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Bad smell with IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS as it is more commonly known, is a common condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract and the way that bowel motions are performed. Despite the wealth of research that has been conducted, the actual cause of IBS is sill not understood although it is now accepted that IBS is a disturbance in the way that bowel movements are processed and such it is a disorder of function and is not a disease.

Some people experience diarrhoea, some have constipation as their most dominant symptom and yet others alternate between the two. Other symptoms that can accompany IBS are pain, abdominal bloating and excessive flatulence or wind. Apart from the obvious challenges affecting the day to day life of an IBS sufferer, such as needing to be near a toilet and coping with the pain and discomfort surrounding bowel movements, some people also suffer the added distress of producing a large amount of gas which is accompanied by an unpleasant odour.

Although this is extremely common, it can be somewhat embarrassing. Indeed, some people are so afraid of passing wind in public they try to avoid social situations or even intimacy with their partner. Over time this can be quite isolating and could seriously impair quality of life. So what can you do about it?

First of all it may help to understand a little bit about what might be going on in your gut.

What causes the bad smell?

One of the main factors identified as contributing to excessive wind is bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Everyone has gas in their gut; however, sometimes an excessive amount of gas is produced and this gas needs to escape. Excessive gas can result when the body finds it difficult to digest complex sugars and starches in carbohydrates because of a lack of certain enzymes that are required to break down the food.

If food isn’t digested properly it can result in fermentation which causes cramping, flatulence, pain, bloating and loose stools.

How can you help reduce the amount of gas produced?

It is important to eliminate foods from the diet that can contribute to too much gas. For some this may be beans and pulses, for others dairy produce or it may be oily foods. No two people will respond in the same way to the same foods, just as no two people will respond in the same way to same medication, which is what makes IBS such an individual condition.

Studies have indicated that foods that wouldn’t normally produce gas can result in excessive gas when consumed by someone with IBS. The best way to identify suspect foods is to keep a food diary for at least a couple of weeks and record everything you eat and drink, noting down any side effects associated with eating a particular food.

The bowel needs water to function efficiently. Most people don’t drink enough water as it is but in IBS it is particularly important in order to keep the body adequately hydrated, especially if the amount of fibre in the diet has been increased.

If you are anxious about having to go to the toilet or passing wind in public because of the possibility of making an unpleasant smell, this is not going to help your IBS. IBS symptoms tend to become a lot worse when an individual is suffering from any kind of anxiety or stress. Try talking to your family and friends about your fears; you may be pleasantly surprised at how understanding they are, after all, we all have to pass gas every day.

Finally, after eliminating foods that trigger gas, supplementing with digestive enzymes may also help resolve the problem and alleviate other symptoms associated with IBS.