Being a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is closely connected with the food we eat, and the way we eat it. This is why diet plays a very important role in alleviating or aggravating IBS. For the gut to properly function in digesting and moving waste material, a diet, modified according to the needs of the sufferer must be followed. Several food categories and methods of eating are more beneficial and are included in any recommended diet for irritable bowel syndrome sufferers.

Although symptoms are generally similar for most irritable bowel syndrome sufferers, there is no general pattern to be strictly followed in creating the optimum diet to relieve symptoms. Each diet is individualized, according the predominant symptoms they are suffering from, any specific allergies or intolerance they may have, their lifestyle as well as the patient’s personal preferences.

A dietary regime will usually begin with a general diet that has been shown to relieve symptoms in the majority of people, but changes may be made throughout the course of treatment, to adjust to the symptoms presented, as well as individual preferences.

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There are proven effects that some foods have on the gastrointestinal tract, which is why the content of the diet, as well as the manner of eating must be carefully observed to attain results. Generally, foods that make symptoms worse, by increasing abdominal pain and worsening bowel habits, are processed products, gas-forming fruits and vegetables, alcohol, lactose and caffeine. Also those foods high in fat and insoluble fiber are usually excluded initially from the diet.

The different categories of food can be detrimental to the passage of waste material in the intestinal tract and the colon. Adverse effects can cause pain in the area, as pressure of the contractions excites the nerve endings and also cause the swelling of the colon or abdominal distension, due to air accumulation.

These restricted foods are those that have been categorized as being gastrointestinal stimulants or irritants, which hamper the gastrocolic reflex. When there is a dysfunction of the gastrocolic reflex, digestion, absorption and evacuation can be difficult.

Soluble fiber can greatly aid in bowel movement, by relieving and relaxing the muscles in the intestines responsible for moving digested particles. In the case of irritable bowel syndrome, there is either hypercontractility (excessive contracting), which hastens the movement of the bowel, or hypocontractility (not enough contracting), which delays the movement of the bowel. The former can cause diarrhea, while the latter can cause constipation. It is not uncommon for both conditions to occur alternately in irritable bowel syndrome.

Soluble fiber can significantly help ease the contractions, which can reduce pain and discomfort in the area and stop both diarrhea and constipation episodes.

Choosing the right diet for irritable bowel syndrome relief is important. The identification of trigger foods and the introduction of foods that help ease symptoms, while restricting those that cause the symptoms to worsen is a slow but essential part of overcoming IBS.

By: Susan Reynolds

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irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. It is a disrupting condition in which sufferers usually experience gastrointestinal discomfort and bowel habit variability. Although, info on irritable bowel syndrome shows that the symptoms are extensive and reminiscent to other gastrointestinal disorders, it can be diagnosed by eliminating other conditions that have similar signs, and investigating the patient’s history and physical symptoms.

Aside from the main symptoms of abdominal pain and bowel habit changes, there are also other symptoms, which present themselves with irritable bowel syndrome.

Some of these symptoms include abdominal bloating or gassiness, presence of mucus in the stool and a feeling of not having been completely emptied after a bowel movement.

Bowel habit alterations are either predominately diarrhea or constipation depending on the variety of muscle contractions in the intestines. Although, some people can alternate between diarrhea and constipation.

The disorder is long-term in nature but is manageable and can be treatable, and the condition causes no physical changes or damage to the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Even in children, if they have IBS, there has been seen to be no effect on their development or growth.

The exact cause or trigger for IBS is still unknown. One explanation is that it may be caused by faulty communication between the brain and the intestinal tract, which causes muscle contractions thereby altering the digestive process presenting the symptoms of abdominal cramping and inconsistent bowel movement.

Neurotransmitters can be seen as chemicals in the brain that act as information carriers to the rest of the body. It is thought that with some IBS sufferers certain elements and hormones throughout the body may have been altered or inappropriately produced due to stress, sudden hormonal changes or immunological response.

These interactions between the neurotransmitters and the intestines may adversely affect the signals in the digestive system and so cause muscle spasms and contractions in the intestines. As spasms and contractions intensify, it can lead to the common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Some theories suggest that irritable bowel syndrome stems from the presence of a previous disease, virus or condition.

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IBS itself can not be the cause of other graver illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis or ovarian cancer.

Studies have shown that those with IBS seem to have hypersensitive intestines which react more powerfully and frequently to stimuli. Pain or cramping is usually the most common symptom as nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract are often irritated.

There are speculations whether food allergies trigger irritable bowel syndrome. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to try a hypoallergenic diet and keep a food diary to gather as much info on irritable bowel syndrome, and the foods that may trigger your condition as possible.

By: Susan Reynolds

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Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that is accompanied by symptoms of abdominal pain and distension, and which changes bowel movement patterns resulting in diarrhea and/or constipation. It is not a disease but a number of intestinal symptoms, and it is one of the most commonly diagnosed intestinal conditions. The relationship between hypnotherapy and irritable bowel syndrome has been addressed recently, as psychological stresses may be a primary cause.

IBS is a functional bowel disease, as it is considered as an abnormality in the way the bowels work. The true cause of irritable bowel syndrome is still unknown.

The disorder is not infectious or cancerous, although several factors have been identified that increase the risk of having IBS, including being under thirty-five years old and having family members who have the condition.

One significant theory that has been tested with results, however, was that psychological trauma or abuse may play a role in the development of the condition. People who have experienced some form of mental illness, have a history of sexual abuse, or have been witness to traumatic incidents were known to be more likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome.

Hypnotherapy, among other things, then aims to focus on this particular area and how it can alleviate and reduce the symptoms to a more manageable level or perhaps completely. Hypnotherapy uses similar methods to hypnosis, but it is focused on more scientific proven processes to help the IBS sufferer. Patients are not mentally altered during the process, and they can at any time stop the therapy.

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Hypnotherapy has been shown to be very safe and comfortable for patients, and also surprisingly inexpensive. The treatment does not aim to cure irritable bowel syndrome, but to help patients gain more control over the symptoms to reduce feelings of pain and complete bowel elimination. More than one person can be treated in a single hypnotherapy session.

Aside from the usual treatment options available for irritable bowel syndrome, hypnosis provides a relatively new approach to patients. Instead of altering diet and physical activity and taking antispasmodic and pain-relieving agents, mental relaxation and stimulation are used, to provide patients a firmer grasp of the condition and to equip them to deal with symptoms as they arise.

These are the same symptoms that hinder patients from functioning properly, being able to do normal activities of daily living and most importantly, thinking that they do not have full control of their own bodies.

Some study results showed that sufferer’s who underwent hypnotherapy for IBS had reduced symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome relapses did not occur for the entire duration of the three-month study. Colonic motility and gastric acid secretion were slowed down, which greatly improved their elimination patterns. Besides having continuing feelings of relief and comfort, patients also reported that hypnotherapy is free of adverse side effects.

Hypnotherapy and irritable bowel syndrome patients must have a mutual ground that aims to recover and minimize the symptoms of the condition. Hypnotherapists strongly suggest that their patients trust them, in order to fully benefit from the treatment.

By: Susan Reynolds

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not only common among humans but also among animals particularly cats. Basically, the IBS that is experienced by people is the same type that cats also feel.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome among cats is the same gastrointestinal disorder that is also felt by human. The large and/or small intestines are also affected. IBS in cats usually affects the contractions of the digestive tract resulting to irregular bowel movement. Aside from that, IBS also interferes with the normal distribution of food and waste material inside the cat’s body resulting to the accumulation of toxins and mucus in the cat’s intestines.

These accumulated toxins often obstruct the normal function of the digestive tract. In the process gas and stool are trapped causing bloating, constipation and distention. It is also surprising to note that the same IBS factors in human have been identified to cause the same effects among cats. Factors causing IBS such as stress, overuse of antibiotics, poor eating habits, bacterial, and viral infection, parasites and food allergies were found to affect cats as well.

Likewise, a blockage is also very common among cats since they love to chew as well as swallow objects. This too can trigger IBS symptoms.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

It would be surprising to note that cats and humans exhibit the same Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. And here are some of them:

- Constipation among cats is just like in humans. It is also exhibited by hard, small, pebble-like stools, which make bowel movement very difficult.

- Diarrhea is a more frequent bowel movement wherein the stool is often soft and watery. Cats with IBS usually experience successive loose bowel movement alternating with constipation.

- Abdominal pain is also common among cats with IBS. The pain can range from mild to severe.

- The presence of mucus in the stool is also a common sign of IBS.

- Another symptom of IBS that may be observed in cats is vomiting and nausea.

- Gas pain or flatulence is also an indication of IBS in cats

- Bloating

- Intolerance to certain types of foods

- Anorexia which most of you may think is only common to us human but surprisingly is also exhibited by our feline friends.

Treating Your Cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome involves many factors, it is very important that you have your cats examined by a veterinarian. This way you will know what’s triggering IBS symptoms in your pet cats. In case you prefer to apply natural methods in controlling your pet’s IBS symptoms still it is better to consult first a veterinarian before applying any type of IBS treatment to your cat to avoid further complications.

A change in your cat’s diet is also a good way to control Irritable Bowel syndrome. However make sure that you consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist to provide your cat with a personalized diet and program.

Feeding your cat with the right type of food is still the best way to control your cat’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cats like humans prefer different types of foods. There are some cats that like eating raw food while there are some that prefers home cooking or canned food.

It is very important that you try to experiment with foods that work for your cat. If you can keep a food journal in which you can jot down foods that your cat needs to avoid then so much the better. This will guide you on the proper food to give your cat and in turn keeps IBS symptoms in control.

By: Low Jeremy

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There may be a new answer for a very common gastrointestinal disorder called irritable bowel syndrome.

The answer: an antibiotic.

A new study just released shows perhaps treating bacterial overgrowth of the intestines with an antibiotic might help.

Kim Williams has suffered tremendously from irritable bowel syndrome–a disease that doesn’t kill, it doesn’t cause life-changing disability–except for making one a slave to his or her bathroom.

“I’ve had days while having I.B.S. that I couldn’t go to work or I couldn’t go to school because i didn’t know if I could make it to my destination because I didn’t know if I could find a bathroom,” says Kim.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and bloating associated with diarrhea, constipation, or these two alternating.

These patients often feel better after going to the bathroom.

Now, the actual cause of irritable bowel syndrome is still truly unknown.

It’s believed there is altered motility of the intestines, and that these patients are just much more sensitive to contractions.

But there is a relatively new concept out there…that bacterial overgrowth of the small intestines might contribute to the problem.

This new study looks at an antibiotic called rifaximin, which stays in the gut and does not get absorbed into the rest of the body’s systems.

After taking it three times a day for ten days, patients reported they felt better overall, and specifically, they reported less bloating.

But some experts say this is not a perfect answer by any means.

“The three main symptoms that define irritable bowel syndrome are abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, and patients who read about this study should understand that none of those three symptoms improved in this report with taking this antibiotic,” says Dr. Charles Gerson, a gastroenterologist at Mt. Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Gerson believes you have to treat I.B.S. with perhaps medication but also by addressing the psychological component.

“The end point of the study was only ten weeks after the beginning. And I.B.S. is a long term chronic illness and you have to see what these patients are lie in a year,” states Dr. Gerson.

True.

Yet, this study showed the antibiotic’s beneficial effects remained for ten weeks, after only ten days of therapy–implying there is something beneficial occurring.

Kim has gotten relief from a different medication; in her mind, just getting better whatever it takes is the goal.

“I’ve done wonderfully I’ve had no side effects. I feel great now,” says Kim.

Dr. Gerson does express concern over taking an antibiotic for this, that bacteria might develop resistance to it and then it will lose effectiveness.

This is potentially a problem, but the good news is, this is not an antibiotic that is used for systemic illness. It is used for other conditions, such as traveler’s diarrhea, and Crohn’s disease.

By: Empowered Doctor

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