The course material is presented in the order in which I recommend you to study it. This is because it is designed to match the order in which I recommend you to consider your individual IBS management also. However, you are always welcome to go through the material in any order you would like.
In a nutshell, this is what will be covered:
- Summaries of the content for quick perusal of the main points
- Tools you can try out to calm you gut symptoms – find the ones that work for you the best!
- Understand what IBS is, what triggers it (pathophysiology), and how it is diagnosed. A quick overview of available therapies, other gut disorders with similar symptoms etc. Become empowered by understanding the disorder more deeply.
- Gut-healthy diet and lifestyle factors. Foods and nutrients and their impact on digestion.
- The IBS cycle and the role of stress in IBS, overview of stress release methods.
- The low FODMAP diet
- Next steps and feedback
If you wish to skip straight to doing, which absolutely fine, here is how I suggest you to approach IBS management:
- General lifestyle checks: take a look at your lifestyle, how you rhythm your days, what you eat and how you eat etc. Identify points that you could improve on – these changes are great to consider first, since they will also support your general health and wellbeing. I have created a quiz you can take to quickly identify areas that could be improved on.
- Understand the IBS cycle and consider the ways you can jump out of it.
- Begin a regular practice of meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or some other stress release method to heal your gut-brain communication.
- Consider trialing other dietary tweaks like supplements, soluble fiber, peppermint oil etc. and limit things that often trigger symptoms in IBS, like caffeine, or large amounts FODMAPs, as needed. You can talk to your doctor about potential drug treatments that might help.
- Because the low FODMAP diet is not an easy diet to follow, and because diet restrictions can be very stressful, which is not helpful to gut symptoms, I like to reserve this diet as one of the last things to try. If you decide to try it, make sure you that you understand well how it works. If the information on IBSwise is unclear, get in touch with me to get individualized guidance or talk with an experienced dietitian in your area. Also, let me know if I can make the material clearer!
IBSWise is meant to expand with time so that it can serve as an information bank and a toolbox for you to use whenever you need it. As more information becomes available, it will be added into the course and you will receive a notification. There is also a forum in which you can share experiences and ideas and get and give support to others. I also encourage you to get in touch if you have questions about the content, or if you’d like something added into the course. You can also request food diary feedback or individual appointments. I am truly here to help you and any question and/or suggestion is welcome! I am 100% committed to helping you!
What I ask from you is an open mind and the sincere belief that you can get well.
Thank you for being here! Take the questionnaire below to mark a starting point for your journey. Then click “next lesson” to begin – let’s get started!
