Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disease that to some extent, affects many of the people in our lives.
To put it simply, people with IBS have an overly sensitive intestinal tract.
IBS can have many different clinical presentations.
Whether the symptoms present as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramping, or the need to have a bowel movement soon after eating a meal, they are all components and presentations of the same disease.
Perhaps the most common complaint is abdominal bloating or the sense of a gassy fullness in the abdomen.
Symptoms are often relieved by bowel movements and the majority of people with IBS deny nocturnal symptoms and thus are not awakened at night by symptoms related to their IBS.
The treatment and control of IBS can be difficult, but can be accomplished through various dietary and lifestyle modifications.
The foods that we eat are perhaps the most important determinant of our bowel health and habits.
Avoidance of foods that can lead to the increased production of gas is paramount.
As children we were always told to eat our veggies and drink a glass of milk each day.
Contrary to popular belief, foods such as salads, raw vegetables, legumes and dairy products may lead to excess gas production and may exacerbate the symptoms of IBS.
Also, caffeine-containing products such as coffee or tea (yes, even herbal teas) can have tremendous negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Avoidance of synthetic sugars such as sorbitol and other chemicals found in diet and energy drinks as well as dietary supplements should be avoided.
Foods such as fish, chicken, meat, white rice, pasta, potatoes are excellent sources of nutrition and are healthiest when broiled, baked or boiled.
Even modest amounts of vegetables and dairy products may be consumed without significant deleterious effects on the digestive system.
Intake of adequate amounts of fiber is also important especially in people with what is known as constipation predominant IBS.
Greater amounts of fiber can also produce large amounts of gas thus deleting its beneficial effects.
Every individual is different and will react differently to certain foods.
I always advise my patients to experiment with their diet and digestive tract.
Cutting out caffeine, dairy products and salads completely for one to two weeks is a good starting point and one that often achieves modest results in most patients.
Medications are also available for the treatment of IBS.
Some medications relieve spasms in the intestinal tract.
Other therapies are aimed at altering the bacterial flora of the gut.
Yes, we all have countless bacteria living in our intestinal tract that we depend on to remain healthy.
Anti-depressants are also sometimes prescribed and have some beneficial effects thus reinforcing the concept of stress and its effects on the intestinal tract.
Aside from dietary modifications and medications, increased exercise and stress management are also extremely effective, natural and healthy ways in controlling symptoms related to IBS.
I commonly recommend activities such as aerobics, swimming and yoga to my patients with IBS.
The mind-body (bowel) relationship is extremely important and stress management is often a vital component in the treatment of IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common disease that greatly affects the quality of life of many people.
A basic understanding of the disease process and its triggers can allow a person to effectively treat their symptoms and achieve a general sense of wellbeing.