Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is extremely common, and unfortunately, often goes untreated. The term IBS is frequently used incorrectly to describe a broad range of symptoms by individuals and health practitioners. These include abdominal pain, bloating, irregular bowel habit, poor appetite, food intolerances, nausea, flatulence, belching, noisy tummy, and even fatigue. The symptoms of IBS can be relatively mild, more of an annoyance, through to severe, preventing people from working, caring for their children, or doing the things they enjoy. Despite how debilitating IBS can be, the label can unfortunately be used dismissively, in an attempt to reassure individuals that ‘nothing is really wrong’. Meanwhile, nothing is really done to ease the suffering.

Diagnosed correctly, the main feature of IBS is frequent abdominal pain, accompanied either by hard stool that is difficult to pass, frequent loose stools, or an irregular mix of both. Bloating, unpredictable food intolerances and nausea are common. Stress can be a major factor in how severe these symptoms are, and support with this aspect is an empowering part of a lasting recovery. Problems with severe diarrhoea or constipation alone are not technically ‘IBS’, nor are nausea and food intolerances, but are equally distressing and require specialist input. IBS, abdominal pain, chronic constipation, diarrhoea and incontinence, all relate to the pelvic floor, often unbeknownst to the sufferer, and are best managed within a dedicated multidisciplinary team. Treated sensitively and holistically, at the QLD Pelvic Floor Centre, we have the tools to help you feel better with IBS.

If you would like to see one of our specialised Brisbane physicians for your pelvic floor health, please book an appointment with us at the QLD Pelvic Floor Centre today.