Anxiety and Depression Thanks To IBS

We’ve talked about how high stress levels and anxiety cause IBS but what about the anxiety, high stress level and depression that IBS causes?

It’s really no great mystery why the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome could cause things like a high stress level, depression and anxiety. Think about it, you’re leaving the house to go somewhere that you committed yourself to go to. Then it strikes. Abdominal cramping, feeling bloated, and the dreaded diarrhea. Do you call and cancel AGAIN? Read more

Does High Stress Levels and Anxiety Cause IBS?

Studies are coming out showing people with higher anxiety or stress levels are more likely to be sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome also known as IBS.

How did this discovery come about? There was a study done of 620 patients suffering from Gastroenteritis triggered by a bacterial infection. When these patients participated in the study they were asked to complete a very detailed questionnaire. This consisted of questions regarding their mood, perfectionism, illness beliefs, behaviors and their perceived stress levels.

These patients were rechecked for signs of IBS at 3 and 6 month follow ups. Those who showed the signs at both of those follow ups had showed significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms on their questionnaire. Read more

Rifimax to Treat IBS

What is Rifimax? It is an antibiotic that is now being tested to treat IBS. This antibiotic is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it stays in the intestine killing bacteria before passing through the digestive tract.

About 40 percent of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients that used Rifimax in this test saw a major improvement in symptoms. The Rifimax is taken for about 10 days, but the effects of the antibiotic can last up to a year. After that time the patient would take another 10 day dose. Read more

The Perfect IBS Diet?

Unfortunately there is no perfect IBS diet out there. In fact, we know that foods do not cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome they only aggravate the symptoms in some sufferers.

But there must be some sort of diet that can be followed! There is. What any IBS patient needs to be aware of is what effect certain foods have on the gut in general. There are foods that are known to cause diarrhea and cramping such as foods high in fat, alcohol, coffee (even decaf), fried foods, caffeine. These should be avoided as much as possible. Read more