Around 1 in 5 people in the UK will experience this

Shockingly, an estimated 13 million people in the UK suffer from the common digestive problem, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Let’s talk about the symptoms to look out for, lifestyle tips for people who have IBS, and how your life insurance policy could help.

What is IBS?

Affecting around 1 in 5 people in the UK, IBS is a common condition that affects your digestive system.

Sadly, this condition is normally a lifelong problem. So learning what symptoms you should be looking out for, what triggers your IBS, and how to cope with it is important.

What are the symptoms of IBS?

There is no one size fits all with this condition. But according to the NHS, the most common IBS symptoms are:

• Abdominal pain or cramps (which are typically far worse after eating, and feel a bit better after going for a poo)
• Bloating, where your stomach may feel uncomfortably full
• Constipation and feeling like you cannot empty your bowels fully
• Diarrhoea, where you may need to go to the toilet suddenly



Above are the most common symptoms but if you have IBS, you may find yourself experiencing other symptoms such as:

• Feeling sick
• Flatulence (farting)
• Passing mucus from your bottom
• Backache
• Problems urinating (feeling like you need to wee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder)
• Not always being able to control when you go for a number 2 (bowel incontinence)
  
  

How could your life insurance help?

If you have life cover in place with one of the UK’s leading life insurance providers, you more than likely will have access to several different free benefits*.


These free life insurance benefits range all the way from 24/7 GP appointments, to mental health support and can typically be used from the day your policy is active.



With access to benefits such as 24/7 access to GP appointments, if you have suspicions that you’re suffering from IBS, you can typically get an appointment on the same day. Plus, the sooner you know what you’re suffering with, you can start taking action.

Is IBS a chronic illness?

A chronic illness is described as an illness or condition that lasts for over one year and requires ongoing medical attention and care.

There is not yet a cure for IBS so learning to manage your symptoms could make a huge difference on living with your illness.

Your diet could be key

If you’re diagnosed with IBS, your GP may refer you to a dietician.

Diet can be one of the main triggers when it comes to IBS, so if you’re diagnosed with IBS, dieticians will make some recommendations of what to change in your diet. If you have a life insurance policy with AIG for example, you’ll have access to their Smart Health app which is available to everyone who has a life insurance policy with them.

This means you can receive tailored meal plans from expert nutritionists, who will take into account your goals, lifestyle, and any conditions you may have. Your expert nutritionist can create your very own menu plan, with tailored meal and snack ideas.

How to sooth a flare up

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you should know that it’s likely to flare up from time to time.  Knowing what your triggers are could help you manage a flare up.

So whether it’s diet related, a certain type of medication or even stress, keeping track of your triggers, to see if you can spot a pattern could be really helpful.

How do you test for IBS?

There is currently no test available for IBS but if you’re experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to speak to your GP so that they can rule out any other possible causes of your symptoms.

Your doctor may want to do some blood tests to check for problems like coeliac or even ask to test samples of your poo to check for inflammatory bowel disease and/or infections.

Tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

You know your body better than anyone else, so it’s important to figure out what works for you. But here are some general tips that could help with relieving your IBS symptoms:

• Try and cook homemade meals where possible, using the freshest ingredients you can
• Keep a diary of your symptoms, this can help with tracking any patterns
• Exercise regularly, whether it’s a long walk or yoga, every little helps
• The NHS also recommends trying out probiotics to see if they can help
• Try to find ways to relax, as stress is known to worsen IBS symptoms
  
  

If you don’t have cover yet

With the right life insurance policy in place, not only can it give you some well deserved peace of mind but the lump sum that your cover could pay-out can make a real difference.

Finding the right policy doesn’t have to be a struggle which is why seeking help from a life insurance brokerage (AKA us) is vital. We search through the UK’s best life insurance providers and can compare life insurance policies, ensuring that you’re matched up with the policy that’s right for you.

What are you waiting for? Kickstart your life insurance journey today and start your free quote by clicking the button below. 

*Free benefits are not contractual and may be amended or withdrawn at any time