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IBS suffered by 50 million; tips offered on dealing with the disorder

What is IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome we hear about from time to time?

Well, IBS is not a disease, it’s a functional disorder of the colon (large intestine) that causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea.

With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the bowel are extra-sensitive.

For example, the muscles may contract too much when you eat.

These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal.

Or the nerves can be overly sensitive to the stretching of the bowel (i.e. because of gas) and cramping or pain can result.

IBS is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder because no structural or biochemical cause can be found to explain the symptoms.

Upon diagnostic testing, the colon shows no evidence of disease such as ulcers or inflammation. Therefore, IBS is diagnosed only after other possible digestive disorders and diseases have been ruled out. It is also important to know that IBS does not lead to diseases such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or any type of bowel cancer.

So if you have gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, mucous in the stool or diarrhea you may want to consider the possibility that you could be one of the 50 million individuals suffering from this functional disorder.

So what causes IBS or Irritable Bowel?

Well, the muscles in the colon normally contract a few times a day, moving and digesting foods along the way ultimately resulting in a bowel movement.

It is believed that in a person with IBS, these muscles are exceptionally sensitive to certain stimuli, or triggers.

These triggers are things such as certain foods, medications, or stress, which can provoke a strong response in the colon of a person with IBS.

It has also been suggested that some incidence of IBS could be caused by Candida, the overgrowth of a type of yeast found in the colon.

This overgrowth of yeast can be caused by certain medications or other medical conditions, and may cause a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms.

While foods may not cause IBS, eating certain foods called "trigger foods" can set off symptoms.

Unfortunately, there is no one diet that will work for all people with IBS, but there are some guidelines that may help. Eating several smaller meals during the day, rather than three large ones may help to reduce symptoms (large meals may result in cramping and diarrhea).  It may be helpful to keep meals low in fat and high in whole-grains, rice, fruits, vegetables and high fiber cereals. A low fat, high protein diet may also help with pain experienced after eating.

Common trigger foods include: alcohol, artificial sweeteners, artificial fat (i.e. olestra), carbonated beverages, coffee, dairy, egg yolks, fried foods, oils, poultry skin and dark meat, red meat, shortening and chocolate.

Consuming soluble fiber can help reduce the symptoms of IBS.

Fiber may prevent spasms because it keeps the colon somewhat distended.

It also absorbs water, which helps to keep stools from being too hard and therefore difficult to pass. Switching to a high fiber diet may initially cause gas and bloating but these symptoms should decrease in a few weeks as the body adjusts. Foods high in soluble fiber include: barley, brown rice and citrucel (methylcelluolse),

Many people with IBS turn to other supplements to augment or replace traditional medical therapy. There are supplements that may help with IBS symptoms.

Supplementing fiber may be helpful to insure you get the necessary fiber in your diet.

There are three main types of soluble fiber supplements (psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil) and each has varying uses, side effects, and properties.

A few others are Acidophilus, the “good bacteria” that lives in your colon.

This supplement can help the healthy gut bacteria grow, while reducing the harmful bacteria. Another source of healthy bacteria is yogurt (make sure it contains live cultures). Chamomile, a known anti-spasmotic can soothe the muscles in the digestive tract.

While no human studies have been performed on this supplement in relation to IBS, it has shown to reduce irritation and cramping in animals. Chamomile can be taken as a tea, or as a capsule.

Ginger has long been known to help with nausea, and may also be helpful in stimulating peristalsis and reducing painful cramps.

Peppermint oil can relax muscles throughout the digestive tract. Peppermint oil can be taken in either capsule or tea form.

It is important to note that supplements may have side effects and interact with medications, so be sure you consult with your physician or nutritionist before trying these.

Proper nutrition in conjunction with a consistent exercise program really does do a body good.

For more information call us at (888) 348-7623) or visit our Web site, fitnessroad.com.

Take care, God bless and be healthy,Rebecca (guest columnist for Mick)

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