Read 28 times since Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is an extremely common condition and far more people suffer from it than are diagnosed. That's because IBS symptoms are often confused with general gut problems, or aren't taken seriously by the sufferer.
Recognising the most commonplace IBS symptoms and getting the right tests and advice can help you to make your life much more comfortable, and give you the peace of mind that you need. It is often related to your diet, so researching food intolerance testing is one way you can take a step closer to finding out if changing your diet could ease your Irritable Bowel Syndrome problems.
A bloated feeling in the stomach is one of the key symptoms, and is often the one that causes people to question if they might be suffering from the condition. Because IBS is essentially a problem with the gut, it's no surprise that this is the area where most of your discomfort will be centred. You may feel bloated often, or just occasionally. It may occur straight after eating, or some time later whilst your body is still digesting. Being aware of when and how often this happens will show you if there's a pattern emerging that could be linked to IBS.
Abdominal pain is also a common symptom. Like bloating, it may be irregular and unpredictable, but if you have noticed that it is happening more often, it could be an indication of potential problems. Pain may be sudden, like a cramp, or be more like a general discomfort, or you may experience both. This wide scope in terms of IBS symptoms means that it can be difficult to diagnose as IBS rather than a specific food intolerance. Testing is the best way to find out what's causing your problems, so that you can begin to make things better.
Bowel movements - there's no escaping the fact that IBS symptoms are going to be linked to bowel movements, and this is often the reason why many people put off seeking professional advice. You may experience constipation, diarrhoea or both, and the sooner you can isolate the problem and make the right changes, the sooner you will be more comfortable.
If you are suffering from one or more of these potential IBS symptoms, it's worth taking the next step to see if you have IBS. Once you are diagnosed, you can begin to look at your diet, which is often the starting point on the road to recovery. Increasing your intake of certain food types and restricting others is likely to play a key role in managing the condition, and you could be surprised at how quickly things improve once you have recognised the IBS symptoms and sought the right help. Dr. Gillian Hart is a Scientific Director for YorkTest Laboratories who specialise in food intolerance testing to help identify causes for IBS symptoms and wheat intolerance symptoms. For more information visit YorkTest.com or call 0800 074 6185.
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