Now that you have irritable bowel syndrome, is this something that you have to endure for the rest of your life or is there a cure?
The Transcript
I get asked this question a lot, “Will I have IBS for life? Is it a lifelong sentence?” Well, yes, you have it for life, but no, it’s not a sentence. You can control it. So far they haven’t found out what the mechanism of IBS is, so there’s no way that they can find a cure for it. I imagine, as soon as they can work out the mechanism and what’s actually sparking our Irritable Bowel Syndrome, then they’ll be well on the path to finding a cure for it. There’s a lot of research going on, and some of it is very interesting concerning the bacteria in the gut and the imbalance, and how that could be the cause, but we don’t know anything definite yet.
So, while there’s no cure, you will have IBS for life. Now, some of you have it from when you’re born. For some of you, it will happen during your life – it will be sparked by something like stress or a stomach infection, perhaps, an operation, or maybe too many antibiotics. It could be any of those things or other things as well. But once you have it, no, you cannot get rid of it. You can control it, however.
IBS by itself does have its ups and its downs, times when it rumbles along, and you can cope with it, and other times, usually if you’re under stress, when it gets out of control. But, as we all know now, it can be controlled with a low FODMAP diet, which can completely eliminate the symptoms of IBS, as long as you also make some lifestyle changes, and don’t lead a really stressful life – you sleep enough, you exercise well, and so on. So, yes, it is lifelong. No, it is not a sentence.
What a shame they haven’t been able to work out what causes IBS. Knowing the cause would definitely assist with finding a cure xx
I have heard some peoble get well again, after a while with Low FODMAP. I strugle with other healthproblems too, so I can’t get kontrol over it right now. But I hope it’s getting better, when the other thing is under control.
Greatings from Denmark
Anne-Marie
Unfortunately there is no cure – the diet just controls the symptoms. If they got better, then they didn’t have IBS but had some other digestive issue.
Good luck with your other health problems – everything is linked.
Hi, I have found all your info and help on dealing with ibs amazing and thank you. I am just confused at why you would say there is no cure for ibs, and would make the statement that ‘ if they got better they didn’t have ibs ‘ . I have spoke to many functional medical practitioners in my journey through ibs and all disagree . Here is a link to a well known American doctor who cures people of ibs on a regular basis.
https://drhyman.com/blog/2010/09/16/5-simple-steps-to-cure-ibs-without-drugs/
Please give me your feedback on this as I do follow you and have recommended you to many fellow Ibsers.. And would just like to get the facts straight as I feel it’s very dis- heartening to make people believe there is no cure to a horrible illness when there are many publishing a to the contrary .
I am only going on what I have read and thank you again for all your help on dealing with ibs.
Thanks
There are many people, including doctors, who say on the internet that they can cure cancer too. There is no cure for IBS.
That article you linked to has used that heading to attract attention but, in fact, the article talks about SIBO and food allergies, not IBS, Yes, there is a cure for SIBO – antibiotics, as he says in the cure section. There is also a cure for simple food allergies – take those foods out of your diet. The title is misleading as are many headings of articles on the internet. Everything he says in the actual article is correct.