The_IBS_Team's blog

I am mindful of the chance to create untold damage to my digestive system with the stress of Christmas. Overindulgence, alcohol, erratic meal times, let alone family pressures are destined to upset my bowels! I hope that thinking this through in advance via this blog will help me avoid the worst.

How can I address the issue of overindulgence?

For me, one of the most debilitating aspects of my IBS was the severe cramping I experienced. I had occasions when the pain was so strong that I was doubled over and could not stand. I remember several extreme cases when I woke in the night and was crippled with discomfort. I have not had children but I certainly imagine that the pain I was having was some where near what women must feel when in labour.

We noticed the following article "Probiotics, Not so friendly after all?" in the The Times this week. The factual content of the article is excellent and we support it's comments, namely:

Do you really have IBS? Some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be the same as those for coeliac disease, but this is often hard to establish other than through your Doctor.

It seems a reliable home test kit for celiac disease may be available (Biocard^TM):   

We have added some recipes that include foods that are known to support the digestive system, as we recognise how hard it is to maintain a healthy balanced diet which is an essential apsect of controlling IBS.   

Given the stresses of the current economic crisis we wonder how many more people will end up suffering from irritable bowel syndrome as a consquence. All those bankers and financial types in the City worried about their jobs, and future bonuses!

Recent enquiries from parents looking for products to help treat IBS symptoms in children got us thinking about when we first experienced IBS ourselves. My first memory of experiencing irritable syndrome symptoms seems to link to a stress related situation - in my teenage years as a competitive swimmer, I remember getting significant cramping pain before an important event, which was relieved rather dramatically with a bout of explosive diarrhoea. My husband remembers his first bout during difficult times at work.

Having settled back in from our holidays, it seems that my husband's digestive system has now got back to normal. However mine seems to have flaired up in delayed sympathy! A few doses of Immodium Instants eventually got me back in control but I it has taken another few days before a semblance of regularity has set in. Frustrating and I hate this bloated feeling!   

We just got back from a great holiday in Tuscay, Italy but certainly have some IBS related experiences to tell! My husband (who has not really suffered from chronic IBS before) complained of "trapped wind and cramping" within two days of being away.......by the third day he was in a great deal of pain and lost his apetite. We visited a local pharmacy and were fascinated to find that they recommended medicinal charcoal.....one of our new prodcuts!

I was interested to see the young lady that suffered from flatulence, and the Doctor's feedback that we should expect to pass wind at least 5 or 6 times a day. She had been "holding it in" and as a consquence was suffering severe bloating. I am curious to know how many of us (ladies or otherwise) have a fear of breaking wind in public and therefore as a result suffer more than our male friends from this condition.....any thought would be greatly recieved.