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### Numerous individuals with IBS would sacrifice 10 to 15 years of their life expectancy for an immediate solution to their ailment.

This is based on findings from a study involving nearly 2,000 individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).[^1]

In further studies, those with IBS expressed willingness to use a medication that posed a one percent chance of sudden death if it would alleviate their symptoms[^2]—which may consist of urgent diarrhea, gas, or ongoing constipation.

Some individuals with IBS endure abdominal pain they claim is more intense than childbirth. These episodes can drain focus, disrupt sleep, and impair work efficiency.[^3]

Consequently, many with IBS organize their lives around the necessity of having access to clean and private restrooms. The anxiety of an unexpected flare-up causes some to shy away from restaurants, social gatherings, and even exercising in public.

This pervasive fear has a term—**gastrointestinal-specific anxiety**—and it can impact various aspects from social interactions to overall health. It also accounts for why individuals with IBS report a lower quality of life compared to those with other chronic issues like heart disease, diabetes, and end-stage kidney disease.[^4]

### If you or a client are dealing with IBS, there are strategies to manage it.

PN Super Coach Sarah Maughan, certified by Monash University—a leading authority on the relationship between food sensitivities and IBS—has observed how lifestyle modifications can avert flare-ups, reduce GI anxiety, and empower those with IBS to lead fulfilling lives.

“My aspiration is for everyone with IBS to realize they have choices, whether that means seeking a physician for medication and/or turning to a health coach to explore lifestyle adjustments and how to implement them,” Maughan shares.

In this article, we will hear more from Maughan. Additionally, you’ll discover:

– **What IBS entails**, including *why* it occurs and the various manifestations it can have
– **What your stool can indicate** about the health of your digestive system
– **Five research-supported lifestyle modifications** that can alleviate IBS symptoms
– The most effective method to **identify which foods trigger your or your client’s IBS symptoms** (and which ones are generally considered “safe” to consume)

Moreover, if you’re a health coach, you’ll find out how to assist clients with IBS while maintaining safe boundaries within your professional scope.

### So, what is IBS?

Sometimes known as “spastic colon,” **IBS is the most frequently diagnosed digestive disorder globally, affecting approximately 14 percent of adults.**[^5]

Unlike Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), IBS does not change the structure of the gut. Medical imaging performed by healthcare professionals shows no signs of infections, inflammation, damage to the bowel wall, or other indicators of illness.

In the past, this absence of visible illness led many healthcare providers to believe that IBS was simply psychological. However, more recent perspectives have evolved.

**Experts now recognize IBS as a functional neuro-gastrointestinal disorder.**

This indicates that the nerves connecting the GI tract and the brain do not operate optimally, resulting in the brain sending undue pain signals and disrupting normal bowel functions.

### What are the symptoms of IBS?

Symptoms of IBS can fluctuate, with some individuals enjoying periods of relief lasting months or years only to endure a severe flare-up lasting from hours to weeks.

Additionally, **not everyone with IBS exhibits the same symptoms, complicating the diagnosis of the condition.**

The following illustration depicts the range of symptoms associated with IBS.

### What triggers IBS?

Researchers continue to explore why the gut operates differently for those with IBS. However, several theories have emerged.

**One possibility suggests that the nerve endings in the GI tract may be overly sensitive in individuals with IBS.** This could lead to two distinct sets of symptoms.

▶ **Hypersensitive nerves transmit pain signals to the brain,** prompting individuals with IBS to notice digestive processes that others might not perceive. For example, minor gas bubbles may cause considerable discomfort for someone with IBS, while they may not affect someone without the disorder.

**▶ Overactive nerves can cause GI muscles to contract too forcefully,** resulting in gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Conversely, if they underreact, these same muscles may not contract sufficiently, leading to slower food passage through the intestine and subsequent constipation.

**Another theory attributes disturbances to the gut microbiome**, which may explain why some individuals develop IBS symptoms following a severe gastrointestinal illness like Norovirus.

### How is IBS identified?

If you or your client suspect IBS, consult a qualified health professional.

The symptoms of IBS overlap with various other gastrointestinal disorders and health issues that may necessitate medication, surgery, or medically-supervised lifestyle modifications. These include infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease, and cancer.