IBS FREEDOM! FOR FREE!
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Lots of IBS info and practical tips
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Actionable management strategies
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From initial diagnosis to remission
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All in one place!
Scroll down to learn more about...
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The creator of Butterfly Effect IBS
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How to navigate the site
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Resources available now
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Resources coming soon
They always say time changes things,
but you actually have to change them yourself.
- Andy Warhol
However, you don't have to do it alone...
About the Butterfly Effect IBS Website
The Butterfly Effect IBS website is a work in progress. Eventually it will be a paid membership website, but in the meantime I thought I would share the resources for free with anyone who needs them.
If there are resources you'd like to see in the future or improvements that could be made to the site, please let me know. Hit contact in the header or fill out a contact sheet at the bottom of the page.
Navigating the Site
The Butterfly Effect IBS website has five main sections.
Follow the links in the white box or just scroll down!
1) Getting Started
All about IBS, the importance of getting your IBS diagnosis, a roadmap for playing digestive detective and tips for making changes.
2) IBS Management Strategies
A wealth of information and practical strategies you can use to manage the possible underlying drivers of your IBS symptoms.
3) Symptom Based Strategies
Lots of info and tips for managing the major symptoms of IBS.
4) IBS in the Real World
Suggestions for situations like travel and eating out with IBS.
5) IBS Remission and Recovery
Guidance for living your best life once your IBS is managed.
Link to Section
You can access subsections using icons or text.
Link to Sections/Resources
Underlined text links with other resources.
Coming Soon!
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Getting Started
Get started on your journey by learning all about IBS - what it is, who gets it and the possible causes. Then, before you go any further, be sure to get your IBS diagnosis from your doctor.
Once you have your IBS diagnosis, check out the "Be a Digestive Detective" and "Making Changes" sections for your roadmap to better digestion and a better life!
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Find out more about IBS - what it is, who gets it, can it be cured, common symptoms and possible causes.
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The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, but research is showing that there may be many factors involved.
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It's important to get an IBS diagnosis from a medical doctor to rule out more serious causes of your gut pain and irregular bowel movements.
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Find out more about the importance of getting your IBS diagnosis, tests for other possible causes and tips for talking to your doctor.
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IBS is different for everyone. There is no one size fits all treatment plan. You will have to figure out what works for you.
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But you don't have to do it alone. In this section you'll find tips for playing digestive detective, plus journalling and tracking resources.
Coming Soon!
Making Changes
IBS Management Strategies
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IBS can't be cured, but it can be managed. In fact, in can be managed so well that you may even forget you have IBS!
In the next section, you'll find many different strategies for IBS symptom management that focus mostly on the underlying drivers of IBS. There are many different strategies because there are many different factors that can impact IBS symptoms. The trick is to find the ones that work for you.
As you start to explore, you'll find a lot of connections between different strategies and that's because, in a complex system like your body, everything is connected. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but the good news is that many of the strategies are not only good for IBS, they're also good for your overall health.
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Find out more about food and drink that may trigger IBS symptoms and why how you eat may be as important as what you eat.
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Knowledge is power and more clues will make your digestive detective work much easier!
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IBS is a disorder of gut/brain communication and stress is thought to be one of the most important things the brain and the gut talk about.
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Learn more about the effects of unmanaged stress on your IBS symptoms and find stress management strategies that work for you!
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It now appears that chronic, low-grade inflammation of the inner lining of the intestines is involved in the disease process of IBS.
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Find out more about inflammation, what it is and its connection to IBS, plus lots of different management strategies!
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The gut microbiome has been linked to pretty much every system in the body and dysbiosis has been linked to chronic diseases, including IBS.
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Find out more about the gut microbiome, what it is and its connection to IBS, plus lots of different management strategies!
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Movement can be a helpful management tool for IBS. Research shows low to moderate exercise can reduce stress and improve digestion.
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Learn more about movement and IBS and then get moving with online yoga and exercise classes for IBS and guided walking meditations.
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Sleep is important to every aspect of overall health, but it often gets overlooked as an IBS management strategy.
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Find out more about the connections between sleep and IBS symptoms and get some tips on how to sleep better with IBS.
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We often think of mental and physical health as two separate things, but in reality they're interconnected in many different ways.
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This mind-body connection can play a big role in IBS. Find out more and check out management strategies targeting IBS and mental health.
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There are numerous over the counter and prescription medications and supplements that can help you manage your IBS.
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However, there's no such thing as an IBS pill. It may take some detective work on your part to find the right drug and dose for you.
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Alternative and complementary medicine may have something to offer for the management of IBS.
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Find out more about cannabis and IBS and stay tuned for pelvic floor therapy and body work like massage, acupuncture and osteopathy.
Symptom Based Strategies
The goal of IBS management is to reduce your IBS symptoms so you don't really need to deal with them at all. However, it can take time to figure out the under lying drivers of your IBS and to adopt good habits to manage your symptoms for the long term. It's also normal to experience flare ups from time to time, especially during times of stress or a disruption in your routine.
This section is full of information and tips for coping with common IBS symptoms.
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Check out this section to learn more about IBS-C and how it compares to other subtypes and conditions that can also cause constipation.
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Create your own constipation game plan using both rescue and proactive strategies. Find out what works for you!
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Check out this section to learn more about IBS-D and how it compares to other subtypes and conditions that can also cause diarrhea.
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Create your own diarrhea game plan using both rescue and proactive strategies. Find out what works for you!
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IBS in the Real World
You've done your detective work and found IBS management strategies that work for you. You've created a healthy routine full of good habits that keep your symptoms at a minimum. You're feeling better than you have in a long time. Then something happens that disrupts your routine and you feel like you're back at square one.
Welcome to the real world where the unexpected happens or situations that disrupt your routine, like vacations or eating out, crop up constantly.
In this section you'll find lots of tips for dealing with IBS in the real world.
IBS Remission and Recovery
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As a registered dietitian, I do my best to ensure that the recommendations I make are backed by scientific evidence.
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If you would like to know more about the studies and resources I've used, you will find them here listed by topic.
Legal Stuff
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Information is educational only and is not intended as diagnosis or treatment. It does not replace advice given by medical professionals.
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Content is solely suggestions which may be voluntarily implemented and Butterfly Effect IBS will not accept liability for claims or damages.
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See Butterfly Effect IBS Privacy Policy here.
Comments or Questions?
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Butterfly Effect IBS is a work in progress and I welcome any constructive input.
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If there's an IBS related topic that you'd like to know more about, drop me a line and let me know!
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I'm happy to answer any questions related to the website, but I'am busy creating new resources and won't be able to respond to queries of a more personal nature at this time.
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I encourage you to work with an RD and I will let you know when my practice is up and running.
