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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Precisely what is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is regarded as a chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction,
which results in unusual sensitivity and muscle activity. It is quite common, affects
largely ladies and commonly starts up before the age of thirty-five.
Often, it is identified as spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis or nervous stomach. IBS ought not to be confused with
inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBS is a functional condition, where the function
of the bowels may be abnormal, but no structural abnormalities are present.
There are believed to be, generally speaking, 2 types of IBS:
1.
In some cases of IBS, contents inside the large intestine don’t proceed fast enough and an excessive amount of liquid is absorbed,
inflicting constipation (called IBS-C).
2.
In other instances, the matter moves too fast and the large intestine doesn’t absorb a sufficient quantity of liquid as a result, which
then causes diarrhoea (called IBS-D).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome may create physical pain or discomfort (see symptoms below), and in many cases psychological distress. Those
people that suffer from IBS seldom openly discuss it. Nonetheless, research studies estimate its prevalence in the:
•
United Kingdom to be approximately 10 - 15% of the population
•
United States to be approximately 10 - 20% of the population.
What causes IBS?
Before taking a look at the potential cause(s) of IBS, it may be helpful first to understand the function of the intestine (bowel). The intestine
runs from an opening in the stomach to the anus (rear end). It plays an essential role in digestion, a process in which foodstuffs are broken
down and assimilated (alongside water) into the bloodstream. The small intestine absorbs nutrients, whilst the large intestine absorbs
moisture from the matter that's remaining and excretes the waste materials from the anus.
Partially digested foodstuff normally leaves the stomach and passes into the small intestine and then into the large intestine. The large
intestine, also referred to as the large bowel or the colon, makes food proceed through the intestine with soft contracting movements. By
contrast, with IBS, it is considered that the intestines squeeze too rigorously or not hard enough and cause food to move too rapidly or too
sluggishly through the gastrointestinal tract (refer to IBS-C and IBS-D above).
As things stand, doctors don’t know why IBS comes about. In actuality, quite a few doctors think that the ailment doesn't really exist and is
psychosomatic in origin (in other words, in the mind). Having said that, this viewpoint is extensively rejected by the complementary and
alternative medicine profession. Further, it's the most common affliction diagnosed by gastroenterologists and one of the most common
disorders seen by primary care physicians.
The exact cause, or causes, of IBS are unknown, but:
•
stress
•
depression
•
insufficient intake of dietary fibre
•
hypersensitivity to certain hormones
•
food allergies and sensitivities (e.g. to gluten)
•
problems with the way signals are transmitted between the brain and the digestive system
•
poor eating habits (including diets high in sugar and/or fat)
•
microorganisms in the gut (including bacteria and parasites)
•
yeasts
•
coeliac disease / celiac disease
•
and medications,
could all contribute to the onset.
What are the symptoms Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome isn't classified as a disease. The term “syndrome” may appear scary, but in fact it is just the term used by doctors
to describe a set of symptoms.
While IBS is certainly not life-threatening, its symptoms can drastically impact upon quality of life and could even be debilitating.
Naturally, symptoms and severity differ from individual to individual and might even change over time. For some, IBS is a chronic
(continuous) disorder that characterises daily living. For others, it is a spontaneous and unwelcome visitor. Everyone suffers from an
occasional bowel disturbance, but for all those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the symptoms are more extreme or come about more
frequently.
Irrespective of whether continual or periodic, IBS is most commonly known to lead to a mixture of any of the following symptoms:
abdominal pain, pyrosis (heartburn), flatulence, bad breath, bloated tummy, fullness, cramping pains, weakness,
headaches, passage of mucous, urgency or a feeling of partial bowel movements and a change in bowel habits (i.e.
constipation and/or diarrhea). Several of these symptoms are really common in other ailments too and are therefore fairly ambiguous.
This explains the regular problem in securing a certain diagnosis. Less common symptoms include nausea or vomiting and throwing up.
What changes in diet can potentially help with IBS symptoms?
Regrettably, there isn't a known cure for IBS, but it's considered that its symptoms can at least be managed in a number of ways. For
example, diet and lifestyle changes and supporting health supplements.
Having unhealthy, processed foods may lead to a tummy upset in just about anyone. Then again, certain foods and drinks (like greasy
burgers, sugar, chocolate, milk products, caffeine and alcohol) are thought to worsen the symptoms of IBS, by (amongst other things)
raising the body’s production of digestive gases.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Precisely what is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is regarded as a chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction,
which results in unusual sensitivity and muscle activity. It is quite common, affects
largely ladies and commonly starts up before the age of thirty-five.
Often, it is identified as spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis or nervous stomach. IBS ought not to be confused with
inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBS is a functional condition, where the function
of the bowels may be abnormal, but no structural abnormalities are present.
There are believed to be, generally speaking, 2 types of IBS:
1.
In some cases of IBS, contents inside the large intestine don’t proceed fast enough and an excessive amount of liquid is absorbed,
inflicting constipation (called IBS-C).
2.
In other instances, the matter moves too fast and the large intestine doesn’t absorb a sufficient quantity of liquid as a result, which
then causes diarrhoea (called IBS-D).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome may create physical pain or discomfort (see symptoms below), and in many cases psychological distress. Those
people that suffer from IBS seldom openly discuss it. Nonetheless, research studies estimate its prevalence in the:
•
United Kingdom to be approximately 10 - 15% of the population
•
United States to be approximately 10 - 20% of the population.
What causes IBS?
Before taking a look at the potential cause(s) of IBS, it may be helpful first to understand the function of the intestine (bowel). The intestine
runs from an opening in the stomach to the anus (rear end). It plays an essential role in digestion, a process in which foodstuffs are broken
down and assimilated (alongside water) into the bloodstream. The small intestine absorbs nutrients, whilst the large intestine absorbs
moisture from the matter that's remaining and excretes the waste materials from the anus.
Partially digested foodstuff normally leaves the stomach and passes into the small intestine and then into the large intestine. The large
intestine, also referred to as the large bowel or the colon, makes food proceed through the intestine with soft contracting movements. By
contrast, with IBS, it is considered that the intestines squeeze too rigorously or not hard enough and cause food to move too rapidly or too
sluggishly through the gastrointestinal tract (refer to IBS-C and IBS-D above).
As things stand, doctors don’t know why IBS comes about. In actuality, quite a few doctors think that the ailment doesn't really exist and is
psychosomatic in origin (in other words, in the mind). Having said that, this viewpoint is extensively rejected by the complementary and
alternative medicine profession. Further, it's the most common affliction diagnosed by gastroenterologists and one of the most common
disorders seen by primary care physicians.
The exact cause, or causes, of IBS are unknown, but:
•
stress
•
depression
•
insufficient intake of dietary fibre
•
hypersensitivity to certain hormones
•
food allergies and sensitivities (e.g. to gluten)
•
problems with the way signals are transmitted between the brain and the digestive system
•
poor eating habits (including diets high in sugar and/or fat)
•
microorganisms in the gut (including bacteria and parasites)
•
yeasts
•
coeliac disease / celiac disease
•
and medications,
could all contribute to the onset.
What are the symptoms Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome isn't classified as a disease. The term “syndrome” may appear scary, but in fact it is just the term used by doctors
to describe a set of symptoms.
While IBS is certainly not life-threatening, its symptoms can drastically impact upon quality of life and could even be debilitating.
Naturally, symptoms and severity differ from individual to individual and might even change over time. For some, IBS is a chronic
(continuous) disorder that characterises daily living. For others, it is a spontaneous and unwelcome visitor. Everyone suffers from an
occasional bowel disturbance, but for all those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the symptoms are more extreme or come about more
frequently.
Irrespective of whether continual or periodic, IBS is most commonly known to lead to a mixture of any of the following symptoms:
abdominal pain, pyrosis (heartburn), flatulence, bad breath, bloated tummy, fullness, cramping pains, weakness,
headaches, passage of mucous, urgency or a feeling of partial bowel movements and a change in bowel habits (i.e.
constipation and/or diarrhea). Several of these symptoms are really common in other ailments too and are therefore fairly ambiguous.
This explains the regular problem in securing a certain diagnosis. Less common symptoms include nausea or vomiting and throwing up.
What changes in diet can potentially help with IBS symptoms?
Regrettably, there isn't a known cure for IBS, but it's considered that its symptoms can at least be managed in a number of ways. For
example, diet and lifestyle changes and supporting health supplements.
Having unhealthy, processed foods may lead to a tummy upset in just about anyone. Then again, certain foods and drinks (like greasy
burgers, sugar, chocolate, milk products, caffeine and alcohol) are thought to worsen the symptoms of IBS, by (amongst other things)
raising the body’s production of digestive gases.
Need some help? 0845 094 3627
This is an information site only!
[Irritable Bowel Syndrome] [Crohn’s Disease] [Ulcerative Colitis] [Coeliac Disease] [Organic Food] [Organic Supplements] [Superfood Powder Blends] [Alternatives to Juicing]
[Digestion System Health] [Diet Foods] [Colon Cleanse Products] [Diarrhea Free] [Specialist Supplements] [Future Nutrition] [Organic Food Supplements] [Organic Food Supplier] [Dietary Products]
[Own Label Products] [Web Design] [Drop-ship Service] [Healthy Weight Loss] [Health Care] [Health Blog] [Probiotics Supplier] [Slimming Products] [Products Catalogue] [Turnkey Websites]
[Cleanse and Detox] [Superfood Supplements] [Women’s Health] [Weight Management] [Protein Shakes] [Meal Replacements Slimming] [Health Supplements UK] [New and Coming Soon]
[Home] [Products] [Services] [Digestive Health] [Go Organic] [Juicing] [Living and Raw Foods] [Health Information Pages] [Blog] [Contact] [Sitemap]