Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. It's a chronic condition that requires long-term management and can vary in severity from one person to the next. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and constipation.
But, IBS can manifest in less familiar ways that many might not associate with the condition. Understanding these unique symptoms is crucial for recognising IBS and taking steps towards managing gut health.
Here are just a few of the less common ways IBS can manifest itself:
Fatigue and Difficulty Sleeping: Constant tiredness and difficulty sleeping might not be the first symptoms you link to IBS. However, the discomfort and pain caused by IBS can lead to significant sleep troubles, resulting in chronic exhaustion.
Loss of Appetite: While not as common, nausea and a lack of appetite can occasionally be symptoms of IBS, likely due to the discomfort and bloating associated with the condition.
Urinary Symptoms: IBS can sometimes affect urinary frequency, urgency, or cause a sensation of incomplete emptying. These symptoms are due to the proximity of the bowel and bladder and the shared nerve pathways.
Halitosis: Though surprising, IBS can lead to bad breath due to altered gut microbiota and potential issues with digestion.
Joint Pain: Some individuals report experiencing non-inflammatory joint pain alongside their IBS symptoms, though the connection is not entirely clear.
Headaches: Frequent headaches or migraines can sometimes accompany IBS, potentially due to gut-brain axis interactions.
Skin Irritations: Certain skin conditions, such as eczema or rosacea, may flare up in individuals with IBS, suggesting a link between gut health and skin health.
Brain Fog: This refers to feelings of mental confusion or lack of mental clarity and can be associated with IBS, possibly due to the gut's influence on cognitive functions through the gut-brain axis.
Mood Disturbances: IBS can impact mental health, leading to mood swings, depression, or anxiety. The gut-brain connection plays a significant role in these psychological symptoms.
Food Intolerance: Many individuals with IBS find certain foods can trigger their symptoms, especially those high in FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, And Polyols), such as gluten. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can be key to managing IBS.
At Supply Life, our team is committed to helping our customers uncover the mysteries of their gut health. Our award-winning food intolerance test, conducted at our CE-marked laboratory in Cambridge, employs advanced microarray technology to analyse your sample. Within just seven days, you can receive a comprehensive blueprint that reveals what your gut has been trying to tell you.
