IBS stomach pain and nausea can be absolutely horrible to experience and is a big reality for those living with irritable bowel. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not sexy by any means. IBS can be incredibly disruptive and impactful on your health and finding a treatment that can work well for your specific condition can be challenging to say the least.
If you’re new to learning about what is causing your abdominal pain and nausea it could be IBS or IBD. This article is not medical advice, please consult and speak to a medical professional about your symptoms, health, and treatment plans.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is damage or disease in your digestive tract. IBS presents itself with a wide variety of symptoms. Irritable bowel includes both Crohn’s disease as well as Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative Colitis is found in the colon or large intestine commonly. Crohn’s disease is more widespread and can affect any part of the digestive tract.
![Image of woman holding her stomach from abdominal pain from ibs.](https://i0.wp.com/chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Can-IBS-cause-stomach-pain-and-nausea-2-1.png?fit=300%2C251&ssl=1)
The difference between IBS and IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease is the swelling and irritation of the digestive tract (Crohn’s/Colitis). IBS is where content moves too fast or too slow through your digestive tract causing pain. Both do not have known cures at this time, IBD can lead to permanent damage to the digestive tract and can be more challenging to treat.
You can develop IBS/IBD at any age, however, it’s most common in people from age 15 to 30. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can present itself gradually over time, or the symptoms may appear suddenly. Diagnosis is unique to each individual; this is likely in collaboration with a Gastroenterologist (GI) specialist. If you think you may have IBD or IBS please speak to your doctor about your individual health for guidance, this article is not medical advice and is not for diagnosing.
Symptoms of IBS Attack
Now back to our original question can IBS cause stomach pain and nausea? In short, yes. Two of the most common symptoms associated with digestive tract issues are pain and nausea. The range of each individual and how much IBS pain they feel is individual and unique. There are some individuals whose symptoms are so severe emergency medical intervention from health care is needed. Others are able to medicate at home their symptoms.
![Individual speaking to doctor about can IBS cause stomach pain?](https://i0.wp.com/chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IBS-and-IBD.png?fit=300%2C251&ssl=1)
Common symptoms include cramping, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms that are less common but do occur for some folks: are fever, chills, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, loss of weight, blood in stool, iron deficiency, and loss of appetite.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms please speak to a medical professional. You can also utilize a chronic illness tracker to help record symptoms in collaboration with your doctors.
How to help IBS stomach pain and nausea?
When it comes to IBS symptoms and trying to help reduce the pain and nausea there are a couple of things you can try. Low fodmap diets can be helpful for helping bowel habits and your digestive system. The fodmap diet focuses on restricting certain foods to improve symptoms. This diet focuses on eating specific foods that help with reducing inflammation. Most people reported their symptoms being helped between 75-85 % with these diet switches. You can read more about the fodmap diet here.
![Picture of three medication containers to show Can IBS cause stomach pain and nausea medication options through doctors.](https://i0.wp.com/chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Can-IBS-cause-stomach-pain-and-nausea-1.png?fit=300%2C251&ssl=1)
Stress can be a large factor as well when considering can IBS causes stomach pain and nausea. When it comes to IBS symptoms and treatment stress management is likely something that is recommended by your health care professional. Stress can increase the chances of a flare-up of symptoms as well can aggravate and disrupt your system. Other lifestyle changes such as getting a proper night’s sleep, reducing alcohol, and reducing greasy and fried foods. As well as reducing caffeinated beverages, and reducing nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, and candy can be helpful as well to help ease symptoms and pain. Here are 6 foods to avoid with crohns.
Self-Care Ideas for Chronic Illness
Living with a chronic illness such as IBD or IBS can be challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically. Once you receive a diagnosis and stop asking yourself daily “Can IBS cause stomach pain and nausea?” this journey with chronic IBS & IBD doesn’t stop. Living with chronic pain, chronic symptoms, and the fear of a flare can be a lot.
![Image of woman sitting on bed for self-care.](https://i0.wp.com/chronicallyalexjean.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IBS-and-IBD-Self-Care.png?fit=300%2C251&ssl=1)
Self-care is one of the most powerful tools I’ve learned to utilize in my IBD journey. Taking time to not only manage your stress but also just relax and take care of yourself is incredibly powerful. It can be exhausting and tiring trying to battle symptoms and trying to take care of yourself among managing symptoms. Taking even 10 minutes a day to just be gentle with your body, and practice self-love and self-care can be powerful to help begin to heal your relationship with your body.
Healing your relationship with your body won’t happen overnight, and even with practice, it can still be challenging. Check out these 8 ways to help improve your mental health for chronic illness. Be gentle with yourself and seek out community and support when you need it. Don’t be afraid to speak to medical professionals if you’re struggling with your health.
This is such an informative post, I will bookmark this for future reference as I am currently experiencing symptoms of IBS. I’ll be contacting my health team at the hospital this week to see if they can check it out for me! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This is such a interesting post which I’ll defiantly be sharing with friends and family who have IBS themselves. I have a chronic bowel illness so I know myself how mentally and physically draining the symptoms that come alongside it are & how lonely it can make you feel and I think so many people will relate to what you’ve written today and feel relieved knowing they aren’t alone in this fight. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely, it’s a really informative and educational post! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
I’ve got IBS and it is such a pain! I often get flare-ups during exam/assignment season because stress is one of my biggest triggers. I have now completely cut out onion which seems to have helped me a lot, and I try to eat sourdough bread a few times a week because the probiotic bacteria is meant to help. Thank you for raising awareness Alex 🙂 x
My best friend has IBS and it has been a terrible experience for her; it was good to read this to give me a better understanding of it. Thank you — this means a lot.
I applaude you for sharing such a detailed but simple explanation of IBS. As a Nutritionist, I understand the struggles that people living with IBS and other GI disorders experience. With appropriate nutrition and medical interventions, IBS and other GI issues can be releived and symptoms controlled. Thanks for sharing. Will RT.
This is a really informative post. Since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I have developed IBS and certain foods trigger pain! Thank you for sharing this informative post.
Lauren x
http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Great information on IBS. Learned something new about it. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Lucy, and I’m glad to hear this could be helpful with your health journey! Best wishes with navigating your symptoms with your health team and I hope you’re able to get some relief soon! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words about my post-Elle, I’m so glad this could be helpful and shine a light on helping provide a sense of community and helping folks feel less alone! Thank you so much 🙂
It really is such a pain – yes stressors can be quick and a big trigger for most folks (myself included). I’m glad to hear removing onion from your diet helped out, and that sourdough is helpful as well for you! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this post, thanks, Caroline.
Thanks, Molly, glad this could be helpful with providing a bit more information about some of the IBS/IBD symptoms folks can experience. Glad it was educational.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. Yes, you’re spot on for most folks that those two aspects can really help with the recovery once the right interventions are found! Thank you for commenting.
It’s great to hear this was an informative post for you Lauren. Yes, IBS can definitely be connected to many other health issues and I’m so glad you were able to learn which certain foods trigger your symptoms.
Amazing, glad to hear Charlie!