Do you have bloating, wind or pain?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
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IBS is a common digestive condition. It is often diagnosed when you have a combination of symptoms including abdominal pain or discomfort, wind, bloating and a change in bowel habit such as regular diarrhoea or frequent constipation. You can also have these symptoms without a diagnosis of IBS.
These symptoms affect up to 1 in 5 people, frequently women. Medical experts think IBS is related to increased gut sensitivity or altered digestive function. It can develop after a stomach bug, antibiotics or a time of extreme stress. Certain foods or the menstrual cycle might make symptoms worse. IBS can make daily life difficult and lead to more stress, increasing your digestive discomfort.
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Can IBS cause another disease? IBS is not a precursor to digestive disease. However, bowel cancer is common in Australia and can be misdiagnosed as IBS. If you have any change in bowel habit that lasts two weeks or longer, please see your GP. Adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can help reduce your bowel cancer risk. Ask Kym for more information.
Understanding your gut
Your gastrointestinal tract is made up of 7 organs: the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, oesophagus, pancreas and gallbladder. Each plays a unique role. Gut health simply means how well your digestive system is breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, protecting you from pathogens and removing waste. A healthy gut can support your wider physical and mental health, as well as your digestion.
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Registered with Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
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Full member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition
and Nutritional Therapy (BANT)
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Health professional advisor and Board Trustee at Bowel Cancer UK
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Public health professional, advising on health and behaviour change
Achievable ways to manage bloating and IBS with diet
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Small shifts in your diet and eating habits can have a positive impact on your digestive health, especially when they consider your lifestyle, the cause of your symptoms and how you react to different foods. A healthy gut can better absorb nutrients from the food you eat, to help you maintain good health.
There are many ways to improve digestive health through food. This includes finding the right type of fibre for you, and eating habits that support your gut. The low FODMAP diet will benefit some people with IBS, bloating, wind and pain. FODMAPs are molecules found in common foods like bread, pulses, milk, honey, fruit and vegetables. If you have a sensitive gut, they can be difficult to digest. Many high FODMAP foods are healthy, so dont avoid them long term. I will help you find your personal tolerance, while maintaining a balanced diet. There are many other strategies we can explore together.
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This is why my nutrition advice is personalised to you. My expert advice is based on the latest evidence and tailored to your needs, helping you safely improve your gut health without sacrificing good food. I can work with your GP or gastroenterologist, and help you integrate healthy eating with positive lifestyle choices like exercise, yoga and relaxation.
Whether you have a diagnosed condition, or your symptoms persist despite the all-clear from your GP, we will find the best way forward for your digestive health.
If you think you have IBS or are experiencing digestive problems, talk to your GP. Medical conditions like endometriosis, coeliac disease and bowel cancer share similar symptoms, and should be ruled out before you change your diet.
Then book in your free discovery call with Kym. Email hello@pipnutrition.com and get ready to take control of your digestive health.