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