Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)...What is it?
By Helene Pulnik, ND
D
o you regularly experience stomach bloating, cramping, diarrhea, constipation or gas? If so, you are not alone. You may be suffering from a condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. This is a very common condition that effects more than 30 to 55 million people in the United States and results in 2.5 to 3.5 million office visits every year. Studies suggest that at any one time 10-15% of the population has IBS. However, only a small percentage of these people will seek professional help. IBS is more common in women (14-24%) than men (5-19%). IBS is normally characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits, and no specific disorder to point to as the cause. IBS is called a functional disorder, which means that there is no sign of disease when the colon is examined, but the bowel isn’t working as it should. IBS is not a new problem and has been around for hundreds of years. In the late 1800s it was referred to as mucous colitis and still has many names, including spastic colon, nervous colon, and irritable colon. It is often a chronic problem with symptoms appearing several times a day to several times a week to several times a month. About 50 to 60% of people with IBS report that their symptoms arise after eating a meal, giving rise to the theory that food sensitivity may be the culprit. Therefore, foods in the diet may be the main source of all of the symptoms of IBS, including pain, bloating, abdominal discomfort, gas, and alterations in bowel habit. Some of the most common foods that are likely to cause IBS symptoms are sugar, dairy products, wheat, eggs, soy, yeast, salicylates, corn, and alcohol. Other potential food triggers include fatty foods, caffeinated drinks, sugar, beans, onions, and raw fruits and vegetables. IBS symptoms are very common. While abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort are the main symptoms of IBS, symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have constipation, which means hard, difficult-to-pass, or infrequent bowel 28
Natural Nutmeg October 2011
movements. Often these people report straining and cramping when trying to have a bowel movement but cannot eliminate any stool, or they are able to eliminate only a small amount. If they are able to have a bowel movement, it may have mucus in it, which is a fluid that moistens and protect passages in the digestive system. Some people with IBS experience diarrhea, which is frequent, loose, watery, stools. People with diarrhea frequently feel an urgent and uncontrollable need to have a bowel movement. Other people with IBS alternate between constipation and diarrhea. Sometimes people find that their symptoms subside for a few months and then return, while others report a constant worsening of symptoms over time. There are safe and effective naturopathic medical options that can significantly reduce the symptoms of IBS. There is no need to suffer with this condition. Naturopathic medicine to treat IBS includes testing and treatment of the health of the gut, including testing and treatment for leaky gut, bacterial and yeast overgrowth, and the ability to properly digest food. Food sensitivity testing and treatment with Advanced Allergy Therapy also is important in helping patients reintroduce foods into the diet without creating IBS reactions. Nutritional counseling, detoxification of the gut and Colon Hydrotherapy are standard Naturopathic care for IBS. Naturopathic doctors are highly educated in these therapies and their uses to treat many medical problems, including IBS. Detoxification is crucial for the healthy function of the gut for many reasons. Prescription antibiotics wipe out the population of good flora from the gut, allowing yeast and bacterial overgrowth. Common OTC medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can cause irritation and inflammation in the gut. IBS can be the result of these factors along with the processed-food SAD diet (Standard American Diet), stress, lack of sleep, and the fast paced lifestyles we all lead. It is important to be able to distinguish between IBS and problems with true organic origins. Some serious symptoms that should be examined by a physician are: increasing pain at night,
