IBS May Respond To Expressive Writing

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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If you've got irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) you are not alone. About 15 percent of the U.S. population suffers from IBS.

New research may indicate that writing your thoughts and feelings or as the researchers call it, "expressive writing", may reduce your symptoms of IBS.

"Symptoms of IBS may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and constipation. The 82 patients in the IBS study reported improvements in disease severity, coping and thinking (including negative thoughts) one and three months after writing. At three months, they also said their quality of life was better."

Expressive writing has made a difference for people who were depressed, and also for people with AIDS, chronic pain, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mental and emotional stress can depress the immune system. It has already been established that there is a significant link between the brain and the nervous system that resides in the gut. It is also known that this link between brain and gut can and does affect the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2010/06/23/eline/links/20100623elin004.html

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.