WIBN Blog

Key Differences Between IBS and IBD: Understanding and Managing Both

Posted By Anni Summers, Registered Dietitian and Gut Health Specialist, 16 May 2024

Key Differences Between IBS and IBD: Understanding and Managing Both

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) might share symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating, but they are fundamentally different conditions with unique causes and treatment methods.

IBS, classified as a disorder of gut-brain interaction, presents symptoms without visible damage to the intestines and is managed primarily through dietary and lifestyle changes for symptom management. In contrast, IBD is an autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract, requiring more complex treatments including anti-inflammatory medications and potentially surgery.

Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. For a deeper dive into how these conditions affect daily life and their distinct diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies, check out the full blog. Explore comprehensive insights and expert guidance tailored to help individuals manage their conditions successfully.

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*Image credit Canva 2024

Tags: calm dietitian gut health health Healthy mental health women's health

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Understanding the IBS-Stress Connection: How Stress Influences Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Posted By Anni Summers, Registered Dietitian and Gut Health Specialist, 18 April 2024

Understanding the relationship between stress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is crucial for managing the uncomfortable symptoms of this digestive disorder. Stress impacts IBS through hormonal changes, particularly the release of cortisol, which disrupts digestion and increases gut sensitivity. The connection between the mind and the gut, known as the gut-brain axis, plays a vital role in how stress affects IBS symptoms.

Recognising and managing stress triggers is essential for improving digestive health. Exercise, mindfulness, and meditation can significantly alleviate stress and, consequently, reduce IBS symptoms. Additionally, dietary adjustments like reducing caffeine and high-fat foods, and incorporating probiotics, can support a healthier gut.

For those struggling with stress-related IBS, adopting a holistic approach that includes both psychological and physical interventions is beneficial. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance, managing stress through practical techniques, and seeking professional guidance are key strategies for effective IBS management.

>> Click here to read the full blog post

Want to take control and start your journey to better gut health?
👉 Book a FREE discovery call with me today

Tags: calm dietitian gut health health healthy sleeping habits mental health relaxation women's health

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A Minute or Two with Beverley Densham from Mindfulness Pilates

Posted By Beverley Densham, Pilates, 26 November 2023

1 who is the face behind the label?

I’m a completely single parent to my 18 year old son Sammy & proud of the parent I am. I have a deep love for the sea, plunging in the sea all year round, walking by the sea and in nature, sitting in nature to be, rest & journal, a passion of mine, love coffee shops, cosy family time at home & saunas on the beach!

2. What’s your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?

Helping you reduce back pain to feel good, but it’s much more than that, the Mindfulness Pilates 121 programmes & classes include meditation, mindset, positive affirmations & 1 minute journaling, teaching you how to incorporate Pilates into your daily lifestyle & also to help with your mental health, wellbeing & happiness too.
The stress management teaching is for individuals & teams, whether that’s a law firm, corporate, teacher, school or nurse. The stress to calm tools are 1 minute each or 7 minutes in total, they are do-able & effective for stress management, better mental health & wellbeing.

I can help you…

Why?

Help you feel better. Help you move better and do more in your life. Even if you have health problems, chronic fatigue I can even help you with a sitting 121 or sitting class.

My classes are for ALL levels of fitness and even those struggling with their health & all ages

I give people their confidence back in their own bodies and minds.

If you can’t do something, it doesn’t matter, I will find you a comfortable alternative & teach you to say well done to what you can do, accept where you are & find a new quality of life

I ALWAYS adapt - make people feel special in class. This is important to me, love doing that for people. That’s gold for people

3. What time does your typical day start?

8am -2pm is the main teaching & meetings of the day, with 10 classes a week, business networking, writing books, radio & podcast interviews, articles to write.

I then go out to play, a walk in a park, a cappuccino & journaling time, see a friend for a plunge in the sea or something to get moving & rest.

Then back to work lying down with the laptop! Sometimes another interview

4. Full English or yoghurt and muesli?

It’s a pack of celery juiced! Followed by chocolate porridge & blueberries

5. What drives you?

There is a spark of inspiration and determination which drives me & am constantly learning & researching different ways & new tools to help with mental health & happiness. I like designing things to help with making a difference to your wellbeing, physical, mental health & happiness, which of course is for the soul & family life, work & having a harmonious home is of paramount importance.

If I can bring some extra sparkle and happiness to someone’s day and help reduce some of their aches & pains that’s a good day.

My son Sammy drives me too, to be the best Mum & role model I can be for him too

To be a role model, practicing what I teach.

6. What are you most proud of in your business?

That after over 25 years of teaching that I’m more inspired than ever & that it’s a more rich & profound experience working with me now, you’ll gain multiple benefits. I was so proud of book 1, book 2 I talk to angels was so proud, like a Wimbledon Trophy seeing it in a bookshop & Waterstones for the first time, exciting becoming a published Author & having a team, I jumped for JOY. Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes writing the foreword to the book was amazing too.

To have helped many clients become pain free or reduce their pains & live better quality of life

To be following my guidance & inspiration with the next series of books am very proud, it’s been so tough but now living a dream lifestyle & come through the light at the end of the tunnel. With mental health it can be a dark tunnel at times and my wish is our books the stress to calm series help many with their mental health, wellbeing & stress management at home & work, life doesn’t have to be as tough, try our stress to calm tools to feel & see the difference

So the next 3 books with my co-Author Janey Lee Grace are Stress to Calm in 7 minutes for Lawyers, then for teachers & nurses too…..

7. What bit of advice would you give your younger self starting out?

Do not get married, ask for help, say when somethings wrong, do not be a workaholic. Read divorcing a narcissist.

8. What brings you to be doing what you’re doing today?

After studying for a degree in Sports Science at the University of Brighton, travelled the world, in Bondi Beach, Sydney discovered Pilates exercise after suffering from back pain. It helped. Then after a major road traffic accident in Cairns, Northern Queensland, had an operation & mental health recovery & re-habilitated from the operation, then trained in London to teach Pilates & had a successful six figure business and two Pilates in person studios for 16 years in Hertfordshire and helped hundreds of clients. After the rock bottom of divorce & childbirth (nearly died). Was brave, set a goal to re-locate to Dorset & started from scratch, now teach on zoom successfully with clients gaining the same benefits.

12. Perfectionist?

I try my best.

13. If your business was a song what would it be?

Definitely chariots of fire 🔥

14. What would you like people to say about your brand when they recommend it to friends?

It’s worth it, wish they’d started younger, that yes it helps their aches & pains but it also improves the quality of life, mental health and happiness, they LOVE coming along & willing to practice daily too the tools, so they are self empowered too.

15. A gift for you:

Try a free Mindfulness Pilates taster class with me (in exchange for a testimonial) on zoom, book in here https://www.pilatestofeelgood.com/mindfulness-pilates-taster-class would love to teach, look after & inspire you

Feel stronger, happy & calm

Love Bev

Beverley Densham
Mindfulness Pilates teacher & Author

www.mindfulnessPilates.com

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Tags: calm happiness lawyer lawyers mental health Pilates solicitor stress wellbeing

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Reduce back pain and keep moving to keep playing golf/ your passion

Posted By Beverley Densham, Pilates, 20 September 2021

Just taught my Dad Terry!) one to one mindfulness Pilates on zoom, doesn’t matter where you live you can always do your Pilates! There is no excuse! My dad is 83-year-old years old, and in his younger days he was an international England table tennis player and has always been really sporty. He was county champion in three sports: squash, tennis and table tennis! And his love of sport continues - an avid golfer, he plays several times a week but in more recent times he has suffered with his back and at times experiences severe pain, limping, terrible posture, which affects his daily life and golf.

He has done all the right things; he saw his GP and had x-rays. With scoliosis and disc problems showing, he saw the consultant as well as a really good practitioner who's been helping with his spine. He’s also helping himself with a lot of daily movement.

He’s been going to the spa daily for an hour for the jet massage in the pool - it’s a bit like hydrotherapy with massage on the jets, which is extremely helpful for the muscles and he exercises and stretches in the lovely warm pool too, which is really helpful with the Pilates stretches and working on the posture.

He has been practising his Pilates daily for over 23 years and having lessons on and off with me, but now we’re back doing one-to-one Pilates on Zoom, so we can take his back to the next level. His posture has really improved lately and his pain levels have gone down and his posture was already improved after this session of Pilates today. And finally adding in some really good specific back strengthening exercises at a level that is comfortable - that’s really important.

We are working on opening up the posture limbering up the shoulders and upper body, stretching out the chest and shoulders and encouraging the back to naturally go into its more natural alignment, which in turn will also help the golf. A good effort, well done Dad (Terry).

Love Bev.

Read the full blog here.

Watch the Youtube Video here.