Is your IBS worse in the morning, afternoon or evening?

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Is your IBS worse in the morning, afternoon or evening?

IBS tends to be worse in the morning. When you wake up, the motility of your large intestines increases. This can lead to IBS. Stress, which affects your gut motility, might also play a factor as you prepare to tackle your day.

Melatonin, otherwise known as the sleep hormone, plays an important part in gut physiology including the regulation of motility (movement), anti-inflammatory processes, and visceral (inner organ) sensation. This hormone is produced in two places: the brain and our gut. Our bodies produce melatonin throughout the night to help us sleep, but with IBS there is a miscommunication between our brain and our gut which can negatively affect the production of melatonin from our intestines. This can affect sleep quality and duration, as well as induce IBS symptoms first thing in the morning.

It’s no secret that there is a strong link between emotional disorders, life stressors and IBS symptoms. There are so many nerves that start in the brain and connect to the gut (and vice versa), which is one of the main reasons why stress, depression and anxiety have such a big impact on our gut issues.

Let us know what time of the day is worse for you.

[Ursula M]

The morning is the absolute worst.  I dread going to bed knowing what is waiting for me in the morning.  Nausea, gas pains, depression.