IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is not a diagnosis anybody likes to get, mainly because it only attests to the symptoms you have rather than identifying a cause thereof. The number of people affected by IBS is unknown; many likely don't seek out treatment, but most studies estimate that about 10-15% of the population is affected.
IBS is somewhat of a blanket diagnosis for an array of digestive symptoms. The main indicators of IBS are abdominal pain and irregular bowel movement patterns, generally shifting back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Most people with IBS experience predominantly diarrhea or constipation. Those who have loose or watery movements 25% of the time or more and hard stools less than 25% of the time are classified with IBS-D. Those with hard stools at least 25% of the time and loose stools less than 25% of the time have IBS-C. Some people have a more balanced mix of the two, experiencing both types of movements at least 25% of the time.
The pain associated with IBS is often relieved by passing stool and may be intensified with a change in stool consistency or frequency. Other symptoms that may correspond with the above are:
Bloating
Heartburn
Anxiety/Depression
Foul taste in mouth
Back pain
Headache
Fatigue
Bloating
Passing mucous with stool
Theoretical Causes
As a condition with such varying symptoms, it might be impossible to nail down a single cause. However, theories exist as to what may cause the paradoxical symptoms of IBS. The following are only some of the theoretical causes of the condition.
- A neurological problem could interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the gut (intestines), causing the muscles of the GI tract to behave abnormally, either pushing stool through too quickly or holding it in for long periods.
Food sensitivities, which vary from person to person, may be responsible for the array of symptoms.
Body chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and hormones in the GI tract, may be imbalanced.
For some people, bacteria in the stomach or intestines can lead to IBS symptoms.
Emotional or psychological stress can affect the digestive tract and lead to IBS.
Treatment
How do you treat a condition whose cause is unknown? It may seem like a shot in the dark, but we have a good enough understanding of the GI tract to know how to help it work better, sometimes even without knowing what caused its dysfunction.
Dietary experimentation should be part of any IBS treatment plan. People with IBS-C generally benefit from adding more fiber to their diets. A high-fiber diet for women usually entails a daily intake of 25 grams, while men start with 38 grams. High-fiber diets can cause bloating and gas, so your intake may vary depending on your body's reaction.
Those with IBS-D and other types of IBS, including IBS-C, can try the FODMAPs diet. FODMAPs is an acronym for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. On this plan you'll remove each of the five carbohydrates (lactose, fructose, fructans, galactans and sugar alcohols) from your diet. After eliminating the carbohydrates, you'll slowly reintroduce each into your diet one at a time and monitor symptoms. This will allow you to isolate and identify any carbohydrate that aggravates your digestive tract. Once one or more offending carbohydrates are identified, they can either be eliminated from your diet altogether or integrated carefully in small doses depending on your tolerance.
The FODMAPs diet was developed in Australia and has proven effective for many people with IBS in recent years. One study, found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21615553, showed the FODMAPs diet to affect an 89% overall symptom response among participants as opposed to usual dietary advice, which produced only a 49% response.
Other treatments for IBS include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, regular exercise, psychological therapy and stress management. As with any condition, natural treatments should be pursued before taking medication.
Keeping a symptom journal can be especially beneficial to IBS patients. This allows you to identify physical and emotional triggers. A journal should document the time of symptoms, type of symptoms experienced, foods eaten that day, stress level and duration of symptoms.
Left ignored, IBS can cause a significant decrease in your quality of life by interfering with daily activities and causing abdominal and back pain. Learning how to identify your symptoms and manage them naturally will help you live a normal life.
Safe choices for pain management solutions exist. Educate yourself in alternative solutions for back pain management. Please ask questions, give comments or stories related to this article submission regarding back pain management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amee_LaTour
No comments:
Post a Comment