Do People With Autoimmune Diseases Need More Sleep
The average person with an autoimmune disease does not need more than the recommended hours of sleep, says Hall. Problems arise when they cannot complete these hours because of their symptoms.
Could IBS be ruining your sleep? Learn about the connection between IBS and sleep and how to get better shuteye when you have this condition.
Focus On Your Mental Health
Stress isnt good for our physical or mental health, but it can also lead to IBS and fatigue. Lowering your stress levels will help you in so many impactful ways. Self-care and mental health care are both important to reduce stress, gut health issues, and fatigue.
Meditation is a great way to relieve stress by easing anxiety and worries. The stillness achieved in meditation helps support energy, focus, and hormone levels, along with your IBS symptoms.
Time management is also key for stress management.
Adrenal Fatigue And Ibs The Hidden Connection
The term Adrenal Fatigue might have been thrown around a lot lately but that doesnt mean the actual condition isnt very real and very debilitating. While IBS-type symptoms let you know that your digestive system isnt happy, the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue make you feel like you are falling off a cliff. You are tired, completely worn out and cant retain your usual energy levels, no matter what you do. Through my own journey, and those of my clients, with both Adrenal Fatigue and IBS, Ive learnt a lot about the often overlooked connection between these two misunderstood conditions. So, bringing awareness to this is pretty close to my heart and something you need to know if you are suffering.
Me, on the Inca Trail heading up to Dead Womans Pass, feeling exactly as the name suggests. I dont really recommend adventure hiking holidays while suffering from Adrenal Fatigue and IBS, digestive issues and a generally run-down immune system, but I had no idea what was going on with my body at the time. Photo credit: Jesse Lindemann
With that in mind, heres what well be covering:> What is Adrenal Fatigue and what does it have to do with stress?> Six warning signs that you may be suffering from Adrenal Fatigue> The connection between Adrenal Fatigue and IBS> How to get tested for both adrenal dysfunction and the underlying root cause> How to reverse Adrenal Fatigue naturally
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Fatigue With Ibs Flare
Just having to deal with regular IBS symptoms can cause fatigue. Seriously, anyone who has just had a flare-up will likely just want to go to bed and rest.
Flare-ups in particular can drain SO much of our energy, which is why doing what you can to stop flare-ups will progressively get you your energy back.
Once you know your IBS triggers, you will have the choice of avoiding them. Or of releasing them altogether. Thats what got me my vitality back!
Practical Tips To Reduce Ibs Fatigue
So what do you do if you find yourself listless and weary?
- Take care of the basics first eat a balanced, healthy diet and get some exercise in the fresh air.
- Avoid screens at least an hour before bed as the stimulation and light can keep you awake. If you have to use your phone, laptop or tablet use the night light or blue shade setting to warm the colors on-screen.
- Quitting smoking can help both your sleep and your bowels as nicotine is a stimulant.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue can help patients feel more in control of their symptoms and provide you with some useful coping strategies. Its a form of talking treatment that can help you build up your activities carefully and address your behaviors and thinking to cultivate a more positive outlook.
Check for a Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency
Recent research has shown that a lack of vitamin D may be common in IBS sufferers and a lack of this vitamin could also cause a lack of energy.
Deficiency may be caused by our lifestyles as vitamin D is made naturally when we go out in the sun, so if you spend all day indoors or live somewhere gloomy, you could consider taking a supplement.
The recommended daily dose of vitamin D in the USA is 600IU for anyone up to the age of 70 and 800IU for those over 70, although some organizations recommend higher amounts.
Other nutrients necessary for energy include iron and vitamin B12 these deficiencies can be picked up by a simple blood test.
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Possible Ways The Conditions Are Connected
So, whats the connection between the two conditions? Dr. Chang says that many factors may contribute to the development of both conditions. Here are some possible scenarios.
1. Post-infectious syndromes IBS sometimes develops after a stomach bug or food poisoning, says Chang. Likewise, chronic fatigue syndrome has been seen in people after a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. In fact, in chronic fatigue, one of the biggest theories is that some sort of infection is causing the symptoms, she says.
Studies from Norway have linked Giardia infection, or giardiasis, with both the development of IBS and CFS. The most recent study, published in 2018 in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, tracked what happened after the parasite got into the water supply in Bergen, Norway, in 2004. In total, more than 1,200 exposed patients had confirmed giardiasis, causing diarrhea, stomach pain, and other intestinal problems, that was traced back to the outbreak. The long-term study followed nearly 600 individuals who recovered from the infection and compared their health with people who had not been infected. At the 10-year mark, 43 percent of the exposed individuals had developed IBS, compared with just 14 percent of those who had not been affected. CFS was reported in 26 percent of the infected group, compared with 11 percent of the others.
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Causes Of Fatigue In Ibs
By: Anna|Published on: Nov 2, 2021|Categories: IBS|
If you have IBS you may also experience fatigue. In fact around 60% of people with IBS experience extreme exhaustion, and fatigue is the third most common non-digestive complaint.
This is more than just tiredness, its feeling weak, ill and completely lacking in energy, and its something I see in my clients a lot.
Here are ten common causes of fatigue in IBS.
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Ibs Symptoms In Females
Some people also experience white mucus in their stool and incomplete evacuation, which is a feeling that a bowel movement has not finished.
These symptoms can affect anyone with IBS. However,
A flare-up in symptoms at this time may be due to an overlap between IBS and premenstrual syndrome . PMS is a collection of symptoms that many females experience before their period, whether they have IBS or not. Bloating, bowel habit changes, and cramping are common PMS symptoms .
However, it is also possible that the hormonal changes that occur before a period aggravate IBS. The medical term for this is premenstrual exacerbation.
Other hormonal shifts such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause may also impact IBS symptoms.
In addition to some differences in symptoms, females may be more likely than males to experience certain complications of IBS. These include:
What Can Be Done To Help
To help support the stomach initially, I often recommend people try a digestive bitters remedy such as one made with the herb Yarrow. Of course, if you’re able to incorporate bitter foods in their whole form into the start of your meals, that’s absolutely brilliant, a good alternative. But tinctures made from bitter herbs are often especially convenient. Hold the bitter tincture in your mouth for a few seconds, and take this 3 times daily, 5-10 minutes before eating.
By supporting your digestion you may be able to help support the uptake of a number of nutrients we need to help keep us feeling energized. Iron, the B vitamins including vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, zinc and vitamin D just to name a few, are all important for supporting our energy levels and reducing symptoms of tiredness or fatigue. Many of these nutrients can be found in our Balance Mineral Drink.
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Fibromyalgia Symptoms You Should Know
Fibromyalgia, commonly referred to as fibro, is a painful condition that increases the bodys sensitivity to sensation, causing pain. Because this condition cannot be diagnosed by traditional tests, it can sometimes be difficult for patients to receive a definitive diagnosis. Doctors rely on the presence of symptoms to determine if the patient may have fibromyalgia.
If you experience pain and tenderness on a regular basis, but cant explain it, it is possible you may have fibromyalgia. Your doctor can discuss your symptoms with you and investigate other causes or potential treatments for your pain. Here are some of the common symptoms that can indicate fibromyalgia.
Demystifying The Link Between Ibs And Fatigue
Irritable bowel syndrome affects as many as 10 to 15 percent of American adults, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, and its symptoms â namely stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and fatigue â can dramatically affect quality of life.
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Even so, IBS fatigue tends to get overlooked because there can be so many other reasons to feel tired, says William J. Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist in Mount Pleasant, S.C. and author of the forthcoming book Fiber Fueled.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Fibromyalgia And Cfs
Fibromyalgia , chronic fatigue syndrome , and irritable bowel syndrome frequently go together. No one really knows why, but we do know that all three conditions can include imbalances of the chemical serotonin, although in FMS and ME/CFS its an imbalance in the brain, while with IBS its in the gut.
Like FMS and ME/CFS, IBS by itself can be debilitating and can impose a lot of restrictions on your diet and lifestyle. Anything that causes pain or stresses in your body can exacerbate FMS/ME/CFS symptoms, so its especially important to treat your IBS. With some effort, IBS symptoms typically can be well managed.
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Other Potential Causes Of Fatigue
But of course, IBS isnt the only cause of fatigue. It happens from a number of other causes, ranging from lifestyle choices to hormones and even other serious and underlying health issues.
Lifestyle factors like alcohol use, certain medications, and lack of physical activity can all leave you feeling tired and drained. Your nutrition matters a lot as well, so eating a poor overall diet could also be hurting your alertness. For example, deficiencies of the nutrients Vitamin B12 and iron have both been linked to anemia, a condition in which your red blood cells arent able to carry enough oxygen to your cells. This can manifest itself as fatigue and weakness.
Fatigue could also be a clue that youre dealing with a hormonal imbalance. Hormones are your bodys chemical messengers. Theyre involved in a ton of actions in cells and systems throughout your entire body, so they can leave you feeling especially off when levels are too low or too high. Take your thyroid hormones: theyre key drivers for your metabolism and energy, so feeling unexplainably tired all the time can sometimes be a clue that youre dealing with low thyroid levels.
Cortisol, your stress hormone produced by your adrenal gland, could also be playing into your tiredness some people theorize that when youre constantly stressed out and pumping out cortisol, your adrenal glands eventually cant keep up with the demand, ultimately leading to adrenal fatigue.
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Start Cooking Gut Friendly Meals
Those with IBS and chronic fatigue need to make it appoint that they cook all their own meals. By cooking all your own meals, the risk of consuming food items that will inflame the intestines and make fatigue worse lessens significantly. This means taking the time out to prepare all your own meals at home.
Knowing the struggle that comes with creating healthy recipes that are gut friendly, we went ahead and created our Intestinal Health Cookbook. The sole purpose of this cookbook was to give those suffering with IBS and digestive disorders delicious and healthy recipes that are extremely gut friendly. Our cookbook can be a real game changer for those worried about sticking to a proper IBS diet.
Luckily, with over 20 different recipes, you dont have to worry about not being satiated and left hungry the recipes in our cookbook are extremely nutritious and gut friendly!
Salt your Food
If your following a low salt diet and are suffering from IBS and chronic fatigue, we highly recommend you rethink your decision to do so. We will be the first to admit table salt is toxic and poisonous to the body. However, this is not the case for unprocessed natural sea salts such as Celtic sea salt.
Real sea salt contain 84 minerals which can help in numerous biological functions in the body. These minerals also are potent electrolytes and can naturally improve energy levels in the body. Its not uncommon for individuals who follow a low salt diet to experience a sudden d
Your Lifestyle And Diet Play A Role
Figuring out the cause of fatigue starts with evaluating your lifestyle, like sleep, exercise, energy, and diet.
You need to assess your lifestyle. Whats weighing on you, how are you spending your time, and whats stressing you out? Being stressed and focused on your IBS symptoms can actually increase fatigue.
IBS also causes a lot of anxiety surrounding food, but you need to nourish your body in order to avoid fatigue.
When your body doesnt have enough food, it cant create the energy it needs, which leaves you feeling tired and foggy. This also impacts your blood sugar and makes it inconsistent, which leaves you feeling a lack of energy. Nutrient deficiencies can also impact your energy levels.
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Ibs
Persistent fatigue that lasts for over six months and isnt better when you rest could be CFS. If youre also experiencing migraines, sore lymph nodes, flu-like aching or muscle pains, palpitations or sleep problems the fatigue could be related to CFS.
One of the most common causes of IBS is post-infectious inflammation which leads to ongoing digestive issues. One study found people infected with Giardia lamblia in Norway had increased risk of both IBS and CFS 10 years after the infection.
Your Gut Communicates With Your Brain
If you have IBS, you likely have some sort of dysfunctional gut-brain communication. Thats why people with IBS have more of a risk for mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Because your gut talks to your brain, gut health issues like IBS and fatigue can go hand-in-hand.
Especially since depression can lead to fatigue, you might experience a chain reaction with IBS and fatigue.
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Other Reasons For Overlooking Ibs Symptoms
Most of us have been taught that its not polite to discuss bowel habits in society. Too often, people are willing to overlook symptoms rather than get them diagnosed. This is never a good idea. If your symptoms are IBS, modern treatments can help keep them under control. Even though there is no cure for IBS, you can reduce the discomfort. If your symptoms turn out to be something more serious, getting an early diagnosis will make treatment more effective.
Carolina Digestive Health Associates has some of the best gastroenterologists in the Charlotte region. Dont let misconceptions about IBS symptoms or embarrassment prevent you from getting tested and having your condition diagnosed. Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates and schedule an appointment today!
Is Ibs Even A Real Condition
IBS is a common chronic GI disorder that involves problems with how fast/slow contents move through your intestines and how your brain interprets sensations in the bowel.
More than a tenth of the worlds population is affected by IBS. Thats 836 million people! Yet only a third of those people will seek medical help.
IBS can occur in any age group, though it is most common in people between the ages of 20- and 50-years-old. It is also a disease primarily reported in the first world, making it likely that there is a connection to the modern, industrialized diet, as well as the higher stress levels found in modern-day careers.
In all likelihood your hunter-gatherer ancestors did not suffer from IBS. The diet of your ancestors did not include chocolate bars, microwave dinners, or takeout. While I cant say for sure that modern convenience foods cause IBS, they certainly dont help. And they may very well be contributing.
Just like chronic fatigue, irritable bowel is a syndrome, not a disease. That means it is a collection of symptoms. There is no specific cause of IBS. Unfortunately this means that without a cause it is difficult to manage syndromes like CFS and IBS in conventional health care.
When you dont know the cause, finding a solution becomes challenging. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to better manage both your IBS and your fatigue.
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Anxiety And Ibs Can Increase Fatigue
Fatigue is linked to more severe IBS symptoms, worse Quality of life scores, distress, anxiety sensitivity, and perceived stress. When were anxious we tend to feel exhausted, due to the tension in muscles, lack of sleep and constant hypervigilance.
Prolonged exposure to stress can leave us low in B vitamins and Magnesium, both of which are needed for energy production. Anxiety and stress can also de-prioritise digestion, meaning that your bloating, gas and cramps can increase.
