IBS-D is also known as IBS with diarrhea. This type of IBS causes the opposite issues to IBS-C.
IBS-D is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Symptoms include crampy abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that help maintain the balance of good bacteria in your gut. They can be consumed by eating yogurt or taking supplements.
The most commonly used probiotic strains are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Saccharomyces boulardii.
There are other types of probiotics too such as Lactococcus lactis (used to make fermented dairy products like kefir) and Streptococcus thermophilus (used to make yogurts).
For people with IBS-D, it is recommended to take a probiotic that contains mostly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species.
How common is IBS-D?
It’s estimated by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) that about 10% of people worldwide suffer from IBS-D or chronic diarrhea.
It is often diagnosed in people between 20 to 40 years old, with women being affected more often than men.
What causes IBS-D?
Doctors haven’t figured this one out yet because there are still many unknown factors related to the causes of IBS. All the research done so far has been able to prove is that there are certain factors that can trigger the symptoms of IBS-D, but they don’t know exactly why they cause it.
The most widely accepted theory is that some people are simply more sensitive to their digestive system than others, causing them to experience the symptoms of IBS-D more severely. This could be due to a combination of genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices.
Another theory is that IBS-D may be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This is known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and it occurs when there are too many bacteria present in the small intestine that should normally be limited to the large intestine.
Researchers still can’t decide if SIBO is actually a cause of IBS-D or just a result of it, but they do know that some people with IBS-D respond better to treatment for SIBO than those without.
There are also some people who believe that food sensitivities may be a factor in IBS-D. This means that some people may be more sensitive to certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine or dairy products, and that this sensitivity can cause their IBS symptoms to flare up.
While the cause of IBS-D may still be a mystery, there are many things you can do to improve or prevent symptoms. These include eating healthy foods that are easy to digest, establishing good eating habits, and avoiding spicy or greasy food.
What are the symptoms of IBS-D?
People with IBS-D have a different set of symptoms than people with IBS-C, which are also not the same as those of people who suffer from celiac disease.
It seems that there is no one specific diagnosis for this condition because any combination of these three conditions can cause similar symptoms. The best way to diagnose the type of IBS you have is by seeing your physician and discussing what your symptoms are.
Once they know more about them, they will be able to make an educated guess on what diagnoses you might be suffering from. If it turns out that you do in fact have some form of IBS, then it’s time to figure out how to deal with it properly so that you can feel more comfortable.
The main symptoms of IBS-D are diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping, gas, bloating, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and an altered bowel movement pattern. These symptoms are often described as either being more or less intense depending on the severity of your condition.
Additionally, you may have some other symptoms such as low energy, headaches, joint pain, and difficulty sleeping.
Studies have shown that probiotics can improve symptoms of IBS-D, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. The benefits seem to be most significant when probiotics are taken regularly, and they work best when combined with other IBS treatments.
How is IBS-D treated?
If you are considering taking probiotics for IBS-D, it is important to speak with your doctor first. Probiotics can interact with other medications and may not be suitable for everyone.
Make sure to choose a probiotic that is specifically tailored for IBS-D and contains the strains that have been shown to be beneficial. Be patient – it may take a few weeks or months for you to start seeing results.
The bottom line is that probiotics can be a helpful addition to the treatment of IBS-D. They work by rebalancing the gut bacteria and helping to improve symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
The best results seem to be seen when the probiotics are taken regularly and combined with other IBS treatments.
Are there any treatments available?
There is no cure for IBS-D at this time, but there are a number of treatments that can help relieve symptoms.
Here’s a look at some of the most common treatments for IBS-D:
Lifestyle changes. Making some lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is always a good first step when trying to alleviate symptoms.
This type of approach is especially important for people with IBS-D, as eating certain foods or getting too little exercise can make symptoms worse.
Medicines. There are a number of different medicines that can help relieve IBS-D symptoms, including antispasmodics, laxatives, and antidepressants. Antispasmodics work by relaxing the muscles in the stomach and intestines, while laxatives help to ease constipation and promote regular bowel movements.
Antidepressants may be used to treat IBS-D, but they’re only usually prescribed when the symptoms are causing a lot of stress in a person’s life.
Probiotics. Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria that live inside the gut, and they may help people with IBS-D keep their symptoms under control. There has been some evidence to suggest that probiotic supplements can ease pain and bloating in people with IBS-D, and they may also help to improve the gut’s overall health.
Surgery. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat IBS-D. This may involve removing part of the large intestine, for example, if the main symptom is severe constipation.
Can you treat IBS-D permanently?
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for IBS-D, so it’s important to work with a doctor to find a treatment plan that works best for you. By making some lifestyle changes and using medicines as needed, most people with IBS-D can manage their symptoms and live a relatively normal life.
Studies for IBS-D?
Studies have shown that taking probiotics can help improve symptoms of IBS-D such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The benefits seem to be greatest when the probiotics are taken regularly, and they are most effective when combined with other IBS treatments.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, probiotics are thought to work by rebalancing the bacteria in the gut.
The best way to do this is by taking probiotic supplements or eating foods that contain live active cultures such as yogurt and buttermilk. Fermented vegetables including sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables are also good options.
According to an article on WebMD, “Probiotics can help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.” The author goes on to say that probiotics are living microorganisms that may be helpful in treating some digestive disorders like lactose intolerance and ulcerative colitis.
In addition to helping with digestion, they may also improve immune function and prevent yeast infections among other things.
A study published in 2016 found that women who took probiotics while pregnant had babies with fewer eczema cases compared to those who did not take them during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Another study showed positive results when using probiotic supplements for children with atopic dermatitis.
However, the article says more research is needed before physicians can recommend probiotics for specific conditions like IBS-D.
But if you want to try them on your own one approach could be to rotate different kinds of natural probiotics and also look for combination products that contain various strains of bacteria.
For example, a combination product that I like that has eight different strains of bacteria is Ultimate Flora Critical Care from Renew Life. You can also eat probiotic rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi.
The World Gastroenterology Organisation recommends the use of probiotics as a first-line treatment for people with IBS-D. Probiotics should be taken regularly to maintain the best results. Most studies have been conducted using supplements or tablets but future studies may explore the benefits of probiotic foods.
Which probiotic is best for IBS-D?
People with IBS-D may be wondering which probiotic is best for them.
There are a few options to choose from, but there is no one perfect probiotic that will work for everyone with IBS-D.
One study found that Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis were effective in healing symptoms of diarrhea so these two could be the best choice if you suffer from this symptom of IBS-D.
The research also showed that Lactobacillus Plantarum was not as effective at reducing bloating but it did help to reduce constipation symptoms, so it might also be worth trying this type of probiotic out if you have problems digesting foods or often feel bloated.
If you are looking for a probiotic that is specifically designed to help IBS-D, you might want to try Bifantis. This probiotic contains a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, both of which were found to be effective in the study mentioned earlier.
Bifantis was shown to improve the quality of life for people with IBS-D in an 8-week long study.
Whichever probiotic you choose, make sure to follow the directions on the label and start with a low dose to see how your body reacts. Probiotics can cause some people to have gas or bloating, so you may need to experiment a bit to find the one that works best for you.
The best course of action to reduce symptoms
If you are looking for other ways to help reduce your symptoms, there are a few things you can try to help manage your IBS-D.
Keeping a food diary might be helpful to track which foods cause problems, and you may want to avoid these foods for a while until your symptoms improve. You can also try stress relief like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga since stress is often linked with IBS-D.
If your symptoms are severe, or if you have other health problems along with IBS-D, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can help you find the best way to manage your symptoms and may prescribe medication or other treatments to help you feel better.
In conclusion
While probiotics may not work for everyone with IBS-D, they are worth trying especially if you have other health issues that they could help with as well.
And if you don’t notice an improvement after taking them for a while, then you can always stop. But it’s important to remember that just like with any other type of supplement, probiotics should not be taken in place of prescribed medications.
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