I was very happy to be inv
ited to present about the role diet has to play in the management of bowel problems at a Pelvic Pain seminar, sponsored by SHine SA and Pelvic Pain Australia.
Pelvic pain (such as bladder pain, endometriosis, vulvodynia) affects one in five women, and one in twelve men at some stage in their life, however it is a condition that is rarely discussed and the cause and treatments have not been extensively investigated. During the two-day seminar, a range of speakers including a gynaecologist, urologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, physiotherapist, pain medicine practitioner, general practitioner and sexologist, presented how they manage pelvic pain in their clients.
In many cases, pelvic pain can also been managed by diet, as I discussed during the seminar. Pain in the pelvis and bladder can communicate with the bowel and may lead to symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The low FODMAP diet has been shown to successfully improve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in many sufferers. For some individuals with bladder pain, specific food chemicals (natural and artificial) have been identified to trigger symptoms that can be managed by a low food chemical diet.
For many a low FODMAP diet and/or a low food chemical diet may seem overwhelming, especially as certain foods need to be at least initially eliminated from the diet. A qualified dietitian is able to explain the diet(s) and the reasoning behind implementing the diet(s), to help identify trigger foods and assist with the re-introduction of foods that do not need to be excluded. This ensures that symptoms are managed, nutrition needs are met and more importantly that foods are not being eliminated unnecessarily.
If you suffer from pelvic pain and would like to know how some changes in your diet may relieve any associated bowel issues or bladder pain, contact Amelia Pilichiewicz at Nutrition Strategies on
1300 88 65 44 or
by email on admin@nutritionstrategies.com.au
