Can anorexia cause IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)?

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Research highlights the increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in those suffering from an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa (AN). Studies have shown that 90% of people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (BN) have gastrointestinal issues, such as abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.¹ And many studies linking the conditions find the eating disorder exists before IBS symptoms are present.

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Last updated on

May 30, 2024

Anorexia issues

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What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal system caused by an overly sensitive colon and large intestine. Symptoms include:²

Bloating
Nausea
Lower abdomen pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Problems swallowing food
Heartburn

Symptoms of IBS tend to flare up and die down over time and can last for days, weeks, or months at a time. IBS can be frustrating to live with, but the symptoms are manageable with the proper treatment.

Several factors can contribute to IBS, such as chronic anxiety or stress, over-sensitive gut nerves, family history, disordered eating patterns, or poor nutrition.

The link between anorexia and IBS

When examining IBS and the eating disorder anorexia, there are many ways in which these two disorders interconnect. People who have anorexia nervosa usually experience a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms, either as a direct result of self-starvation and poor dietary habits or due to excessive laxative use or electrolyte disturbances.³

When a person with AN severely restricts their caloric intake, nutrients will be diverted to the vital organs first. With the gastrointestinal system starved of nutrients, IBS symptoms can follow.⁴

Food restriction can also disrupt the body’s balance of “good” bacteria, damaging the immune system, exacerbating the symptoms of IBS, and causing other gastrointestinal issues.⁴

Those with IBS also have an altered gut-brain connection. This means the psychological issues common in people with anorexia, such as stress, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors, can also worsen the severity of IBS symptoms.⁴

People who struggle with anorexia delay treatment for many reasons., They may be in denial, they often have an intense fear of gaining weight, they have a distorted view of their body, they fear the discomfort that follows a meal, or they have developed an aversion to certain foods—"fear foods"—they believe will result in IBS symptoms.

But addressing disordered eating behaviors is necessary to avoid further complications from IBS and other serious conditions anorexia can cause if left untreated for too long.

How to treat IBS and anorexia

When an eating disorder, like anorexia, and IBS are both present in a person, it’s crucial to treat the underlying causes and disordered eating behaviors, as well as the irritable bowel symptoms. A multidisciplinary team of psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, medical professionals, and nurses with specialized expertise in treating eating disorders will develop a program that best suits the individual’s needs.

A combination of behavioral, experiential, nutritional, and group therapies will help uncover mental health triggers for disordered eating behaviors and food-related phobias and teach strategies to cope with them. Meal support will ensure both nutritional and emotional needs are met, providing the encouragement that’s essential for well-being.

Eating disorder treatment can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Learn more

Nutritional counseling may also play a key role in educating individuals about the nutrients the body needs for proper functioning and how disordered eating behaviors may contribute to gastrointestinal issues, such as bloating, which shouldn’t be confused with weight gain.

Once disordered eating behaviors improve, and the individual is making progress in therapy, the symptoms of IBS usually improve. For many, restoring normalized eating behaviors, a balanced diet, and reducing stress and anxiety will reduce IBS symptoms.

Others may require additional support to reduce IBS symptoms and improve gut health. This will likely come from an IBS-specialist dietician and doctor, who may prescribe medications and develop a meal plan.

Tips to improve IBS symptoms

Anorexia nervosa is a very serious, sometimes life-threatening condition that requires highly specialized medical and psychiatric intervention and a comprehensive treatment plan. While this is not a treatment plan and must be approved by a treatment professional, these tips may help relieve the symptoms of IBS. They include:⁵

Keeping a food diary to see which foods trigger IBS symptoms
Minimizing consumption of alcohol and fizzy drinks and drinking no more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water to aid digestion
Engaging in relaxing exercises, such as yoga, pilates, or walking, to help ease stress and tension
Taking probiotics to improve stomach chemistry and gut sensitivity
Not skipping meals and avoiding heavily processed foods
Addressing stress and anxiety

Struggling with IBS and an eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a hard cycle to break without professional help.

If you suspect you or someone you know may have anorexia nervosa and IBS, Within Health is here to help.

Call for a consultation >

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

Harer, K. N. (2019). Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Disordered Eating, and Eating Disorders. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 15(5).
Ekern, B. (2016, January 24). Recovering from IBS and bulimia. Eating Disorder Hope.
Perkins, S. J., Keville, S., Schmidt, U., Chalder, T. (2005). Eating disorders and irritable bowel syndrome: is there a link? Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 59(2), 57-64.
Ekern, J. (2021, August 5). The Role of Gut Health in Eating Disorders. Eating Disorder Hope.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (n.d.). NHS.
Onteeru, M. (2023). Pellagra as a potential complication of anorexia nervosa: A comprehensive literature review. Human Nutrition & Metabolism, 32, 200197.
Santonicola, A., Gagliardi, M., Guarino, M. P. L., Siniscalchi, M., Ciacci, C., Iovino, P. (2019). Eating Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases. Nutrients, 11(12), 3038.

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