The Importance Of Treating IBS

The Importance Of Treating IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that must be recognized for the person experiencing it. While it’s true that most people who suffer illness would on some level prefer to ignore what is happening with the hopes that it will all go away, with IBS, this is next to impossible because the symptoms which typically include cramping, diarrhea, and constipation become so plainly prominent in a person’s day to day life. The quality of life for the person with IBS is challenging and it is important to deal with whatever is going on in a proactive way to be sure that further health complications are ignored.

Dangers of Untreated IBS

For those suffering from IBS, there is usually a fairly quick course of action that is required to help which includes increasing fluids and fiber intake. Yet if no corrective action is taken, the following problems may result including:

  1. Hemorrhoids:  These inflamed veins in the rectum can cause rectal bleeding with intense pushing and straining to have a bowel movement.
  2. Anal Fissures:  Extensive pushing to have a bowel movement may cause a tearing of the anus which is called an anal fissure. Anal fissures cause bleeding, pain, and irritation and itching.
  3. Fecal Impaction: When you are unable to push the stool out of your rectum, there is a build of of the feces and results in fecal impaction.
  4. Prolapse of the Rectum:  When you continue to push and strain to have a bowel movement, there is a danger of your rectum actually coming out of the anus.
  5. Mental Health Challenges:  Prolonged struggles with IBS may create a prolonged struggle with depression, anxiety, shame and isolation because the subject matter is considered to be so taboo.

There are many other contributing problems that may result to ignoring the symptoms of IBS and any instinct to hope that the problem will go away magically should be negated.

Misunderstandings about IBS

Although there is a lot of research available about IBS, there are still many misunderstandings and misconceptions that circulate widely across the United States including:

  • Damage to the colon.  IBS will not cause long term damage to the colon.
  • Colon Cancer.  There is no linking between IBS and this type of cancer.

Taking Action

Each person who suffers from IBS should take action immediately by going to a physician to talk about what is going on. You and your doctor can together figure out the best course of action and come up with a specific treatment plan to address exactly what is going on with you.  Don’t forget that all plans need to be adjusted in the weeks and months following their implication, so don’t hesitate to make a follow-up appointment with your doctor for 4-6 weeks later. There is no magic one-fix solution with IBS, but there is a lot of data and research that medical professionals can assist you with to help bring you out of an IBS episode and back to good health as soon as possible. You too can have a happy gut.

Aloe Vera Juice and IBS

Aloe Vera Juice and IBS

There is something new that everyone is talking about it’s Aloe Vera Juice which is sometimes also referred to as Aloe Vera Water. The juice contains either just the gel/pulp and/or parts of the green leaf which includes the latex – which is all combined together to form the juice. Aloe Vera Juice may be combined with other beverages, juices, and smoothies, and includes many health benefits including regulating blood sugar, improving digestion, and constipation.

Aloe Vera is full of vitamins, nutrients, essential amino acids, and is thought of as a superfood which many overall health benefits.

The Formula

To make an Aloe Vera Juice Smoothie, you will want to combine a milk of your choice (cow’s milk, goat’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk or oat milk) along with approximately ½ cup of aloe vera leaf gel. To get the aloe vera gel, take a sharp knife and cut away both ends of a leaf of the aloe. Peel one side of the leaf and scoop out the slimy and clear gel.

Combine with 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit of your choice, a sweetener of your choice (raw sugar, honey, stevia, maple syrup, agave syrup, or date honey), and 1 tbsp of chia seeds. Blend and serve over ice.

How much sweetener to add is up to you; Aloe Vera Gel is generally speaking fairly bitter but also may resemble a cucumber taste, so it just depends on how sweet you need it to be and how naturally sweet the fruit is that you’ve used.

How Aloe Vera Helps IBS

Aloe Vera has historically been known to help with digestive issues, including both constipation and diarrhea which are common symptoms of IBS. Aloe juice can soothe the digestive tract serving as a natural laxative, and therefore it’s important not to drink too much of the juice daily.

Though there are mixed reviews about the benefits of Aloe Vera Juice on IBS, nothing definitive has been concluded about potential benefits. Yet individuals with IBS claim that it has improved their symptoms vastly, and since it provides many overall general health benefits, there is no concern about introducing it to IBS patients as one of the tools in the treatment toolkit planned together with your physician.

Purchasing Aloe Vera Juice

As with any purchase, be sure to discern which is the best processed Aloe Vera Juice on the market. Check to see if the juice has been prepared with the gel/pulp which can be consumed daily or the entire leaf of the aloe plant (gel/pulp and latex) which should not be taken more than a few times a week or it can cause kidney issues and stomach cramps.

In general, read the label of whatever it is that you are purchasing as there are many Aloe Vera products being sold on the market today that contain no Aloe Vera whatsoever.

Precautions About Aloe Vera Juice

The consumption of Aloe Vera Juice has been found to cause cancer in rats, and so it is worthwhile to take the juice in small amounts. It may also cause cramping and diarrhea which would aggravate IBS rather than provide benefits. It is always beneficial to come to your doctor’s appointment armed with ideas and run them by your physician before implementing them.

Tips for Dating With IBS

Tips for Dating With IBS

In any new type of relationship, a concern is always on when and how to introduce to the other person that you suffer from any kind of medical issue. With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), the issue may need to come up earlier in the dating relationship depending on a number of factors regarding how active the symptoms are and how much they are manifesting themselves.

Top Tips For Dating When You Suffer From IBS

#1 Honesty is the Best Policy:

Rather than there be secrets about the circumstances of why you may need to interrupt the date for an extended visit to the bathroom, it is best to share the circumstances of having IBS early on briefly but also honestly so that the person you are dating is not left in the dark. By confronting the issue head-on, it will give you a sense of the character of the person you are dating – in terms of their reaction. The stress of managing aggravated symptoms during a date without having been honest may potentially just exacerbate the issue. Moreover, since so many millions of people suffer from IBS or another illness, it may be an opportunity to reach one another and both share something that is often considered taboo to talk about while in a new dating relationship.

#2 Understand That IBS May Be a Deal Breaker:

It’s no surprise that not everyone will be supportive or understanding or willing to continue dating you with the sharing of IBS. You should assume that it may cut short a date or may be the last date you have with that person. On the other hand, if that’s the case, you really would not want to be building a short or long term relationship with that person. A person’s character really shines through with this kind of thing.

#3 Dress Practically:

There is no reason to aggravate your IBS symptoms by wearing something too tight or uncomfortable. Be smart and practical with choosing your outfit so that if you have a flare up, you need not take extra time peeling off your tight-fitting clothes.

#4 Throw Away Your Shame:

There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about having IBS. Even those without IBS will have likely experienced at least one or a few of the symptoms including gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. If you need to use the bathroom, there is no reason to feel shameful for needing that time to help pass the unpleasant symptoms you may be experiencing. It’s very easy to feel bad and uncomfortable in a situation like this, but flipping it on its side is exactly what is needed. Life is not always straightforward, and that’s okay too.

#5 Plan Your Dates Wisely:

Though you may love to the idea of taking a hike to see the changing colors in the fall time, you may wish to stay out of the woods and close to a bathroom during the first number of dates while getting to know one another. Similarly, if you are going for a long drive to another undetermined location, it’s okay to be sure that the circumstances of the destination are something that is workable for you. Definitely, take pride in making sure whatever is arranged works for you and if it doesn’t, better to share than end up in a truly hard situation that spirals into something much worse.

Children And IBS – A Guide for Parents

Children And IBS – A Guide for Parents

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects adults and children alike; the exact percentages for children in North America show that 6% of middle schoolers have IBS and 14% of high school student; those numbers are likely to rise over the coming years.

IBS manifests itself as an overreaction of nerves in the gastrointestinal tract, causing children to experience constipation or diarrhea, usually accompanied by abdominal pains. Physicians will only begin to diagnose whether a child has this group of symptoms if they have had been constipated or had diarrhea at a minimum of once a week over a two month period. Other symptoms may include any of the following:  rectal pain, nausea, gas, bloating, cramping in the lower stomach, and appetite loss.

At that point, your child’s physician will want to determine whether the symptoms are stemming from a gastrointestinal disease such as Crohn’s Disease or Colitis. Note that IBS itself is not a disease. To make a definitive diagnosis for IBS, they will request the following: stool samples to determine if there is blood in the stool; an ultrasound to get a better picture of your child’s intestines to determine if their bowel movements are regular; colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to see the intestinal lining and determine if there is damage.

Causes of IBS Children

The frequency of bowel movements in children can range from anything from multiple bowel movements per day for younger kids, but typically older children have at least one bowel movement per day. There are many causes for children who suffer from IBS including bacterial gastroenteritis which occurs when you have a bacterial infection in your stomach or intestines, problems contracting gastrointestinal muscles typically emanating from a lack of nerve communication between a child’s gut and brain, genetics, and anxiety.

Treatments for IBS in Children

There are many treatments for IBS, and growing sets of alternatives treatments available; these are common treatments to help you in assisting to treat your child’s symptoms.

  • Increasing Fiber Intake – you will need to evaluate early on if your child is getting enough fiber in his or her diet, including whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables. One quick way to calculate the number of grams of fiber your child should be getting each day is to take your child’s age and add 5.
  • Avoid Certain Foods – you will want to carefully monitor your child’s diet to be sure that fast foods which are typically high in fat are avoided, as well as caffeine. Other foods to avoid are foods that cause gas and bloating such as beans and cabbage. Finally, you make wish to monitor whether your child has an adverse reaction to dairy which can be a common problem.
  • Probiotics – you are advised to be in touch with your child’s physicians about introducing probiotics which have live bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract which may positively affect IBS symptoms.
  • Peppermint Oil is considered to be an effective approach to treating IBS.
  • Medications may be prescribed by your child’s physician for diarrhea, depression, or to soften the stool.
  • Talking openly about IBS within your child’s family and with his/her physicians has been shown to be very important so that embarrassment does not result around what could be considered a very sensitive subject.

Natural Supplements: Can They Help Your IBS?

Natural Supplements: Can They Help Your IBS?

IBS is an acronym that stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It is a disorder in the large intestine and symptoms include diarrhea, constipation or a mix of both, along with gas, bloating and stomach pain. IBS doesn’t cause any lasting harm to your intestines, unlike other large intestine and colon disorders like Crohn’s disease or Celiac. IBS is extremely common, yet is undiagnosed in a large amount of the population. It is most common in young women between the ages of 18 and 45. Managing your IBS symptoms could be difficult, but possible. You should examine all aspects of your life including your diet, possible stressors, and consider adding a medication.

What Should You Eat To Avoid Flare-Ups?

IBS symptoms can worsen after eating certain foods: this is called a flare-up, which can last for a few hours to a few months. While symptoms may vary depending on the type of IBS you have, your diet can be a consistent tool with which you can help regulate your bowel.

If your symptoms include loose stool with mucus, you can eat a high-fiber diet to help ease your symptoms. High fiber foods include:

  • whole grains
  • root vegetables like potatoes
  • legumes
  • seeds
  • beans
  • lentils
  • chia seeds

If your symptoms include constipation and gas, that might mean you want to eat a low-fiber diet. Low-fiber diets add more soluble fiber to your diet. Soluble fibers are kinds of food that dissolve and mix easily with water and turns into a kind of soft gel.Low-fiber foods include:

  • oatmeal
  • most vegetables
  • fruits

Peppermint Oil: Easy On Your Stomach

Besides medications, consider adding a supplement to help manage your IBS symptoms. Studies have found that peppermint oil has many health benefits that may relieve some symptoms of IBS.

Peppermint oil is an essential oil and it has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time – it is actually recorded as one of the oldest herbs used for healing the body. It is a natural oil derived by steaming the top leaves of the peppermint plant, and has been shown to act as an antibacterial, ease pain, and even decrease fungus growth. Peppermint contains high quantities of menthol, which is shown to help with infections, skin diseases, and intestinal issues. Taking peppermint oil has shown to relieve indigestion, nausea, diarrhea and constipation.

Administering Essential Oils

Unlike some supplements that can be swallowed, peppermint essential oil cannot be taken orally. Instead, you can pour some oil into a diffuser, use it as a massage oil, or simply inhale it. If you are using it for a skin cream, remember to mix other oils into it so the menthol will not overpower and harm your skin. Heartburn is a common side effect of ingesting peppermint oil.

Luckily, there are supplements on the market that help relieve IBS symptoms that contain peppermint oil as well. Those are safe to swallow and research have shown the peppermint greatly benefits someone suffering from IBS.

Get Rid Of Constipation: Tips To Overcome IBS-C Or CIC

Get Rid Of Constipation: Tips To Help Overcome IBS-C Or CIC

IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome and is a disorder of your large intestine. Symptoms of IBS include constipation, diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and gas. IBS-C is a type of IBS that includes constipation as the main symptom. It is extremely common; 20% of adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with IBS-C, and most of these adults are women under the age of 45. CIC is an acronym for chronic idiopathic constipation. CIC affects 35 million Americans and has similar symptoms to IBS-C, including gas and constipation.

Unlike someone who occasionally has bowel trouble, both of these disorders must have consistent symptoms for 3 to 6 months. If you are experiencing these unpleasant symptoms, you can go to your doctor and get a few tests to see if you have IBS-C or CIC.

4 Ways To Treat These Symptoms

There are five ways to effectively treat bowel disorders like IBS-C or CIC. However, depending on how severe the symptoms, a small lifestyle change can completely improve your quality of life. To decrease these unpleasant symptoms, you must examine:

  • your diet
  • your exercise routine
  • your supplement intake
  • medications.you may need

Nutrition

IBS-C and CIC can worsen depending on what you are eating. If you have a high-fiber diet, it tends to harden your stools and soak up any water you have in your digestive tract. Eating a low-fiber diet can help ease your discomfort. Some foods in this category include lean meats, fish, legumes, berries and whole grains.

You must also remember to stay hydrated. Especially with CIC, your digestive system uses up water quickly and it constantly needs replenishing. Drinking enough water helps normalize your system, decrease the amount of gas in your intestines, and help to pass your stools.

Exercise

Exercise is important for every system in your body, from your neurological functions to your bowel movements. Exercising stimulates your blood flow and activates your digestive system, helping it move faster. Try adding a brisk 20-minute walk to your daily routine and you’ll benefit from these changes almost immediately.

Medications

Sometimes staying hydrated, eating healthy, and regularly exercising just aren’t enough. Ask your doctor if he or she thinks medication will help you regulate your bowel movements.

Supplements

Dietary supplements are very helpful when trying to return your digestive system back to normal. Look for a supplement that works as an anti-inflammatory and also contains soothing ingredients. Look for supplements that contain Psyllium, (fiber)  turmeric and ginger root.

The Strong Connection Between Stress And IBS

The Strong Connection Between Stress And IBS

Ever get butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous? Feel the need to pee before a big speech or performance? These are well-known symptoms that show a link between your gut feeling and your mental state. Researchers have found a link between worsening IBS symptoms and an increase of the amount of anxiety or stress in a person’s life.

A disorder in the large intestine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not uncommon, especially in women aged 45 and under. Symptoms for IBS include cramping, constipation and/or diarrhea, and general abdominal discomfort. However, stress can stimulate your digestive system, leading to uncomfortable bowel movements. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach or cramping you may feel when you’re nervous is your brain telling your gut to work – even if it’s overworking. Other times, a stress response causes your brain signals to be unresponsive, resulting in your stomach to digest slowly. This leads to side effects like cramps, constipation and gas.

Stress and anxiety are under the category of mental disorders; there are at least 40% – 60%  of people diagnosed these disorders who also have IBS. Constipation and/or diarrhea worsen when stressful situations occur in someone’s life, like a breakup, a major life change, or a trauma. This occurs because stress affects your biological functions, such as reducing blood flow especially in the intestines, and inflaming your immune system. With an increase of stress, these symptoms become more severe, triggering a possible flare-up of IBS.

The Unending Cycle: Suffering From IBS Leads to Stress

Without the added symptom of anxiety, suffering from IBS is tough. Especially when it is untreated, IBS disrupts your life, causes you pain, ruins your appetite and decreases your overall quality of life. The problems of IBS can even cause your body to go into a stress response. When you go into a stress response, hormones are released into your system. One hormone in particular, called CRF, maintains the activity in your stomach, but if it is overstimulated, it can worsen inflammatory symptoms. These hormones also cause an imbalance of intestinal bacteria, leading to IBS symptoms like abdominal pain and cramping, or even triggering the body to develop IBS if it didn’t have it yet.

Treatment

Treatment for IBS takes time because your doctor needs to pin down your symptoms and try out many different medications and diets. After taking your medical history and a stool or blood sample, your doctor can prescribe you with medication according to your needs. Your doctor will also talk to you about changes in your diet and perhaps adding a supplement to your daily routine.

To manage your stress and anxiety, you need to find ways to limit your stress by finding situations that may trigger it and lessen your exposure. Keeping a diary for both food and your mood is essential to track any cycles or patterns that emerge in your life. To reduce your current stress, light exercise like yoga or aerobics is suggested.

4 Tests To Correctly Diagnose Your IBS

4 Tests To Correctly Diagnose Your IBS

IBS is an acronym for Irritable bowel syndrome. It affects your large intestine and its symptoms are cramping, bloating, and uncomfortable bowel movements. IBS goes undiagnosed in a lot of the population, as it is hard to diagnose. Mostly women 45 years old or younger are diagnosed with IBS: about 60% of people being treated for IBS are women. Although no definite reason has been found to cause IBS, there are several tests that you can do to rule out other diseases like colon cancer.

Stool Tests

You know already that any of these tests for IBS will be uncomfortable, strange, and a little embarrassing. However, if you keep in mind that this will help you feel better and keep your colon functioning normally, it will help keep your mind calm when going through any of these tests. Not all tests will be recommended to you; sometimes you’ll only need one or two tests.

The most common and helpful test to diagnose IBS is a stool test. This can be done at your home and you do not need more than a walnut-sized piece to give back to the doctor. Doctors can see the nutrients you may or may not be absorbing, and see possible signs of infection through the presence of parasites or blood.

Blood Tests

Blood work is done to look for celiac disease, which is the body’s inability to digest gluten. Celiac disease actually ruins the guy and intestines, so you have to be careful of your diet if you are diagnosed. If ruled out, you can rest easy knowing that IBS does not damage your intestines.

Colonoscopy

The most common reason of doing a colonoscopy is to look for colon cancer. However, this is not usually done with patients with IBS; a test is usually administered if someone in your family has had colon cancer, and if you are over the age of 50. You must prepare for a colonoscopy by sticking to a liquid diet for a few days before the procedure, and take laxatives before, as well. During the procedure, the doctor will insert a small camera into your rectum and check the lining of your colon and your large intestine.

Lactose Intolerance Tests

Being lactose intolerant has many of the same symptoms of IBS: gas, bloating, diarrhea and discomfort in your abdomen. Sometimes a person may have both IBS and lactose intolerance at the same time. To check if you are lactose intolerant, there are two tests you can do. One is called a breath-test, where you drink a beverage containing lactose, and afterwards, you blow up around eight medical bags every fifteen minutes. These bags are then tested for raised levels of hydrogen, which occurs when undigested lactose sits in the colon.

To Sum Up

Getting tested for IBS may be a long process with some uncomfortable tests, but it is worth it to undergo a few days of discomfort to find a correct diagnosis. There are many medications, diets and supplements on the market that can help you and improve your quality of life, so undergoing a test is the best solution for you.

Identifying What Type Of IBS You Have

Identifying What Type Of IBS You Have

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder based in the large intestine. It is treatable and manageable, but undiagnosed, it can make your life unpleasant and even unmanageable. IBS is not easy to treat as there are a variety of symptoms that vary from person to person. Occuring at any time of the day, IBS symptoms may worsen after eating a certain food or if you’re undergoing a lot of stress. These are called flare-ups, which means your symptoms are worse than usual.

Some symptoms of IBS include:

  • bloating
  • stomach cramping
  • constipation
  • diarrhea

There are three different kinds of IBS, which come with their own individual symptoms and treatments. Here is a short description of each type and possible ways to diminish your symptoms.

IBS with Constipation

IBS is diagnosed by the kinds of stool you pass, so noticing the constituency and pain you may feel helps your doctor the best way to treat you. The kind of IBS that includes mostly constipation is known as IBS-C. Stools are hard and painful and difficult to pass more than 25% of the time.

To relieve IBS-C symptoms, consider changing your diet, taking medication and even adding a supplement. High-fiber foods are especially helpful in softening your stools. Some of these foods include beans, peas, cauliflower, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal.

Besides laxatives, you can take a supplement to help relieve any inflammation and also soothe your stomach. Look for supplements with Psyllium for an additional amount of fiber, while supplements that also contain ginger root and fennel oil help eliminate stomach cramps.

IBS with Diarrhea

Another type of IBS is IBS-D, which is diagnosed by loose stools for over 25% of the time. Mucus may also be found in your stool, as well. This type can be triggered by eating spicy foods or dairy, but may occur with no clear outside influence. It is recommended to go on a low-fiber diet if you have IBS-D. Low-fiber foods include fish, peanut butter, eggs, white rice and lean meats like poultry. It is also advisable to cut out dairy from your diet, including milk, cream, cheese and ice cream.

There are several kinds of medications prescribed to help treat IBS, including antibiotics. Others include dietary supplements that you can take for IBS-C can be taken along with these medications, which may help relieve pain, cramping and gas.

Mixed Type

The third kind of IBS is called IBS-M, for “mixed type.” This means that there is no consistent bowel movement symptoms but it alters between diarrhea and constipation, along with stomach cramping, gas, and general abdominal pain. Treatment for this kind is the most difficult because symptoms change so much with no warning. Here, it is suggested you go on an elimination diet, where you slowly cut out certain foods for a week or two to find possible trigger foods that cause flare-ups. Both kinds of medications should be on hand as well.

Diagnosis and Treatment

To be properly diagnosed, IBS symptoms should occur for over a period of six months. There are several tests that your doctor could give you to narrow down the type of IBS you may have. Some tests that are most commonly given are blood tests, stool tests, x-rays of your colon and even a colonoscopy.

Common IBS Symptoms in Men and Women

Common IBS Symptoms in Men and Women

It is estimated that IBS effects anywhere from 25 to 45 million Americans with two-thirds of them being women. Most patients with IBS will not seek treatment and which leaves a big gap in the data available on IBS. Symptoms can vary according to each person and they can be triggered by eating certain foods or from maintaining a certain lifestyle. Although many symptoms of IBS will be the same for both men and women, some can vary. Continue reading to learn more about the varied symptoms.

General Symptoms That Affect Both Men and Women

Although more men than women report symptoms of IBS, the following is a list of the most common IBS symptoms shared by both men and women:

  • Increased or decrease the number of bowel movements
  • Stools that have mucus, liquid or are watery
  • Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Lower back pain
  • Upset stomach after eating a meal
  • Nausea
  • Bloating, gas and/or pain

Research shows that men are less likely than women to report their symptoms which makes it hard to collect gender-specific data about varying symptoms. For some IBS patients, symptoms will be constant but for others, they come in cycles. In order to be diagnosed with IBS, symptoms must occur at least three days every month.

IBS Symptoms in Women

Many women with IBS will generally be diagnosed past the age of puberty in their childbearing years. Research has found that women with IBS will also report gynecologic problems. Women will have varied symptoms according to their menstrual cycles. Before and during their period women diagnosed with IBS will report experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea. Around halfway through their cycle, around day fourteen, women will report experiencing increased bloat and constipation. Women diagnosed with IBS are more likely to experience the following symptoms than men:

  • Fatigue
  • Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
  • Sensitivity to foods
  • Amplified symptoms of PMS
  • Cramping
  • Backaches
  • Painful cramps during menstruation

Approximately one-third of women during pregnancy will report experiencing increased heartburn, nausea and constipation than from when they were not pregnant. It is believed that symptoms of IBS occur because of the pressure of the fetus against the internal organs.

IBS Symptoms in Men

Research has shown that men are less likely to report their symptoms of IBS than women. This makes it hard to gather data regarding the different symptoms of IBS in men and women. Studies indicate that because of hormonal differences, men can be less sensitive to symptoms of IBS. Men with IBS can experience issues with sexual intimacy and are likely to suffer from depression.

Studies show that IBS has similar symptoms on both men and women and can affect both in similar ways. Although it has not been scientifically verified, it is expected for pregnant women to experience in IBS flare-ups during pregnancy and menstruation. Needless to say, if you are a man or woman and are experiencing symptoms of IBS, talk to your doctor in order to get diagnosed and to come up with a plan to get relief from your symptoms.