Why Does Ibs Cause Fatigue

Why Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Fatigue

• IBS-C – Most likely to cause constipation
• IBS-D – Most probably to cause diarrhea
• IBS-A – Symptoms alternate between diarrhea and constipation

IBS has already happened to nearly 15% of the individuals in the USA. This condition starts mostly in teenagers. It affects almost twice as many women as men. Many people who have IBS are under stress. IBS can be unpleasant, but it does not damage the bowel or cause cancer. If left untreated, depression or hemorrhoids may develop.

Risk Factor: You Suffer From Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals, notes the Mayo Clinic. According to Dr. Quigley, 50 to 60 percent of fibromyalgia patients also have irritable bowel syndrome.

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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Using Diet To Conquer Ibs Fatigue

Fiber is a prebiotic food, Dr. Bulsiewicz adds. This means that fiber feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Fiber also makes stool softer and easier to pass. “Eating fiber can help remodel your gut microbiome and treat constipation,” he says. “A pill treats only the symptoms and doesn’t get at the heart of the problem the way that eating more fiber does.”

When upping your fiber intake, start slow and low, he warns. “When ramped up appropriately, there is no such thing as too much fiber, but it’s possible to go too hard too fast, particularly if you have a damaged gut,” he says. When you eat too much fiber too quickly, you can become gassy, which may trigger IBS symptoms.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that adults aim for 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day, depending on their age and sex. Most people fall short. Start by adding 2 to 3 grams a day to what you’re taking in now, and that should help minimize gas and bloating from the increased fiber intake, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The soluble type of fiber, which is found in abundance in beans, fruit and oat products, is especially helpful for relieving IBS symptoms. The other type, insoluble fiber, is primarily found in vegetables and whole grains.

Drink enough water too, Bulsiewicz adds. Staying hydrated helps the fiber pass more efficiently through your body.

Read more:Does Drinking Water Reduce Bloating?

Why Does Ibs Make You Tired

Well over half of people with IBS also report suffering from fatigue. In fact, fatigue is the third most common symptom for those with IBS. The only two more common symptoms? Abdominal pain and altered bowel movements.

There is a direct connection between fatigue and GI symptoms. The worse the abdominal pain / GI symptoms, the worse the fatigue. Some studies found fatigue worse in IBS-C. Other studies found fatigue worse in IBS-D.

But no matter which IBS you suffer from, you are going to suffer from fatigue.

Your guts connect to your brain through a super-highway of nerves. Some call this the gut-brain axis. Below, Ill show you how the gut-brain axis can wreak havoc on your energy levels!

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When To Seek Medical Help

You should see your GP if you think you have IBS symptoms, so they can try to find out the cause.

Your GP may be able to identify IBS based on your symptoms, although blood tests may be needed to rule out other conditions.

You should see your GP right away if you have other symptoms including:

• unexplained weight loss
• bleeding from your bottom or signs of anaemia

These symptoms can sometimes be a sign of a potentially more serious condition.

When Fatigue With Ibs Can Have A Deeper Cause

I had never associated fatigue with trauma.

Simply because fatigue had been part of my everyday experience since I was a child.

I just assumed it was me.

I hadnt associated persistant fatigue with an accident and emergency surgery I had as a child.

According to this report on pediatric surgery and PTSD, there is consistent evidence in the literature of post-traumatic stress following surgery in childhood.

Fatigue can, of course, be one of the tell-tell signs of all kinds of childhood trauma, not just pediatric surgery.

That trauma can be a single event, or ongoing, repeated situations that stirred up a strong emotional response in you.

On my path out of IBS, I have a recovered a great deal of vitality. In fact I have more energy now than ever. Part of that I achieved through releasing the emotions around that event that I couldnever voice. Doing that released the blocked energy, and allowed my body to rebalance.

So if you are dealing with long-term fatigue, do consider trauma and know that there IS a way out.

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Low Functioning Thyroid Can Cause Fatigue In Ibs

Our thyroid releases hormones which controls our cell metabolism, so affects how quickly each cell does its work. Its common that IBS and hypothyroidism go hand in hand, and some reports even suggest SIBO may be present in more than half of patients with hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism can slow your digestive motility causing constipation, nausea or reflux. A low functioning thyroid may also give you severe fatigue, both of which can be confused with IBS.

Ask your doctor for a full thyroid panel blood test or find a thyroid specialist Nutritional Therapist to support you.

Ibs Might Be Causing Fatigue Heres How To Fix It

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a very common chronic condition, disrupting the lives of an estimated 25 to 45 million Americans. Its most well known as a gastrointestinal condition that manifests itself in flare-ups of upset stomachs, cramping, bloating, and other gut issues that cause intense discomfort and pain.

But many people who struggle with IBS also report another symptom thats less well-known but still widely prevalent: fatigue. Heres what you need to know.

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Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome may be accompanied by a variety of symptoms, but the one symptom all sufferers have in common is discomfort or pain in the abdomen. Without this cardinal symptom, you cannot be diagnosed with IBS. The level of discomfort varies greatly from one person to another, and from one time to another in a single patient.

Other symptoms may include:

• Abdominal distention

• Abdominal cramping

• Increased intestinal gurgling rumbling, or sounds

• A feeling that the bowels havent emptied completely

• Mucus-covered stool

Gas And Bloating Within 90 Minutes Of Eating

Although excessive intestinal gas and bloating are common symptoms in IBS, the timing of the onset of these symptoms can provide you with some valuable information.

It generally takes about 90 minutes for any undigested carbohydrates to arrive at your large intestine, where they are set upon by gut bacteria, resulting in a fermentation process that produces gas.

Therefore, if your gassiness shows up prior to that 90-minute mark, it could indicate that you have more bacteria in your small intestine than you should. This is a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth . SIBO is diagnosed through the use of hydrogen breath testing and can be treated with select antibiotics.

If your gas and bloating happen within an hour and a half of eating, it doesnt mean that your doctor was wrong about your IBS. It is just that it might be worth your while to be tested for SIBO.

Remember that these conditions are relatively rare and it is possible that your diarrhea after eating is simply a symptom of your IBS. But, if reading about these conditions makes you wonder, discuss your thoughts with your doctor.

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Ibs And Fatigue Its Not All In Your Head

by Rahav Wellness | Aug 24, 2021 | Wellness

You may have been told that IBS and fatigue arent related, but the truth is, they often go hand in hand. On their own, each one comes with its own challenges, but when youre hit with both, they can take a heavy toll on your everyday life.

IBS can be tough to diagnose, leading some patients to feel unheard. It may not be obvious with normal blood work or a typical physical examination. While there can be physical abnormalities, theyre usually not obvious unless you know what youre looking for.

Getting to the root cause of IBS and fatigue requires self-awareness and working with a doctor whos willing to dig into the subtle signs and nuances of dis-ease that are causing your symptoms.

Heres how functional medicine looks at IBS and fatigue, why theyre connected, and what we can do to help you manage or even reverse the symptoms of both conditions.

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 it’s an imbalance in the brain, while with IBS it’s 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 it’s especially important to treat your IBS. With some effort, IBS symptoms typically can be well managed.

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How Exercise And Supplements May Help

Exercising regularly may also help relieve IBS fatigue. A January 2015 study in the World Journal ofGastroenterology found that women with IBS who upped their physical activity showed improvements in IBS symptoms including fatigue, depression and anxiety. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week.

If your symptoms aren’t improving with a better diet and more exercise, probiotic foods or supplements may make a difference. A review of 11 studies published in the September 2019 issue of Nutrients found that supplementation with probiotics helped relieve IBS symptoms in seven of them, and multi-strain supplements tended to confer the most benefits, compared with single-strain ones. “It’s very personal and there will be some trial and error involved to see which strains of bacteria are useful for you,” Dr. Bulsiewicz says.

Urgent Advice: See Your Gp Urgently If:

You have other symptoms, including:

• a change in your bowel habits that has lasted for more than six weeks, especially if you are over 50 years of age
• unexplained weight loss
• a swelling or lump in your stomach or back passage
• bleeding from your back passage

These can sometimes be a sign of a potentially more serious condition.

You should also tell your GP if you have these symptoms and a family history of bowel cancer or ovarian cancer.

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Why Does Ibs Cause Fatigue

• Gastrointestinal symptoms – The most notable symptom of IBS is gastrointestinal distress, and the review reported several instances of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating as being associated with fatigue. Four of these studies reported that the severity of abdominal pain was especially associated with fatigue in other words, the worse the GI pain, the more likely it is that fatigue is going to strike.
• Psychological distress – Depression and anxiety are also common in IBS patients, which can contribute to tiredness and fatigue. There also seems to be a connection between fatigue and stress, a common trigger of IBS flare-ups. .
• Poor sleep quality – The discomfort of bloating, cramps, and other GI issues from IBS can interrupt your sleep. Unsurprisingly, IBS patients who had trouble getting enough quality sleep reported having high fatigue levels.
• Inflammation – Inflammation, your immune systemâs response to potential threats and diseases, can also play a role in both fatigue and IBS.

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Why Does Irritable Bowel Syndrome Develop

According to clinical research, there could be a connection between a IBS and neurological issue. The intestines get messages from the brain, while they send impulses back. The more stressful an individual is, the less powerful is the brain’s capability to send messages to the intestines. With this issue, the intestines may move food too slowly or too fast. The individual will suffer from constipation and bloating or diarrhea and painful cramps because of it. IBS is associated with insomnia, stress, and anxiety.

The following aspects affect the occurrence of IBS:

• The individual has panic attacks, anxiety, or depression
• Big meal consumption
• Drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks
• Stressful activities or changes in your life
• Stressful environment at school, home, or work
• Trigger foods depend on an individual and they can trigger the condition
• Hormonal changes in women during their periods

Fatigue: A Distressing Symptom For Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centered Care , Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Department of Internal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centered Care , Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Department of Internal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centered Care , Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Department of Internal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

University of Gothenburg Centre for Person-Centered Care , Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Correspondence

Sofie Jakobsson, RN, PhD, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Box 457, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Correspondence

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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.

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.

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