30 — iPain Living Magazine
Understanding and Managing
Long-Term IBS-Related Pain
By Chrissy Phillips
Three out of four people
with irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) report abdominal
pain as one of
their predominant symptoms.
This pain, according
IBS patients, is the
primary factor in their
condition being seen as
severe. So, it is important
to understand and manage
long-term IBS-related
pain.
The difference between
IBS-related pain and
chronic pain caused by
other ailments or conditions,
is its variable nature.
This pain is intense
and unpleasant due to the
sheer number of nerve
cells in the abdomen.
It varies between bloating
from constipation to diarrhea,
both of which have
their own types of pain.
They key to understanding
IBS is understanding
its causes. These do in
fact vary from person to
person which can complicate
matters. For example,
some people will require
increased fiber to reduce
pain and improve bowel
movements whereas others
may need less.
In terms of advice, it is
best to consult with your
doctor or a nutritionist
who can work with you to
determine what food
products are causing the
issue. For example, flatulence
promoting foods do
not help – sodas, beans,
brussels sprouts, bagels,
onions, etc.
However, it might be
dairy products or sugar
free gum doing it. For
others it might be caffeine
products or other kinds of
food intolerances. Keep a
food diary and link it to
your stomach – pay attention
to bloating, pain, and
bowel movements.