Unfortunately there are no tests that provide information that gives you a clear diet direction in IBS. That is because there is no clear physiological mechanism known to be at fault in IBS. Diet options for IBS is still a new area for dietetics. It is rather like diet and migraine, another symptom where the problem physiological mechanism is not known. From my clinical research they are both symptoms that occur in food sensitive people. Another symptom is eczema which does have some allergic … [Read more...]
Colonscopy prep drink reaction
Lyn had a very bad reaction to the colonscopy preparation drink with severe headache which took days to resolve. The Lavage solution has a strong artificial flavour. Usually you are recommended one pack of Picolax and one pack of ColonLYTELY. The Picolax is only available as Lemon but the ColonLYTELY can be obtained without flavour. You do need to discuss this issue with the nurse who advises you before the procedure. Each practice is different. It is wise to let staff know a month before that … [Read more...]
Lauren’s IBS story
Lauren’s story shows how individual IBS can be. “I am thankful I have had help. The diet detection process offered practical advice at a time when I was at a real loss with what I could actually eat. I now know that everyone has their own food sensitivity symptoms. Some of mine were quite unusual and had really bothered me for years. I had nausea every morning, a burning band of hotness from the waist around the back, after some meals, generally feeling unwell, with bloating and lots of wind. I … [Read more...]
Are you a good re-absorber or a poor re-absorber in your gut?
My wonderful colleague Ashleigh Jones and I presented a workshop for Queensland dietitians on, “If not FODMAPs, then what?” We presented how diet investigation in IBS can be personalised right from the start by noting what symptoms and what suspect foods each person has. It was wonderful to see so many dietitians interested in diet investigation. After 40 years of work and research it is inspiring to know so many are engaged in this interesting area of dietetics. We were able to tell stories of … [Read more...]
Diet and IBS – what can you do?
There is no one diet that is just what you do for IBS. It is a whole process of investigation to find the diet that is just the right one for you. Diet Detective Work is not just a gimmick. It is a scientific and practical way to find what symptoms change and how much, so the effort is worthwhile. It would be great if it was a clear diet and you could get diet sheets and solve it quickly. Here I will summarise the steps. The easy to read detail is in Are You Food Sensitive? Write down … [Read more...]
There are two diet directions for IBS. How do you decide if you might be FODMAPS intolerant, or food chemical intolerant?
When you are diagnosed with IBS you may think that everyone with IBS has similar symptoms, but each person’s pattern of IBS is individual. That individual pattern can give you clues as to the diet direction to take. Symptoms Where bloating is present FODMAPS intolerance must be considered. Your bloating may be followed by distressing distension which may increase until pain spasms occur. Bloating really interferes with your life as you need to cope with variation in clothes sizing over a … [Read more...]
Stories of IBS food sensitive patients.
Patients ring to make an appointment saying they wonder if food is involved. Some are fairly sure that some foods are connected to their symptoms, but not always, and excluding those foods has not solved the problems. They may report that if they stay on their usual at-home food they have few symptoms, but if they dine out they often have symptoms afterwards. Others connect symptoms to spice, or what they call “rich food” or to high fat foods. Yet when they reflect if they get symptoms after … [Read more...]