What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, often presenting as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and/or constipation. As suggested by its common names such as ‘sensitive gut’, ‘spastic colon’ or ‘nervous colon’, it is caused by spasm and increased sensitivity of the intestines. It affects up to one in five people and is more common in women. Although symptoms can worsen over time and affect life quality significantly, it is not fatal and does not increase risk of colon cancer.
Based on the accompanying bowel movements, IBS can be broadly categorized into three subtypes:
IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Mainly hard and lumpy stools
IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D): Mainly loose and watery stools
IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): Alternating constipation and diarrhoea
What are the common symptoms of IBS?
While the symptoms and severity of IBS can vary greatly between each individual, most patients with IBS report one or more of the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain or cramps, usually in the lower abdomen
Excess gas or bloating
Diarrhoea, constipation or alternating between the two
Toilet urgency
A feeling of incomplete emptying of bowels
However, should your altered bowel habits be accompanied with the following red flag indicators, please seek medical help to exclude other possible underlying medical conditions:
60-year-old and above
Family history of bowel or ovarian cancer
Rectal bleeding
Nausea or vomiting
Unexplained or unintentional weight loss
Abdominal, rectal or pelvic masses
Anaemia
Raised inflammatory markers
How can I manage IBS?
As the exact cause of IBS remains largely unknown, there is currently no cure. However, it has been found to be related to diet, emotional stress, past gut inflammation, and family history. Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way to keep the condition under control:
Dietary changes: Avoid known food triggers, oily and spicy food. Limit lactose intake. Increase fibre consumption, and hydrate adequately.
Active lifestyle: Exercise moderately on a regular basis.
Stress management: Try relaxation techniques or cultivate healthy hobbies.
Healthy lifestyle: Avoid smoking or drinking.
Lifestyle interventions may require some time to take effect, so it is important to be patient and consistent with these modifications. If the symptoms are still affecting your quality of life, medications can help manage symptoms temporarily while you slowly incorporate these lifestyle changes into your daily schedule.
On top of lifestyle modifications, TCM has also been shown to be able to regulate gastrointestinal functions, and is therefore effective in managing IBS. Acupuncture and herbal medications are the most common interventions.
Although acupuncture intervention requires professional expertise, daily acupressure massage can also help to reduce IBS symptoms. Massage the following acupoints for 10-15 minutes, twice a day.
CV-12 Zhong Wan: Midpoint between the tip of the sternum and the belly button
CV-10 Xia Wan: Midpoint between Zhong Wan and the belly button
ST-25 Tian Shu: 2 inches to the sides of the belly button
CV-6 Qi Hai: 1.5 inch below the belly button
LI-10 Shou San Li: On the forearm, 2 inches (3 fingers-width) below the outer end of the elbow crease
ST-36 Zu San Li: On the outer shin, 3 inches (4 fingers-width) below the knee
Another recommendation is food therapy. Below are two recipes that are simple to prepare and yet effective in long-term management.
Eight treasure porridge (Suitable for IBS patients with diarrhoea)
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