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Recent research has revealed a link between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in patients who have been admitted to the hospital for their IBS. IBS is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) system that affects up to 15% of the population. Dr. Yezaz Ghouri, an assistant professor of clinical medicine and gastroenterology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, believes that stress is expressed through both the mind and body and is the cause of these conditions.
A study using data from more than 1.2 million IBS patients in 4,000 US hospitals over three years showed that 38% of patients had anxiety and 27% had depression - double the levels of anxiety and depression found in patients who did not have IBS. Lead researcher Dr. Zahid Ijaz Tarar suggested that IBS symptoms influence anxiety and depression, while those psychiatric issues may also cause IBS symptoms.
Dr. Brooks Cash, chief of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, believes that mental health issues may augment gastrointestinal symptoms and vice versa, however the exact causal relationship between the two is unknown.
Cash suggested that to improve gut health, processed or greasy foods, red meat, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided in favor of fruits, vegetables, and foods like yogurt. Meditation, relaxation, eating healthy, and sleeping well are also factors that can contribute to a healthy life.
Finally, a variety of over-the-counter treatments may help, including laxatives and anti-diarrheal medications. There are also a handful of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription medications for irritable bowel syndrome, and diet therapies such as the low-FODMAP diet and prunes and kiwi can be effective for constipation. Cash recommended that patients take an individualized approach based on their symptoms.