Let’s start by saying I love food.
My last documentary was a roadtrip to discover American adaptations for Chinese cuisine. The show I’m currently on talks about Southeast Asian food in California. My schedule is unpredictable as an actress, producer, and TV host. While on set, I don’t control what I eat sometimes, and with my strong interest in cuisine, I eat almost everything I want.
At the same time, I have lived with bloating, abdominal pain and indigestion for as long as I can remember – until a debilitating incident two years ago that left me on the floor, undergoing countless scans, two colonoscopies and taking painkillers. I was finally diagnosed with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel syndrome (SIBO) after seeing a few renowned gastroenterologists.
According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), about 20% to 40% of all visits to gastroenterologists are due to IBS symptoms – and two out of three IBS sufferers are female. I’d like to share my personal journey of the situation I was in, what I tried, and how things worked for me. Everyone’s experience is different, but I hope that mine can help you realise that there is a way you can heal what some doctors term, the “second brain”, your gut.
What’s IBS?
Functional GI disorders are the most common GI problems in the general populace. According to Healthxchange.sg estimates, almost one in 10 Singaporeans suffers IBS.
IBS is a common condition that affects the large intestinal tract. IBS symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain and gas, as well as irregular bowel movements. The exact cause of IBS is unknown. However, symptoms may be caused by a disturbance in the interaction between the gut, brain and nervous system. It is a chronic condition and requires long-term management. SIBO can be found in up to 80% of IBS patients, according to studies.
And what’s SIBO?
In a nutshell, SIBO means that the bacteria that live in your small intestine are overgrown, and the bacteria that normally maintain balance among your gut flora aren’t working.
Source: Her World