Over a Tenth of Your Clients Are Dealing With IBS—And Here’s How to Help

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) would trade 10 to 15 years of life expectancy for an instant cure for their condition. According to a study of nearly 2,000 people with IBS, this is a common sentiment. In other research, individuals with IBS have expressed a willingness to take a medicine with a one percent risk of sudden death if it would cure their symptoms. IBS can cause urgent bouts of diarrhea, gas, or persistent constipation, leading to abdominal pain that can be worse than childbirth. This pain can disrupt daily life, causing individuals to plan their lives around the availability of private bathrooms. The fear of a sudden flare-up can lead to anxiety, affecting social relationships and overall well-being. Research has shown that people with IBS report a lower quality of life compared to those with other chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and end-stage kidney disease. Lifestyle changes can help manage IBS. Sarah Maughan, a certified health coach through Monash University, has witnessed the benefits of lifestyle modifications in preventing flare-ups and calming GI anxiety. Maughan hopes that everyone with IBS knows they have options, including seeking medical treatment and working with a health coach to implement lifestyle changes. This article will explore IBS, including its causes and manifestations, and provide evidence-based lifestyle changes to improve symptoms. It will also discuss how to determine which foods trigger IBS symptoms and how to support clients with IBS as a health coach. IBS is a common digestive disorder affecting approximately 14 percent of adults. Unlike Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases, IBS does not alter the gut’s architecture. Diagnostic imaging shows no evidence of infection, inflammation, or damage to the bowel wall. However, recent research has challenged this assumption, suggesting that IBS may have a more complex underlying mechanism.