like foods.

So milk, pulses, some grain foods, nuts and seeds should be avoided by IBS patients.

Polyols i.e. sugar alcohols cause stomach problems. They are commonly used in artificial sweeteners. So you should definitely stop eating them.

Foods to avoid as per foodmap-

Wheat, rye, onion, garlic, pulses, milk and milk products, soy milk, almond milk, corn syrup, honey, fruits include apples, pears, watermelon, palm, cherries, mushrooms, cauliflower, etc.

 Which can be eaten-

Rice or rice products, oats or gluten-free foods, sour fruits, bananas, kiwi, potatoes, corn, fish, fresh poultry.

Also reduce the consumption of excess oil in food. Avoid coffee or alcohol completely. But above all, what should be kept in mind is that those who suffer from persistent IBS problems must continue with expert advice.

Because every patient is different. In many cases it is found that one or two particular foods may not be causing problems in one patient, but those foods are causing problems in others.

So in consultation with a specialist you need to create a diet plan just for you by keeping only the food elements that your body needs and excluding those that you cannot tolerate.