General Information and Resource Guide
JUST WHAT IS IBS?
If you just cannot stay out of the bathroom, your digestive system seems totally out of control, and your stomach is often "tied in knots," then you may be having bouts of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, is characterized by recurring symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping that appear without a clear cause. IBS accounts for 30 to 50 percent of patient visits to gastroenterologists (physicians who specialize in disorders of the intestinal tract).
IBS is the most common of all the digestive disorders and its most frequent symptom is moderate to severe abdominal pain coupled with diarrhea. The diarrhea associated with IBS is not true diarrhea in that there is no increase in stool volume. Patients sometimes pass mucus with the stools and have a sensation of incomplete evacuation of the bowels following defecation. In other patients, IBS comes with abdominal cramps and painful constipation, which could lead to other difficulties of the colon, such as polyps, cancer, hemorrhoids, and bleeding.
Twice as many women as men report IBS symptoms to their physicians, but many people experience IBS without recognizing it and never seek medical attention. Only a small percentage of the population has chronic symptoms, yet IBS is estimated to affect about fifteen percent of adults at some time in their lives. The onset of IBS is usually in early adulthood, although it can affect children, and often strikes during periods of significant change or stress.
SYMPTOMS
- Constipation or diarrhea shortly after meals, over a period of several months, usually accompanied by abdominal cramps or bloating and increased intestinal gas.
- Bowel movements different in frequency or consistency from your normal pattern.
There is no known cause of IBS. Many authorities consider it a stress-induced illness, while others lean toward food sensitivities, especially as people age. Overeating or binge eating, is known to aggravate or irritate the bowels, as does too much fat in the diet. Lactose intolerance, eating irregularly or too quickly, and smoking may all be factors in IBS. The sugar substitutes sorbitol and aspartame can induce diarrhea in some people. Certain antibiotics alter the population of bacteria in the intestines, causing diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Morphine and codeine, the aluminum salts of antacids, and the prescription drug methotrexate can cause constipation and cause intestinal upset. Certain antihistamines, mineral supplements, diuretics, sedatives, food additives, antidepressants, and other chemical-based substances - including unfiltered water - can also result in constipation or diarrhea in some individuals.
Physicians diagnose IBS only after conducting a series of tests that rule out other gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal parasites, and polyps. These tests include a barium enema, stool parasite culture, and sigmoidoscopy, examination of the lower intestines with a hollow, tubelike instrument passed through the anus. Since stress is a potential element in IBS diagnosis, you may be asked about your personal history, including factors that may be causing emotional or psychological problems.
TREATMENTS
There is no cure for IBS and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. High fiber diets or antispasmodic drugs may relieve constipation, and antidiarrheal drugs may alleviate prolonged diarrhea. Although there is no scientific evidence linking irritable bowel syndrome and the amount of fiber in the diet, some people benefit from eating a high-fiber diet, while others find reducing their carbohydrate intake helps.
Conventional methods for treating IBS not only include increasing dietary fiber and reducing carbohydrates, but your doctor may also recommend an appropriately balanced nutritional program. Cutting fat, salt, and calories and eating foods rich in grains and protein may prove beneficial as will proper exercise and stress management. Your doctor may prescribe loperamide to slow the movement of food through the intestines, dicyclomide to calm the gastrointestinal tract, or atropine or belladonna to relieve stomach cramps.
Alternative choices include various herbal and dietary remedies which may be effective in preventing or soothing the discomfort of diarrhea and constipation. Relaxation techniques may be particularly effective in coping with the stress-related aspects of the syndrome. Sometimes the bacteria in your stomach and digestive tract are killed when you take certain antibiotics, or they become overwhelmed by other types of intestinal flora. Ingesting a cup of yogurt or using supplements containing "good bacteria" and enzymes will help counteract the negative effects of using prescription antibiotic drugs.
Some herbal therapies for IBS symptoms include using:
- carob (ceratonia siliqua) tea for relieving the diarrhea
- peppermint (mentha piperita) oil capsules or tea for calming an overactive gastrointestinal tract
- chamomile (matricaria recutita) tea for soothing the stomach cramps
- bayberry tea for soothing the intestinal tract and stomach
- slippery elm tea for relieving stomach cramps
Foods high in FIBER is of utmost importance in combating IBS. If you are like most people, you do not get enough fiber in your diet. To correct a fiber deficiency: gradually increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and bran in your diet; take one tablespoon of bran stirred into a glass of fruit juice or water every day; and use a quality psyllium-based fiber supplement. When using fiber-based supplements care should be taken to drink plenty of purified water, several more glasses than what you would normally drink.
To stop the diarrhea, try using an Activated Charcoal supplement, three or four times a day. Be aware that charcoal (an absorbing agent) may interfere with body's absorption and utilization of any other medications or supplements you may be taking.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
- You have pain in the lower left abdomen, fever, and sometimes a change in the frequency of bowel movements - you may have diverticulitis.
- You discover blood in your stools - you could have colorectal cancer or colon polyps.
- You have a fever, or you have been losing weight unexpectedly - such symptoms may signal disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease.
- Your stools are different from their usual frequency and consistency and may be passed with mucus - these may be warning signs of colorectal cancer or the beginnings of a serious intestinal health condition.
CLICK HERE to review a list of high-quality, premium nutritional products that are known helpful for fighting the symptoms of IBS. This list includes two products in particular that many have used with success for the relief of symptoms caused by various gastrointestinal disorders: COLON FORMULA and DIGESTIVE FORMULA. Colon Formula is a 100% natural soluble fiber, herbs, and beneficial micro-flora dietary supplement and Digestive Formula is a two-phase digestive enzyme supplement. Excellent products!
Links to other helpful resources:
- Colon Formula & Digestive Formula User Testimony
- Intestinal Health & Colon Cleansing
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about IBS
- IBS Self-Help Group
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome Resource Center
- DigestionInfo.com
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