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Yes for some people simply the act of eating can trigger an IBS attack irrespective of the food eaten.

For others the trigger can occur after eating or it can be delayed for example until indigestible food reaches the colon where it is fermented. The spasms maybe triggered at the beginning or near the end of the colon. In summary colonic spasms can be trigger almost anywhere along the GI track. So symptoms from food trigger can occur anywhere from a few minutes to many hours after ingestion. Furthermore, hormones, illness and variety of other factors can trigger IBS symptoms. It is a very complex syndrome and the time delays make tracking symptoms from foods difficult.

You might find some of interviews IBS experts on International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders web site of interest. In particular, the first one with Dr. Whorwell.

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Okay, thanks Syl! I guess I just got confused because Heather mentions the colonic spasms triggered by the gastrocolic reflex most often.

However, the way you described it makes more sense; I've found Heather's diet to help with both my IBS "attacks" (the ones triggered by the gastrocolic reflex, a minute to an hour after eating a "wrong" food) and my IBS "overall pain" (the pain the is more vague and can't be traced back to any particular trigger). Now I see why!

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Sarah, IBS-alternating

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:13

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