IBS: your questions answered

Cl-bettybaby - 'Is excessive wind related to the effects of working long shifts?'

Simon: I hope your partner is not too embarrassed that you shared his wind problem with the world. I wish more people would speak about these things openly! The answer to your question is 'very likely'.

Unfortunately, shift work comes with many ongoing problems as it upsets the internal body clock. It would be important for your partner to eat on a regular basis, take breaks and watch his overall stress levels. Eat regularly, do not skip meals.

Skipping meals plays havoc with one's metabolism. It also results in poor cognitive functioning. Recent research has shown that those who skip meals are more likely to be overweight than those who eat regularly. Meal skippers have a greater propensity to overeat, especially large quantities of high-fat foods.

Have three meals per day or spread the same amount of food into six meals per day and start each day with a healthy breakfast.

Wind is caused by many foods and differs from person to person. I often get people to make a list of foods they have eaten once they have a particular bad bout of wind so they can identify them and limit them in their diets. It is important here to say he should not avoid any foods, and always be aware of a healthy inclusive diet, but he may find by reducing specific foods this will reduce his wind.

He is doing a great job and many people who work shifts can mange with the disruption. I hope this helps in some small way.

chocolatemousse - 'Is there a link between IBS and menstruation?'

Simon: Unfortunately, we know that IBS symptoms do appear to be influenced by changes in the level of female hormones, and symptoms like looser stools and cramping can become worse at certain times of the cycle, particularly at the time of your period. It is reported as more intense in women with IBS, than in healthy women without IBS.

Even though your IBS is better at other times of the month it is still important to lay solid foundations that will help with IBS generally. See my other posts for advice on stress levels, diet, the role of fibre, healthy regular eating and, most important of all, accepting IBS and not letting it ruin your life.

With regard the diarrhoea, as long as you are not getting it more regularly than during your period, then you can treat it with Imodium (loperamide) as this acts on the gut alone and is not absorbed into your system. This means it has very few side effects and is quite safe.