Mental Health Awareness Month
May 1 - 31
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There’s a well-known saying that ‘exercise is medicine’, and for people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), that may certainly be true. Whether it’s walking, tai chi, or yoga, regular physical movement has been shown to help relieve IBS symptoms and improve associated fatigue, depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life.
Ready to quit smoking for good? Take our quick online self-test to see if hypnosis for smoking could help you achieve your goal, and get a free evaluation based on your responses.
While we can’t promise a quick-fix cure for your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (and wouldn’t trust anyone who said they could), there are multiple science-backed ways you can treat your IBS, reduce your pain and discomfort, and start feeling better.
Discovering gut-directed hypnotherapy for retired sales rep Libby* came at the end of a long and frustrating 26-year journey with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). After so many setbacks, Libby said the Nerva program offered her new hope, and life has never been better.
It’s one of the greatest workplace issues that many have never heard of, and even less are willing to talk about: menopause. When almost 4,000 women were surveyed in the UK, a massive 99% said their menopause symptoms had negatively impacted their careers, and 59% said symptoms had forced them to take time off.
Studies show that most people are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), typically 6.6 years after their symptoms begin. For Sophie*, a married mom of two in her 50s, her journey to a pain-free life took a lot longer, with many setbacks along the way. After 40 years of trying to manage IBS pain, starting in childhood, Sophie says her quality of life has never been higher. And after overcoming many obstacles and completing the Nerva program three times over, Sophie is as surprised as anyone that she is free to lead life on her own terms.
Despite its common media portrayal, hypnosis is serious business. Heavily backed by research, it’s now used in therapeutic settings to manage everything from chronic pain to menopausal hot flashes.
There are any combination of physical and psychological symptoms to experience during a ‘normal’ menopause. So, while there are certain things you can expect to happen, don’t be surprised if your experience is different from a friend’s⸺menopause can be as unique as we are.
A diagnosis for IBS can make the difference between enduring your symptoms and relieving them. And while a diagnosis can set you on the course for treatment, management and relief, it’s thought that only 30% of people experiencing IBS symptoms consult a doctor.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), covers an array of gut conditions. If you’ve been recently diagnosed, or feel you may have IBS, it’s important to understand the difference between them.
As anyone who has had their day stopped short by a hot flash (or five) knows, these are one of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause. Most hot flashes last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, and while many women experience them a handful of times a day, others can have them almost hourly.
If you have had a hysterectomy and are experiencing hot flashes, know that you are not alone. Over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the U.S., and while hot flash symptoms after your surgery may be intense and frustrating, there are management tools available to help.
Once upon a time, there were three women⸺the maiden, the mother, and the crone. The maiden was pure and idolized for her beauty and youth. The mother was caring but firm, often a background character that kept the show running while all the real action happened. And then there was the crone⸺an hag-like woman, postmenopausal, and nasty to her core. While the maiden would eat the apple and the mother would cook the apple, the crone was more likely to curse the apple.
The menopause club is a big one. Millions of women, all around the world are experiencing menopause, or perimenopause, every single day. And while your experiences can be deeply personal and as unique as you are, there is research that suggests that your culture, and where you live, may affect your menopause experiences.
CBD (cannabidiol) in the form of oil, gel, and capsules has been touted as the new cure-all for everything from migraines and chronic pain to seizures. But when it comes to using CBD for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), very little is known. With up to 1 in 10 people worldwide experiencing IBS, there is growing interest to see if CBD could be a new tool to relieve symptoms.
Natural remedies for hot flashes promise relief that comes straight from nature⸺an appealing idea for anyone looking for an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
One of the most effective hot flash management tools available is literally all in your head. Hypnotherapy, while not widely understood by many people, can help regulate hot flashes by managing how temperatures are perceived and regulated in the brain.
Menopause supplements are big business. Each year around 64% of women in the US use supplements to improve their well-being, sleep better, strengthen bones and reduce hot flashes (among other things). As a treatment for menopause symptoms, they seem like a no-brainer⸺they're natural, easy to find in any drug store, supermarket or health shop, and seem to be a no-risk option. But are they too good to be true?
Chances are that if you’ve Googled hot flash, or chatted to friends about menopause, you’ve found a lot of confusing, contradictory, and downright strange information. You might even have found some very convincing misinformation⸺it can be really hard to tell!
There seem to be as many opinions about menopause treatment as there are stars in the sky. But it’s not really the opinion that matters, it’s the science. To help you navigate your way, let’s look at how effective the most common treatments really are.
Hot flashes. You know that feeling; you’re either in the middle of an important meeting, or cooking dinner, or perhaps you’re fast asleep, when suddenly, a rush of heat starts to spread through your body. You find yourself sweating, your skin flushed and red, and your heart racing.
Are night sweats causing you to wake up during the night, with your clothes and sheets wet with perspiration? Night sweats in women are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, affecting up to four out of five menopausal women.
Gut-directed hypnotherapy is quickly becoming one of the most promising new techniques for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but what exactly is it? And how can our minds change what happens in our gut?
If you are reading this, you are most likely a parent or guardian searching for clarity around the topic of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children. You may also be a family member, teacher, or caregiver looking for ways to best support a child with IBS in your community.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two distinct gut disorders. While very different in nature, they are often confused due to their similar-sounding names and several overlapping symptoms.
April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month, and April 19 is World IBS Day, so there's no better time for us to bust some unhelpful myths about IBS.
With Easter just around the corner, many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) start to question if a few seasonal treats are worth the potential tummy troubles. Whether you’re celebrating Easter as a religious holiday, or as a non-secular way to bring in a new season, it’s a hard time of year to avoid chocolates altogether. So, is chocolate safe for people with IBS and how much chocolate can a person with IBS eat before experiencing a flare-up?
While you might not think of menopause and IBS as being linked, the fluctuation of sex hormones can often wreak havoc on the inner workings of your gut. Having to manage just one of these conditions can be challenging, let alone dealing with both at the same time. Read on to learn why your gut health may change around the time of menopause, as well as pocketing some useful tips to make menopause gut-symptoms less stressful.
Has your dating life been put on the back burner because of anxiety? If so, you aren’t alone. Anxiety isn’t fun. It thrives off intrusive thoughts that convince us that opening up to people is terrifying. Off-limits. No-go. Stay away! But with a little bit of help, you can learn to be confident and comfortable dating.
Neurotransmitters, also known as ‘chemical messengers’, help the brain communicate with tissues, muscles, and organs to control bodily functions. They facilitate nerve impulses traveling from one neuron to another neuron or cell. From your gut to your head and even your emotions, these messengers are behind almost everything that goes on inside of you.
Yep, it's just like the book says: everybody poops. So, why then is it so hard to talk about it? These days, people talk openly about all sorts of medical issues and relationship problems. Yet, discussions of bowel movements and toilet visits are usually avoided. Poop might be totally natural, but it's still a taboo topic connected to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Sounds unfair? It is. Especially if you're one of the millions of people worldwide suffering from a gastrointestinal condition like IBS.
Drinking with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): How much is too much, and is it worth the potential flare-up? While you may enjoy an occasional drink, it’s important not to overlook your drinking habits when considering your triggers. If you have IBS, try monitoring the effect alcohol has on your body to better understand how much alcohol you can drink without irritating your gut. Some people with IBS decide to eliminate alcohol altogether, while others choose to enjoy alcohol in moderation.
Whether it's a day trip or the trip of a lifetime, traveling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be an anxiety-provoking experience. Unfamiliar situations, strange foods, and new environments that disrupt your daily routine can all potentially worsen gut symptoms. If you've ever found yourself desperately searching for a public bathroom in an unfamiliar place, then you know the kind of travel stresses we're talking about.
The tree is up, the candles are glowing, and the only thing left to do is enjoy a happy holiday, right? If IBS is making your season more stressful than silly, there are several things you can do to get back on track.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a common treatment for difficult menopause symptoms. If you’re suffering from some of the more uncomfortable side effects of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia, you may wish to select from a range of natural treatment options to keep symptoms at bay. However, if your symptoms are severely impacting your daily life, you may want to speak to your doctor about the benefits and risks of HRT or look into another alternative treatment, like menopause hypnotherapy. Estrogen and progesterone deficiency during menopause causes various changes in the body. Let’s discuss what you can expect when entering menopause and whether it might be time to bring up HRT with your doctor.
Want to talk to your doctor about Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? It's not always easy to discuss sensitive subjects. Even if they've heard it all before, it might be the first time you've spoken to a healthcare professional about your symptoms—or the first time you’ve thought about what kinds of treatments you want to try.
Have you ever found yourself deeply absorbed in a movie or book? If so, you may have experienced hypnosis, a naturally occurring state of consciousness. Hypnosis can be induced with help from a therapist or alone. In self-hypnosis, you listen to your own suggestions to achieve your goals. For people with anxiety, self-hypnosis can help them calm anxious nerves and soothe excessive worrying. Read on to learn how to perform self-hypnosis and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Many mums-to-be experience a range of digestive issues during pregnancy, including diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, vomiting, nausea, and bloating. While not every pregnancy will include all these symptoms, few expectant mothers are lucky enough to avoid all digestive upset.
Scared of having an IBS attack at work? You're not alone. Working with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be difficult for many people. Whether it's the fear of an IBS flare-up, embarrassment about sharing a bathroom, or experiencing concentration difficulties—it can feel like there are countless ways IBS can stop you from feeling comfortable and confident at work.
Sleep hygiene is as important as physical hygiene: it's essential to our health, our wellbeing, and our longevity. Yet, despite its importance, many people struggle to get enough good quality sleep.
We all know IBS can be a pain in the gut—but did you know it can be a pain in the back, head, and jaw too? After bloating, pain is the most common IBS symptom, with more than 75% of all people with IBS experiencing frequent or constant abdominal pain. IBS pain is often reported in the lower abdomen, though people may experience pain directly or indirectly related to IBS in multiple places around the body.
When every bite of food can take one step closer to spending the night on the toilet, you may start to become overly wary of what—and where—you eat.
Want to try hypnosis to quit smoking? Science shows that it may be an effective tool to help you kick the habit for good. Many people find it extremely difficult to stop smoking—so difficult, in fact, that recent research suggests it can take around 30 attempts to successfully quit.
How does it feel to have anxiety? When people talk about anxiety, you might immediately imagine someone who worries excessively. While this is part of the anxiety experience, the effects of anxiety can be seen and felt in the body, too.
What is menopause and when will it start? While some people call the time leading up to their last period ‘menopause’, menopause is actually when your period stops permanently. The process of menopause usually starts when a woman is around 45 years old and is a natural part of aging whereby the ovaries slowly stop producing hormones, such as estrogen.
Feeling cursed with an irritable bowel but still want a happy (candy-filled) Halloween? While IBS flare-ups can be frightful at any time of year, many people find that Halloween treats can trigger a variety of uncomfortable gut symptoms, such as pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Think that you may be going through menopause? Take our quick online self-test to see if you may be going through perimenopause, assess whether your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, and get a free evaluation based on your responses.
Growth mindset or fixed mindset—can the way we think about ourselves and our abilities shape our lives? Absolutely. The way we think about our intellect and talents not only affects the way we feel, it can also affect what we achieve, whether we stick to new habits, or if we will go on to develop new skills.
If you have IBS, you’ve probably wondered “is there a scientifically-proven diet to improve my symptoms?” We’re here to tell you that, yes, there is! The low FODMAP diet has been shown in numerous studies to improve symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain for people with IBS.
Do you have a fixed vs growth mindset? Your mindset is the established attitudes and opinions that shape how you see the world, and in turn changes how you think and act within it. Research by Carol Dweck has uncovered that our mindset exists along a spectrum, from strong fixed mindset to a strong growth mindset and everything in between. This mindset quiz can help you better understand whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset and what that means for your life.
Looking for ways to treat your IBS at home? Whether you’re searching for relief between doctor’s appointments or wanting to take control of your symptoms without medication, there are a range of effective at-home treatments for IBS. Lifestyle changes, diet changes, or even gut-brain hypnotherapy programs can improve IBS symptoms. And, as an added bonus, many at-home remedies are simple to do and are low or no cost.
Have you ever wondered why poops are different during your period? While people might not talk about it, most women will experience a monthly change in their toilet habits. In addition to your period causing symptoms like headaches, bloating, and skin breakouts, your menstrual cycle can also affect your digestive system. One reason for this is because the same hormones that stimulate uterine contractions can also stimulate your bowels. The result: period poops.
Got gut problems? It might be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Take our quick self test quiz to see if you could have IBS, assess whether your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, and get a free evaluation based on your responses.
Looking for ways to calm an IBS flare up? You're not alone. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal condition affecting around 15% of people, with symptoms including stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Although IBS is typically a chronic (long-lasting) condition, many people's symptoms come and go. If you're experiencing an increase in symptoms, here are some helpful strategies to soothe an IBS flare-up.
Can peppermint oil help with IBS? Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a lip balm, toothpaste, and cold remedy but recent evidence shows that it is useful for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Anxiety and diarrhea can go hand in hand, with the noise in our minds being deeply connected to unwanted symptoms in our guts. Here’s why anxiety and diarrhea are so intertwined and what steps you can take right now to start feeling better.
Have you ever found yourself deeply engrossed in a book? Or so caught up in a film that time seemed to pass effortlessly? If so, you may have experienced a routine form of hypnosis, what many practitioners refer to as the “everyday trance.”
Have you arrived home after a drive and not remembered the details of the drive? Almost everyone who drives has had this common experience, a phenomenon that has come to be called highway hypnosis.
Research has found that hypnosis is an effective tool that you can use to reduce your social anxiety. It can help you develop better ways of managing your fears, calming your anxieties in social situations, and improving your quality of life.
In an unlucky twist of fate, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) places you at a higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both conditions affect the digestive system and may impact quality of life.Occasional heartburn is common, but GERD occurs when heartburn is frequent. IBS is a collection of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as pain in the abdomen and constipation or diarrhea. Having one of these conditions is bad enough, but many people have to deal with both.
In a recent randomized controlled trial, Australian researchers showed that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. The team from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, showed hypnotherapy was equal in effectiveness to the low FODMAP diet for relieving symptoms of IBS such as bloating and abdominal pain.
Nervous stomach? You're not alone. Pain in the stomach and abdominal area is a common symptom for a range of issues, and anxiety and stress may be responsible for this pain if no other biological cause (e.g., stomach ulcers) can be found.
Ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a “public health emergency of international concern”, lives have changed for many of us. Our thoughts, conversations and daily activities have become dominated by the coronavirus narrative.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. The virus causes well-known symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath. However, the virus may also induce digestive (gastrointestinal) symptoms in around half of the patients, and may be transmitted through poo. It is important clinicians and the public are aware of the link between the coronavirus and the digestive system to prevent the spread of the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm and become a global pandemic. The flu-like symptoms are well known, such as dry cough and fever, however, the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are less widely acknowledged. Symptoms such as diarrhoea and loss of appetite occur in up to half of patients with coronavirus, and it is crucial that these symptoms are made known (1). This article explains the digestive issues caused by the Coronavirus and compares them to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition experienced by 1 in 7 people globally (2).
The colon is the part of the large intestine responsible for storing and excreting feces. A ‘spastic colon’ describes an increase in muscle contractions of the large intestine that creates a spasm sensation, frequent bowel movements, cramping and diarrhea.
Have you ever felt ‘butterflies in your stomach’ when nervous? According to science, there is a very real connection between gut and mind. This ‘gut-brain’ explains how stress and anxiety can contribute to IBS, and also how the food you eat can impact your mental health. By understanding the mind-gut connection, science can help improve your mental and gastrointestinal health.
IBS and nausea are unfortunately interlinked. Nausea is an unpleasant sensation involving the urge to vomit, and a common symptom in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nausea affects roughly one-third of people with IBS. (1) The symptom of nausea may substantially affect quality of life and may lead to anxiety and depression. (2)
While most people make a full recovery after suffering from an intestinal illness, like acute gastroenteritis, some people go on to develop continued gut discomfort or even IBS. So, what do you need to know about this kind of IBS, what symptoms do people with post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) experience, and who is more likely to develop this condition after an infection? Read on to learn more about post-infectious IBS and learn about common treatments.
If you are in pain right now, you’re not alone. Pain is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor. Studies estimate that between 11 % and 40 % of the population experiences pain.[1] Low back pain, neck pain and headaches are the leading causes of disability worldwide, with almost two billion people affected by recurrent tension-type headaches alone.[2]
Some people swear by their morning coffee to maintain healthy digestion. However, the caffeine in coffee can stimulate the intestines and worsen symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). So, should you give up your daily cup or find a healthy way to enjoy your favorite brew? Read on to learn more about the effects of coffee on the digestive system and see if you can avoid caffeine-powered flare-ups.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a long-term gastrointestinal disorder that causes discomfort and pain abdomen. It is also known as spastic colon, mucous colitis and nervous colon. IBS may cause distress and impact quality of life, but does not lead to severe complications.
Looking for natural home remedies for IBS? While prescription medicines may help relieve some IBS symptoms, they're not appropriate for everyone, and many people prefer to use herbs and other non-medicated tools to promote better gut health and ease IBS symptoms.
If you’ve ever experienced 'butterflies in your stomach' then you have felt the effects of the stress-gut connection. For many, stress and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) go hand in hand. By understanding and managing stress you can help reduce your symptoms of IBS.
Suffering from anxiety and constipation? You're not alone. Constipation is a common problem for both children and adults. According to diagnostic criteria, constipation is fewer than three bowel movements in one week. Constipation affects one in five people globally and in higher rates among the elderly.(1),(2)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and depression often occur together. However, depression does not directly cause IBS and depression is not the sole cause of IBS. Understanding the connection between IBS symptoms and mood disorders will help patients who suffer from both to receive better treatment. This article will discuss the overlap between depression and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and outline the available treatment options.
IBS and anxiety are unfortunately very much connected, with up to 40% of IBS patients also suffering from an anxiety disorder. Why is this the case and what does it mean for treating IBS? It's all down to the gut-brain connection.
Ever just know that someone else doesn’t like you without ever finding out for real? If you have, you may have been suffering from one of the many thinking traps or cognitive distortions that can hijack your brain. In 1976, psychologist Aaron Beck first proposed the theory behind cognitive distortions and in the 1980s, David Burns was responsible for popularizing it with common names and examples for the distortions.
