Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder with symptoms of cramps, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation., changes in bowel habits or food sensitivities.
It affects the large intestine and is a chronic condition. Also known as IBS, it can often be managed with diet, lifestyle changes and stress management such as incorporating mindfulness, but medication may be necessary for severe symptoms.
A functional or integrative medicine approach will assess possible underlying causes or contributing factors to Irritable Bowel Syndrome which, when corrected, may help improve the condition. Complementary therapies such as meditation or mindfulness can only improve outcomes with a chronic condition such as IBS. Other therapies for the management of IBS may include dietary changes, medication, supplements, stress management, and more.
Therapies for IBS
Functional medicine approach: Root causes commonly identified in IBS
- Dysbiosis or microbiome imbalance in the digestive tract
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Food intolerances (gluten, dairy, FODMAPs)
- Stress-gut axis dysregulation
Typical interventions include:
- Elimination diets (often low-FODMAP initially)
- Gut repair nutrients (glutamine, zinc carnosine)
- Targeted probiotics
- Stress and vagus nerve regulation
- Mindfulness and/or meditation therapy
It may be difficult to determine what causes this condition in an individual, and the condition is often chronic and will need to be managed long-term.
Mindfulness May Help
Mindfulness may show improvements in those with irritable bowel syndrome. This study published in Neurogastroenterology & Motility and summarized in Science Daily suggests:
“In the study, 53 women and 15 men with irritable bowel syndrome participated in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction class. Most participants experienced significant improvements from pretreatment to 3 months follow up regarding gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and anxiety related to gastrointestinal symptoms. Although increases in 3 of the 5 measured facets of mindfulness were found, increases in the ability to stay in the present moment and act with awareness seemed especially important.”
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