Identify your IBS triggers

Learning to identify your IBS triggers is one of the most powerful things you can do to feel more in control of your symptoms.

Everyones triggers are unique and what may cause flare-ups for you might not bother someone else. Typically there are certain diet and lifestyle factors that are known to affect and potentially upset our digestion. Anything from;

• disturbed sleep patterns
• lack of exercise
• poor stress management
• alcohol intake
• caffeine
• drugs and medication
• spicy food
• fibre intake
• allergies
• illness
• eating habits
• portion sizes
• hormones and
• FODMAPs

All of these and more can wreak havoc on your gut. Learning to spot them and limit their combined effects is a skill that takes time to learn and needs to be practised.

The individual nature of our triggers is also the main reason why you should avoid comparing your IBS journey. Not every treatment plan, diet or medication will work for everybody. If you can focus on your own symptoms and the health, lifestyle factors and habits that seem to affect them, then you're already on the right track.

Moving towards eliminating or reducing the impact that these triggers have in your life may sometimes be enough to reduce your symptoms to a tolerable level. Being able to identify your IBS triggers at the start of your IBS journey could mean never having to tackle a low FODMAP diet.

Have you recently been told you have IBS and wonder what happens next? The rest of the posts in this series can help you get started.

What triggers you? Share it in the comments below.