Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) includes symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhoea. It can be managed using a number of dietary strategies such as fibre modification, elimination diets, modifying fluid intake and non dietary strategies such as stress management and exercise. All our Dietitians can assist you with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Our Dietitian Nicole Rodda has also completed the Monash University Low FODMAP Diet Dietitian endorsement course.
What are FODMAPs?
FODMAPs are a group of short chain carbohydrates that can exacerbate IBS symptoms. A Low FODMAP diet has been shown to improve IBS symptoms in over 70% of people with IBS. It is important to note that a Low FODMAP diet is not intended to be life long and may have implications on gut health if it is followed strictly long term. Our Dietitians can work with you to provide a structured low FODMAP diet that includes as many foods as possible and aims to reintroduce foods back into your diet as soon as possible.
What about fibre?
There are two key types of fibre when it comes to managing IBS symptoms: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble Fibre: A type of fibre that dissolves in water making softer, gel like stools. It can assist with constipation by creating softer stools and may assist with diarrhoea by slowing down and thickening your stools.
Insoluble fibre: A type of fibre that adds bulk to your stools, increasing the transit time of your stool, and therefore improving constipation.
To obtain optimum gut health, it's important to have balance of these fibres. Our Dietitians may suggest you increase or decrease your fibre intake to manage your symptoms.
Fluid intake:
It is important that you have adequate fluid intake for optimum bowel health. For those with constipation, this may be especially important. Greensborough Nutrition Dietitians will be able to advise whether your fluid intake is sufficient.
Complimentary and Non Prescription Medicine and Supplements that may be helpful for some people with IBS.
Ask your dietitian if complimentary therapies are likely to improve your symptom frequency and severity. Common supplements used in IBS care include:
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Peppermint oil
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Probiotics
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Prebiotics
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Iberogast
At Greensborough Nutrition, our Dietitians will work with you to utilise the approach that will suit you and your symptoms most appropriately, to promote symptom relief.
