Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

	What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
	What are the Symptoms of IBS
	What Causes IBS
	What is the Treatment for IBS
	How does Stress Affect IBS
	Can Diet Change help IBS

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder commonly resulting in cramps, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS can be the cause of a great deal of discomfort and distress, however it does not permanently harm the intestines and is not linked with more serious diseases such as cancer. In most instances, the symptoms of IBS can be minimized though diet, stress management, and prescription medications. For a certain percentage of sufferers though, IBS can be a disabling condition. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances.

Around  20 percent of the adult population suffers from the symptoms of IBS, making it one of the most common diagnosed conditions. It appears in a higher percentage of women than in men, and it makes its appearance before the age of 35 in about 50 percent of sufferers.

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What are the symptoms of IBS

Abdominal pain, bloating, and severe discomfort are the main symptoms. These however may vary from individual to individual. Some people experience severe constipation, whereas others experience diarrhea, forcing frequent and uncontrollable visits to the toilet. The symptoms can even alternate between constipation and diarrhea. The symptoms frequently subside of a period of time and then re-emerge, although a steady worsening over time has been documented.

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What causes IBS

Although the specific causes have yet to be discovered, the majority of people suffering form IBS also have sensitive colons which react to certain food types and stress.

Researchers also believe that IBS is linked in some way to the body’s immune system and its reactions in fighting various infections.

have yet to discover any specific cause for IBS. One theory is that people who suffer from IBS have a colon, or large intestine, that is particularly sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. The immune system, which fights infection, may also be involved.

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What is the treatment for IBS

An alarmingly large number of people suffering from IBS fail to recognize the symptoms and seek medical help. As many as 70 percent of people suffering from IBS allow the symptoms to persist for prolonged periods of time before receiving any medical care.

Although no cure exists for IBS, there are several treatment options available. Stress management plays an important role as do possible diet changes.

Medications can play an important role in lessening the symptoms. Fiber supplements or laxatives to relieve constipation are usually prescribed, as are medications to reduce diarrhea if this is one of the symptoms.

Antispasmodic drugs are sometimes prescribed to reduce colon spasms and abdominal pain. Antidepressants have also been found to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms. Both these medications however cause constipation so an additional drug is usually prescribed along with these to reduce this effect.

Many people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome have shown remarkable improvement in their symptoms after using an Aloe Vera product, AloeRide. An article published recently in the Sunday Post Newspaper in the UK, detailed how one patient, suffering from IBS for over 16 years, showed a marked improvement after only 2 weeks of using the product.

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How does stress affect IBS

Stress can stimulate colon spasms in people exhibiting IBS symptoms, as their colons are overly sensitive to even slight levels of stress, which cause increased autonomic colon responses. Some stress management options include

• relaxation therapies such as meditation
• stress counseling
• exercise such as walking or yoga
• increased sleep

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Can Diet Changes help IBS

In many cases, increasing fiber intake may lessen some of the symptoms of IBS, particularly constipation. Dietary fiber however will not help with lessening the abdominal pain or diarrhea.

View a table of fiber content in common foods on our site

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