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We all tend to get a stomachache from time to time. Chronic abdominal pain is more than just an upset stomach. One of the culprits can be irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. As with any medical symptoms, seek the advice of a medical professional.

Chronic Abdominal Pain Can Be Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

I personally suffer from the chronic abdominal pain that is associated with IBS, I would not wish IBS on my worse enemy. The only way to know for sure if you have IBS is to be diagnosed by a medical professional. Unfortunately, the symptoms can be caused by something else as well. One of those other causes could be GERD or gastroesophageal disease.

Symptoms associated with IBS:

  • Bloating
  • Gas
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Changes in your bowel movements (will get into that in a few minutes)
  • Clear or white mucus in the stool

A lot of people avoid going to the doctor for these symptoms because of the topic of having abdominal issues that effects can be embarrassing. Trust me, doctors have heard/seen more than these issues.

Chronic abdominal pain caused by IBS can be controlled by figuring out what your triggers are.

There are a lot of different triggers, and not everyone has the same exact triggers. I know what my triggers are but I'm a stubborn patient and have a hard time giving up what they are! As I mentioned in the symptoms that there can be changes in your bowel movements. This can be that you have alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea. You can also have bowel movements that feel uncontrollably urgent, difficult to pass, or incomplete. I know I personally feel the pressure of having to go more than normal. If that wasn't bad enough, I have to then hurry up and run to the bathroom sometimes because the cramping turns into an urgency very fast!

Triggers are complicated. There are triggers for both constipation and for diarrhea. A dietary change can help both of those. This is where I become a bad patient.

Diet Triggers for chronic abdominal pain associated with IBS that causes constipation:

  • Bread and cereal made with refined (not whole) grains
  • Processed foods such as chips and cookies
  • Coffee, carbonated drinks, and alcohol
  • High-Protein diet
  • Dairy products, especially cheese

When I learned this I quickly developed a love/hate relationship with my beloved Starbucks and Dr. Pepper. I love them but oh they so do not love me. Cheese is bad too. My husband often says cheese is its own food group in our home. You don't have to avoid these foods altogether. It's all about moderation.

Diet Triggers for the diarrhea portion of chronic abdominal pain associated with IBS:

  • Too much fiber
  • Food and drinks with chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, fructose or sorbitol
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Large meals
  • Fried and fatty foods
  • Dairy products especially in individuals that are lactose intolerant
  • Foods with wheat for people that have a negative reaction to Gluten.

Did you notice there are some of the same on this list as for constipation? What a double whammy right? Chocolate is on this list and I'm a self-proclaimed chocolate-holic.

The medical profession does not really know what causes IBS and the chronic abdominal pain associated with it. Not only are there food triggers, but there are also some lifestyle/personal triggers.

  • Women are more prone to IBS than men. Although why this is the case is not fully known. One theory is the hormonal changes a woman goes through during their menstrual cycle.
  • IBS is more likely to affect people in their teens through their 40s. Does this mean when I turn 50 I'll stop having symptoms? No. *sigh*
  • If you have a family member with IBS you are more prone to develop the illness yourself.
  • Stress is a trigger. Um, who doesn't have stress right? Those that have some sort of mental illness or trauma in their life are more prone to develop IBS. This could be true since I am a caregiver for my BIpolar husband.
  • Food sensitivities
  • Medications: Studies have shown a link between IBS Symptoms and antibiotics, antidepressants and drugs made with sorbitol.

I have stress from caring for my husband and from my own chronic illness of Fibromyalgia.

I hope if you have chronic abdominal pain you take it very seriously and seek the advice of your medical professional. I'd love to talk to you about your experiences with IBS.

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