What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects how the bowel and digestive system works. IBS can cause pain and significant discomfort in the stomach, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The distress can affect your quality of life, making it vital to manage IBS properly.
It impacts around 10% to 15% of the population, often emerging between the ages of 20 and 40. It can come and go throughout a person’s life. Managing IBS involves a combination of dietary changes, medications, and psychological support. The condition varies greatly from person to person, so a tailored approach is essential.
IBS can have a large impact on people’s mental health, causing a lot of worry and stress. It’s important to manage this alongside the physical symptoms. Guidance published by NICE has shown that there is good evidence of the benefits of hypnotherapy for IBS.
IBS is twice as common in women as in men
1 in 20 in the UK have IBS
Psychological distress often co-occurs with IBS, directly influencing its development
Stress is a significant factor in triggering IBS symptoms, with nearly 60% of sufferers reporting stress as a main trigger
What causes IBS?
IBS is a complex condition often triggered by disruptions in the gut-brain connection, known as the gut-brain axis. This miscommunication can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits. In some cases, IBS develops after an intestinal infection, known as post infectious IBS.
Stress plays a significant role in worsening IBS symptoms, heightening the sensitivity of the intestines. Additionally, altered gut bacteria, food intolerances, and certain medications can contribute to the condition. Hormonal changes, such as those during menstruation, as well as conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, may also increase the likelihood of developing IBS.
The symptoms and effects
The symptoms of IBS vary widely between different people, both in intensity and duration. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation.
These symptoms can severely disrupt your daily activities. You might find it harder to cope with life’s challenges and avoid social situations, especially events like a meal out.
IBS can also lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression, which can make your condition worse. It may affect your ability to work, strain relationships, and result in financial burdens due to healthcare costs and missed workdays. Understanding and addressing the emotional and physical impact of IBS is crucial for improving your overall wellbeing.
How can it be managed?
Diet
Identifying trigger foods can help to reduce your symptoms. These will vary from person to person and could be whole food groups, like dairy or gluten, or more specific foods.
A balanced diet, gradually increasing your fibre intake and maintaining regular meals will also contribute to better digestive health. Limit your caffeine intake to around 3 cups of tea or coffee a day. Don’t skip meals and avoid leaving long gaps between them.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and good sleep habits, are beneficial. It’s important to find ways to relax and stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness and yoga can help.
Medication
Medication treatments for IBS are recommended based on the type of symptoms and how severe they are. You might be prescribed antispasmodics, loperamide or laxatives.
Gut Directed Therapies
If you’ve been struggling with IBS symptoms for more than a year, then therapeutic options could help. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and gut directed hypnotherapy have been shown to help people with IBS manage psychological triggers. More than 60% of IBS sufferers see long-term improvement after hypnotherapy.
Working closely with a healthcare provider to develop a personalised treatment plan is essential. By addressing both physical and emotional factors, you can significantly improve your quality of life.
How can hypnotherapy help treat IBS?
Hypnotherapy for IBS is a powerful tool for managing the condition. Recommended by NICE, it addresses the miscommunication between the gut and the brain. Gut directed hypnotherapy helps reduce nerve hypersensitivity, which offers relief from symptoms like bloating and pain. Studies show that hypnotherapy can achieve up to a 95% success rate in treating classic IBS cases.
During a hypnotherapy session, relaxation techniques help access your subconscious mind. This enables you to reshape how your gut responds to stress. By promoting relaxation and emotional balance, hypnotherapy for IBS eases physical symptoms and improves your mental wellbeing. Most people find significant relief after six or more sessions.
Solution focused hypnotherapy for IBS offers a holistic approach that focuses on the root causes of IBS. It promotes long-term symptom relief and helps you regain control of your digestive health. Through hypnotherapy you can enjoy a better quality of life, free from the debilitating effects of IBS.
Our IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Emma Bancroft
Rainham, Kent
Emma Treby
Mid Devon
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
