Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as IBS, affects nearly 15% of the adult population of the United States. Yet, most people suffer silently, as only 5-7% of people receive treatment and management options for the condition.

IBS affects the large intestine and changes the way food is processed and moved through the intestines. As a result, people with IBS may suffer from cramping, bloating and gas, pain in the abdomen, and irregular bowel movement issues, including diarrhea, constipation or alternating cycles of both.

It is important to note that IBS is a chronic condition and needs monitoring over time to manage symptoms effectively. However, it does not cause changes in the bowel tissue, nor is it known to cause colorectal cancer.

Because of the abstract nature of symptoms, most people wait before seeing a physician and getting a diagnosis for IBS, which further compounds the pain involved. Moreover, most dietary interventions prescribe standard steps which may work for some portion of the population but not all.

At Digbi Health, we work towards individualized management of conditions like IBS using gut biome and genetic data to recommend dietary changes. This approach gives people with IBS a chance at a better quality of life, lesser dependence on medication and the freedom to live and move the way they would like to.

The Prevalence Of IBS And Its Effect On Quality Of Life

IBS is diagnosed more commonly in women as well as lower socioeconomic groups with inadequate access to healthcare. This condition places a further burden on these groups when diagnosed as it involves multiple rounds of testing and medication to develop a management plan.

People with IBS also miss more days at work, have lower productivity and are hospitalized more frequently.

Some preliminary research shows IBS is more prevalent in people dealing with other chronic health conditions, usually of the immune system, such as asthma.

The Role Of Gut Health In IBS

Gut dysbiosis, or the imbalance of bacteria in the gut, leads to the activation of the gut immune system and low-grade inflammation in the intestines. We are discovering through multiple studies that chronic inflammation is the root cause of several illnesses.

In IBS, the. In other words, those with IBS have a gut biome composition that keeps changing over time, thus affecting other aspects of their health, reducing their ability to lose weight, depriving them of essential nutrients, and leading to a sense of chronic fatigue.

Luckily, the research in the area is promising. Scientists have identified varying ‘signatures’ of gut bacteria in those with severe IBS, those with mild IBS, and those who have no IBS symptoms. 

The Digbi Health Approach To IBS

At Digbi Health, our data shows we can manage and reverse chronic conditions of the gut with a personalized intervention.

Every Digbi Health program begins with an analysis of the individual’s genetic information and gut biome composition, along with an understanding of existing conditions and their symptomatic manifestation.

Specific to IBS, data from program members who have reported a 5% reduction in weight also shows a reduction in common IBS symptoms. Members report a reduction of 80% or more in the severity of symptoms such as cramping, heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea. Over 30% of these members have been able to reverse IBS successfully as well.

None of these results would have been possible without an intervention that is specific to the individuals. This is why over 95% of our members recommend Digbi Health for those trying to reverse chronic conditions such as IBS.

If you’d like to know more about the program and see if you qualify, please take a look here.