IBS fast fact. IBS is a physical brain-gut dysfunction, which means...

It's not mental, not emotional, not psychological, and not imaginary. Just look at this brain scan...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a physical brain-gut dysfunction.

That means it is not mental, not emotional, not psychological, and not imaginary.

It is a bowel motility disorder that causes lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation (or alternating diarrhea/constipation), gas, and bloating.

You can literally see the brain-side of this dysfunction in the MRI brain scan below.

Regional cerebral activation in irritable bowel syndrome and control subjects with painful and nonpainful rectal distention. Mertz*, Howard et al. Gastroenterology, Volume 118, Issue 5, 842 - 848.

Look at the IBS brain on the right. It lights up like an angry Christmas tree from painful gut sensations.

The Control brain on the left doesn’t react that way at all.

And you already know from personal experience what the bowel-side of the IBS brain-gut dysfunction looks (and feels!) like.

For me? IBS pain feels like I have an angry Christmas tree inside my gut, whose branches are trying to claw their way out while the tree lights short-circuit and explode.

And more about the brain-gut dysfunction behind these attacks.

You are not alone.

P.S. If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear them - just reply to this email to reach me directly. I am overwhelmed with emails but I try to answer everyone. If you need immediate help please join my private IBS coaching.

XOXO
Heather

Heather Van Vorous
Over 40 years dealing with IBS
Get full help for IBS here