AN ESTIMATED one is five of us is affected at some point by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can cause symptoms including bloating, cramping, diarrhoea and/or constipation. While it isn’t serious, it can be extremely debilitating. Managing stress and making dietary changes are two of the key ways you can help yourself. And exercise can also play a role.
‘Exercise can be helpful for IBS because it helps ease stress, which can aggravate symptoms, and it helps improve gut motility,’ says gastroenterologist professor Peter Whorwell, a leading IBS expert. ‘And we know that fairly moderate activity is best – vigorous exercise can actually aggravate IBS symptoms.’