Welcome to Onaka no Tane: Living with Gas-Type IBS

Hello, and welcome.

Before I begin, I’d like to mention one thing. English isn’t my first language, so I use AI to help me write and proofread my posts. My goal is to share my experiences as accurately as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

I’m a high school student in Japan, currently attending an online high school while learning to live with my health condition.

For the past few years, I’ve been living with a form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that I call Gas-Type IBS — IBS where excessive gas and flatulence are the main symptoms.

Although my symptoms have improved compared to the past, most days are still difficult, and when they get worse, they can stay that way for a long time. There are still many moments when my body does things I simply can’t control.

Today, I wanted to begin this blog with a calm mind and share why I decided to start writing.

What I hope to share here

1. Raising awareness of Gas-Type IBS

This is the main focus of my blog.

Unlike abdominal pain, the struggles caused by excessive gas are often misunderstood or overlooked. Through my own experiences, I’ll write about how frightening it can be to sit in a quiet classroom, take an exam, or simply be around other people when your symptoms are beyond your control.

I hope to put into words an experience that is difficult to explain and even harder for others to understand.

I’ll also write about ADHD and my experiences as a student at an online high school in Japan. These are important parts of my life, and I hope they can also help people better understand invisible struggles.

2. Sharing what has helped me

I’ll share the things I’ve tried to make everyday life a little easier, including the low FODMAP diet, digital tools, gadgets, and other practical ideas that have genuinely helped me.

From time to time, I’d also like to share books, movies, and other things that I’ve enjoyed or found meaningful along the way.

3. Looking for ways to build a more understanding society

Some challenges can’t be solved through personal effort alone.

Quiet classrooms, exam environments, limited food options, and the lack of awareness of invisible conditions are just a few examples.

I’d like to explore what kinds of accommodations, systems, products, and ideas could help create a society where everyone can live a little more comfortably.

Why “Onaka no Tane”?

In Japanese, onaka means “stomach” or “belly,” and tane means “seed.”

I chose this name because I hope to plant the seeds of awareness and understanding about Gas-Type IBS.

Finally

It took me about a year to find the words to explain this condition to the people around me.

If my experiences can help even one person feel less alone, make someone’s daily life a little easier, or help others better understand invisible conditions, then starting this blog will have been worthwhile.

I’ll be updating at my own pace.

Thank you so much for reading.