How To Overcome Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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by: MariaEsposito
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An increasing number of people are suffering with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastro-intestinal health problem.
Suggested IBS Triggers
1. Food hypersensitivity or food intolerance
2. Chronic stress
3. Intestinal infections and inflammation caused by parasites or unfriendly bacteria. These can cause an increase in intestinal mucosal permeability (Leaky Gut Syndrome), which allows food and chemicals to enter the blood stream before they are properly digested. This can overload the immune system and cause an increase in the body's inflammatory response, triggering mucosal sensitivity, abnormal motility and secretory response.
4. Dysbiosis (the imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract).
5. Altered bowel flora. This can be the result of antibiotics, laxatives, diarrhoea or low dietary fibre.
Lifestyle and Diet Factors
An increase in the consumption of dietary fibre, mainly from vegetables and fruits as well as a greater water intake and reduced intake of diuretic caffeine containing drinks such as tea and coffee.
Diarrhoea, constipation and dysbiosis (toxic bacteria) may be attributed directly to sensitivities and intolerances to foods.
Gas that's trapped in the intestines can cause bloating and wind, though how this painful condition arises is not fully understood. Bacteria may cause lactose to decompose. This can give rise to much gas, bloating, and rumbling within the intestinal tract. Bowel movements or diarrhoea may result soon after consumption of dairy foods.
Food intolerances are considered to play an important role in IBS. Bacterial fermentation within the digestive tract can be the result of this, causing production of gases that may trigger some of the symptoms.
Possible natural treatments for IBS:
1. Drink plenty of water - about a litre and a half. This is in addition to other drinks.
2. Eliminating or reducing the consumption of deydrating and caffeine containing drinks and foods such as tea and coffee, chocolate, colas and alcohol.
3. Identifying food sensitivities or allergies and eliminating the foods that give rise to them.
4. Increasing fibre intake by eating more fruit and vegetables (NB: eating raw foods can be a problem for some people).
5. Cutting stress levels.
The therapist and client must collaborate effectively. It is vitally important that the client is fully committed to playing an active role in dealing with IBS.
The therapist may feel that that laboratory blood tests are required to find out if there are any food allergies or sensitivities. Other tests that can be ordered include those for leaky gut syndrome and overgrowth of candida yeast.
About the Author
Maria Esposito is a complementary health professional specialising in nutrition and allergy testing. She practises in England. She can be reached at london nutritionist. A fuller version of this article can be seen there.
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