Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS for short, is a common condition, and is prevalent in people who suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome. IBS is found in approximately 60% of fibromyalgia patients.
Some of the more common symptoms associated with IBS are:
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Frequent abdominal pain
• Gas and abdominal bloating
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability
• Lack of confidence to travel around town (because they are not sure when they will need to use a bathroom)
Fibromyalgia sufferers often state that when they experience a flare-up of their fibromyalgia symptoms, their IBS will also flare-up. Increased stress will also trigger an IBS flare-up.
During periods of flare-ups, patients say that they either feel like they cannot eat because they do not have an appetite or they do not want to eat so they do not experience any of the associated symptoms. If they do eat, the food will usually pass right through them.
Experiencing IBS causes a few problems that are not usually addressed or considered when describing fibromyalgia symptoms. First of all, if a person cannot eat, there is a decrease in the amount of nutrients that the person will ingest, absorb and utilize within the body. This in itself can cause a cascade of different symptoms and/or conditions that potentially can make the fibromyalgia symptoms worsen. Furthermore, this can lead to other health issues in addition to the fibromyalgia, making a person feel even more uncomfortable.
A decrease in nutrient intake leads to a nutrient deficient body. This is why it might make sense for this sufferer to try adding supplements (specifically in this case a multivitamin) to their diet to get the required nutrients the body needs daily.
By not eating, the fibromyalgia sufferer is probably not consuming enough calories to help keep their energy levels up. Food is fuel for the body. Lack of fuel will contribute to the overall chronic fatigue feeling that is experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers.
