This month, April, is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) awareness month. A campaign organised by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD).
IBS is a common worldwide problem and I have previously written extensively about the condition and how nutrition, diet and supplements may be useful in reducing symptoms.
There is no single remedy for IBS. Individuals find that their symptoms are provoked by a variety of different foods and situations, with stress and other emotional issues being common triggers.
A fairly recent study (1) published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine has found that regular exercise may be useful for some people suffering with IBS, especially those individuals who experience constipation as a major symptom of their IBS.
The researchers involved in this study (1) examined the effects of a twelve week exercise programme upon 56 patients in the UK with clinically confirmed irritable bowel syndrome. The participants of this study were split into two groups. A control group who were assigned to ‘usual care’, or an exercise group. The exercise programme consisted of two 40 minute one-on-one exercise consultations which were specifically designed to provide exercise skills, knowledge, confidence and motivation. The goal of the exercise consultations was to encourage 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on 5 days a week.
After 12 weeks, as expected, the exercise group had participated in significantly more weekly exercise than the control group and they reported significantly greater declines in symptoms of constipation. This result is very encouraging since the programme was not highly intensive and represents an achievable level of exercise for most people.
Many individuals who suffer with IBS do not exercise regularly due to the abdominal symptoms they may experience. However exercise is known to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety as well as bloating and constipation in individuals without diagnosed IBS and is certainly worth a try if you are experiencing any IBS symptoms. Even a half hour daily walk may prove to be very beneficial, for mood as well as bodily symptoms. If time is an issue then the walk/exercising can be split into two manageable 15minute sessions. Any amount of cumulative exercise is better than none for our health.
(1)Daley AJ et al. 2008. The effects of exercise upon symptoms and quality of life in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Int J Sports Med. 29(9):778-82.
Written by Ani Kowal
Related posts:
