Doctor explains how vitamin B1 relieves digestion problems

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition which impacts a person’s digestive system. Unfortunately for sufferers, there is no cure for IBS, and symptoms can disappear or flare-up over time – sometimes dependent on diet.

According to the NHS, the exact cause of IBS is unknown, however, some studies have linked it to food passing through the digestive system too quickly or too slowly.

Factors like anxiety, stress and oversensitive nerves in your gut can also play a part.

If you feel like you have IBS or problems with your digestive system, booking a GP appointment is the best way to get a diagnosis.

Keeping a note of all your symptoms and any triggers you’ve identified can help your doctor diagnose you.

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The main symptoms of IBS include

• stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
• bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
• diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
• constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully

These may not be present all the time, and you may notice a pattern to symptoms flaring up – like with certain foods or drink.

You may also experience

• farting (flatulence)
• passing mucus from your bottom
• tiredness and a lack of energy
• feeling sick (nausea)
• backache
• problems peeing, like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder
• not always being able to control when you poo (bowel incontinence)

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As IBS impacts the digestive system, the foods you eat have a huge part to play in management.

Foods which contain lots of fibre, carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods can all trigger symptoms.

However, this is highly dependent on individual reactions – as what may trigger symptoms in one person may not do so in another.

Eating low-fat foods, meat, grilling or steaming your food and opting for cooking spray rather than oil can help some people.

If you suffer from IBS, the NHS advises you

• do not delay or skip meals
• do not eat too quickly
• do not eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods
• do not eat more than three portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)
• do not drink more than three cups of tea or coffee a day
• do not drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks

You should also avoid foods which are hard to digest.

These include

• cabbage
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• beans
• onions
• dried fruit

You may find certain foods trigger IBS symptoms in you personally, so keeping a food diary to notice these triggers is important.

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