What to Know About IBS Flare-Ups

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of the large intestine that affects between 10% and 15% of people around the world. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation – sometimes both. While there are treatments available for IBS, it is a chronic condition that must be managed over the course of your life.

Though IBS isn’t something you can cure, there are steps you can take to mitigate your symptoms. Diet and lifestyle changes, for example, can help reduce the severity of symptoms as well as their frequency. Even when you make an effort to control your IBS, however, you may still experience flare-ups from time to time.

Here’s what you need to know about IBS flare-ups, including what causes them and how to properly treat them.

What is an IBS Flare-Up?

Irritable bowel syndrome affects every individual differently and can resemble the symptoms of other conditions which often makes diagnosis tricky. Women with IBS often experience an increase in symptoms around their monthly cycle – some women also report an increase in symptoms during pregnancy. Symptoms of IBS are similar in men, but men tend not to report their symptoms as often as women and they are less likely to seek treatment for IBS.

With proper management, many people with IBS go for weeks or months without experiencing symptoms. Because IBS is a chronic condition, however, it may never fully go away, and you’ll find yourself dealing with flare-ups from time to time.

An IBS flare-up is also known as an IBS attack. It’s simply a period of time during which you experience a worsening of symptoms. IBS flare-ups can last anywhere from a few hours to a few months, depending on the severity of the attack and the underlying cause. Once you eliminate the trigger for the attack, you can experience relief from symptoms shortly thereafter.

What Causes IBS to Flare Up?

The underlying cause of IBS is unknown, but experts have identified certain factors which are most likely to trigger an attack. Muscle contractions in the intestines, for example, could trigger an attack. If you have strong muscle contractions, it may cause food to pass through the digestive tract too quickly which may result in diarrhea. If you have weak or slow contractions, on the other hand, stools may be harder to pass which can lead to constipation.

Bacteria may also play a role in triggering an IBS attack. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, both good and bad. When these bacteria are in balance, you’ll enjoy smooth and regular digestion but when bad bacteria start to outnumber good bacteria you may experience negative digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, and cramping. Inflammation and weak signals between the brain and the nerves in the digestive track may also trigger an IBS flare-up.

Two other major triggers for IBS flare-ups are food and stress. Though the role of food intolerance and food allergy in IBS isn’t fully understood, some people experience worsening symptoms when they consume certain foods and beverages. Examples include dairy products, wheat, beans, citrus fruits, and carbonated beverages. Severe or chronic stress can also exacerbate IBS symptoms, though stress itself isn’t an underlying cause for IBS.

How Do You Treat an IBS Attack?

While irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition with no cure, there are ways to manage the disease to reduce the frequency and severity of your flare-ups. Lifestyle changes and medication are generally the most effective treatment options.

Food plays an important role in managing IBS since what you eat has the potential to trigger an attack. The foods that trigger IBS symptoms vary from one person to another, but some of the most common triggers are alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and certain fruits and vegetables. One way to manage your IBS is to go on an elimination diet to help identify the specific foods your body reacts poorly to. You may want to keep a food journal to track your meals and your symptoms while systematically removing certain foods and drinks from your diet.

In some cases, IBS attacks are brought on by carbohydrates – especially if you’re sensitive to certain ones. FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are carbohydrates that have been known to bother IBS sufferers. Examples of FODMAPs include:

• Garlic
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Peaches
• Apples
• Pears
• Dairy products
• High-fructose corn syrup

Work with a dietitian to understand if reducing these foods from your diet may help you avoid IBS flare-ups. If dietary changes aren’t enough to provide relief, you may want to talk to your doctor about medication. Fiber supplements may help with chronic constipation and anti-diarrhea medications can help with diarrhea. For pain associated with IBS, your doctor may recommend something like pregabalin (Lyrica) or gabapentin (Neurontin). IBS is often linked to anxiety and depression, so antidepressants may help as well.

Tips for Preventing IBS Flare-Ups

The first step in preventing IBS flare-ups is identifying your triggers so you can avoid them in the future. For dietary triggers, this may involve doing an elimination diet to see which foods cause your symptoms to worsen. There are also some simple lifestyle changes you can try to improve your IBS.

Here are some tips for preventing IBS attacks:

• Engage in regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day, three days a week to help regulate intestinal contractions to relieve constipation.
• Follow a regular eating schedule. Eating your meals around the same times each day can help regulate digestive function and relieve symptoms.
• Increase your fiber intake. If you suffer from constipation, slowly increasing your fiber intake may help. Be careful about increasing it too much, however, because excess fiber can cause diarrhea.
• Try probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore the balance in your digestive tract and relieve symptoms. Look for natural yogurts that contain live probiotics.
• Try digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes break down difficult-to-digest FODMAP carbohydrates before they can reach the colon and start causing symptoms.
• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make constipation worse so may sure to drink hydrating liquids and include fruits and vegetables in your diet throughout the day.
• Manage your stress. While stress isn’t a direct cause for IBS, it can exacerbate symptoms so try meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or breathing exercises to relieve stress.
• Try cognitive behavioral therapy. Anxiety and depression can worsen IBS, so cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) might help you manage these conditions.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects everyone differently, and it may take time for you to identify your triggers and come to an understanding of how IBS affects you. Once you have a better understanding of the disorder, you’ll be better equipped to make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.