Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that causes regular digestive discomfort and can leave you feeling fatigued. The pain often experienced by IBS sufferers can make it difficult to stay in work, make plans and enjoy social activities. As a result, mental health can often deteriorate and sufferers may feel there's no hope of feeling better. IBS tends to be diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, and your GP will refer you to your local hospital for diagnosis. However, your GP's role in the treatment of your chronic health condition doesn't end there. Your hospital specialist will liaise with your medical centre and your GP can help you access a range of support services offered by your medical centre. Here are a few ways your medical centre can support you:
Medication
IBS patients can present with a range of symptoms and your GP can prescribe medication to try and control some of those symptoms and help improve your quality of life. Medications that may be helpful can include anti-diarrhoeal drugs, stool bulkers, painkillers and antidepressants. It's common for those with IBS to need to try a few different types of medications and combinations of medication to find what works best for their symptoms.
Talking Therapy
Medical centres usually have counsellors available and some run a range of one-to-one and group counselling clinics. Stress is thought to play a role in the exacerbation of symptoms in some IBS patients. Speaking to a counsellor can help you develop coping strategies. Similarly, if you develop a low mood or depression due to your illness, talking therapy can help you to work through your feelings and take steps to improve your metal wellbeing.
Weight Management
For those who experience frequent diarrhoea due to IBS, unplanned weight loss can become a concern. Your medical centre may offer a weight management clinic led by a dietician. This service can allow you to track your weight and help prevent you becoming underweight, which puts you at risk of nutritional deficiencies. If required, a dietician can prescribe high calorie nutritional supplements to help you maintain your weight. A dietician can also work with you to identify any dietary triggers that make your symptoms worse. They may suggest you keep a food and symptoms diary and can help you plan nutritionally complete meals that avoid foods you have identified as triggering your symptoms.
If you have IBS and would like some additional support, contact your medical centre to find out what services they offer and how you can access them.
Share19 July 2022
Thanks for visiting my health blog! My name's Caroline. A few years ago, I started to notice changes in my appearance. My hair was dull, my eyes were circled with dark rings, and my skin was looking like it used to when I was a teenager. When cosmetic treatments didn't fix things, I realised the problem wasn't on the outside of my body—it was on the inside! That's when I started researching how to keep myself healthy. To my surprise, improving my internal health really worked. A few years down the line, I feel and look better than ever, and I'm ready to share what I've learned with all of you.