Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the large intestine, often caused by food intolerances and reactions.
IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, especially after eating. It may also cause diarrhea or constipation. There are two types of IBS: IBS-D (diarrhea) and IBS-C (constipation).
Rather than being a disease, distinguishing it from coeliac and inflammatory bowel disease, it is categorised by a collection of symptoms and is classified as a chronic condition.
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
The most common symptom of IBS is abdominal pain. Some people with IBS have cramping, bloating or gas. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel habits, and fatigue; however, digestive symptoms (gastrointestinal symptoms) are the most common
Symptoms can vary over time. For example, some people experience more severe symptoms at night, while others get them during the day. Eating certain trigger foods can worsen symptoms.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can include:
- Abdominal pain/cramping (Belly pain / stomach pain)
- Chronic/episodic diarrhoea and/or chronic constipation
- Bloated, swollen abdomen
- Flatulence
- Frequent, incomplete evacuation of stools
- Stool inconsistency
- Presence of undigested food or mucus in stools
- Irregular bowel movements
- Spastic colon
- Weight loss / or weight gain
- Irritable colon
WHAT CAUSES IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can slowly develop over time, but is often triggered by an illness or stressful event. IBS is often multi-factorial, as there are several contributing factors, such as:
- Food intolerances and sensitivities – most sufferers report that certain foods aggravate their symptoms. Different foods can trigger different reactions, often only after consuming a certain amount over the person’s “threshold”. Salicylates, Amines and Glutamates are typically the culprits of food intolerance. They are found in many healthy and common foods, which can confuse people who begin new diets. Many people resort to restrictive diets to combat symptoms.
- Leaky gut – a condition where the lining of the gut becomes porous (“leaky”) and inflamed, allowing more undigested food, bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream. This is no surprise, as our intestines cover approximately four thousand square feet of surface area inside us, which helps control absorption by forming a tight barrier between the stomach contents and the blood stream.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) – a condition where a large amount of certain bacteria nests in the small intestine, which can damage the cell lining of the gut. An infection occurs when there are more bacteria in the small intestines. Bacteria from these sources may be present in smaller quantities elsewhere in the body, but are usually removed by normal bowel movements. It can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea, and can even lead to malnutrition. This may occur if the gut flora starts using up the body’s nutrients.
The correlation betweengut health and allergies is often circular. Gut conditions can cause food reactions, and food reactions can cause gut conditions. When undetected, food reactions can spark an inflammatory cycle where the gut lining struggles to repair, and new food reactions can develop, resulting in a progressive worsening in symptoms.
FOOD INTOLERANCES & IBS
A food intolerance (also known as a food sensitivity) occurs when a person has trouble breaking down thenatural food chemicalsor additives found in food.
Unlike food allergies, which affect the body’s immune system, food intolerances involve the digestive system. They can be tricky to diagnose, because they often do not show up on allergy testing, and reaction times may vary considerably from person to person. In fact, food intolerance symptoms can even rear their ugly heads up to three days after you’ve eaten!
Common IBS food triggers include:
- Insoluble fibre
- Sugars and sweeteners
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Gluten, wheat and other grains
- Dairy (especially cheese)
- Soy products
- Processed foods (refined foods)
- Spicy foods
- Allium Vegetables (vegetables that add a lot of flavour to foods like onions and garlic)
- Calciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy and brussels sprouts)
Natural and synthetic food chemicals can also trigger reactions, such as:
- Salicylates– high in colourful fruits and vegetables
- Amines– high in aged foods, such as cheese, wine, chocolate and cured meats
- Glutamates – high in processed foods and sauces (e.g. MSG)
- Food additives– including preservatives, sweeteners, flavour enhancers and colourings
- FODMAPS – a group of carbohydrates found naturally in various foods and food additives
Many sufferers find that they have a tolerance “threshold” of certain foods, and once they surpass this “threshold”, it can lead to a flare-up in symptoms.
How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?
There is no cure for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But you can manage your symptoms by using natural remedies, alternative medicines and prescribed medications.
Prescribed medications include;
Antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, antidepressant, and antibiotic agents that deal primarily with the symptoms and ease pain and discomfort. Antidepressants may help those whose condition is triggered by stress and anxiety.
Probiotic treatments may help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), who experience alternating constipation and diarrhea. Some studies suggest that probiotics may also help reduce anxiety and stress related to IBS.
Non-prescription remedies include stress reduction and dietary changes.
Multicomponent therapy
Multicomponent therapies are holistic approaches that address all aspects of your health. This includes diet, lifestyle, exercise, emotional well-being, sleep hygiene, and relaxation techniques.
For example, one multicomponent approach might include:
- A low FODMAP diet (see below)
- Stress management strategies (cognitive therapy, relaxation training
- Sleep hygiene
- Exercise programs
- Herbal remedies (Nutritional supplements
- Dietary management (making dietary modifications)
- Lifestyle changes
- Family history, and other medical conditions
How can I reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?
IBS cannot be prevented, but symptoms can certainly be reduced by careful changes to your diet. High-fibre foods may help reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Adults should aim to eat about 25 grams of fibre per day. Try to include 1 serving of breakfast cereal in the morning and at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Choose a dairy-free or lactose free alternative when possible. Drink plenty of water.
Low FODMAP diet is recommended. FODMAP is short for Fermentables Oligosacharides, Disaccharide, Monosacharide, and Polyols. This is the chemical name for different sugars badly absorbed in the intestines, which can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Some FODMAP foods include fermented foods, beans, onions and dairy.
Other proven strategies to reduce Irritable Bowel syndrome symptoms include physiotherapy to improve pelvic floor dysfunction, hypnosis and relaxation exercises.
NATURAL TREATMENT FORIBS
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland, we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help identify which substances you may be reacting to.
Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address your reactions using a natural allergy treatment calledPositive Association Technique (PAT)as a natural treatment for IBS.
PAT is a non-invasive, holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to retrain your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances triggering your IBS symptoms
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE PAT OVER TRADITIONAL TREATMENT TO ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES
People love PAT’s non-invasive nature;
- No needles
- No herbal remedies
- No supplements
- No avoidance (in fact, you’ll be holding a vial of the substance in your hand).
PAT complements well when combined with small lifestyle changes, which means you can use PAT alone or combine it with some simple lifestyle modifications for better results.
Some IBS cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements, herbs and lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
E05 Podcast – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Please note PAT cannot “cure” irritable bowel syndrome – we aim to reduce your reactions and help manage irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms. We do not intend to raise unrealistic expectations. If symptoms persist, consult your health care professional.
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