What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder & represents 30-50% of all referrals to gastroenterologist offices (Murray, 2012). It is typically characterized by a dysfunction of the digestive system which includes chronic or recurrent lower abdominal pain or discomfort, altered bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or both), bloating, gas, & varying degrees of anxiety or depression (Murray, 2012).

There are three types of IBS:

1. Diarrhea-dominant: IBS-D
2. Constipation-dominant: IBS-C
3. Alternating conditions: IBS-A

It is estimated that anywhere between 8-20% of adults suffer from IBS; women being the majority of those affected. However, the exact number is hard to ascertain partly because many IBS sufferers feel symptoms are too “taboo” or embarrassing to discuss, and therefore, many do not seek medical attention (Murray, 2012).

Generally speaking, in common medical practice, IBS is often a “garbage” diagnosis given when dysfunction or disorders of the bowel cannot be explained by the presence of organic disease & medical practitioners have nowhere else to turn. Therefore, the diagnosis is made after ruling out other conditions that closely mimic IBS including (Murray, 2012):

• Cancer
• Diarrhea caused by infection
• Disturbed bacterial microflora as a result of antibiotic or antacid usage
• Diverticular disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Candidiasis
• Lactose Intolerance
• Laxative abuse
• Celiac disease
• Metabolic disorders, such as adrenal insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism

There appears to be four main causes of IBS including stress, insufficient intake of dietary fiber, food allergies, & high sugar intake (Murray, 2005).

Most Common Signs & Symptoms

A detailed medical history and physical examination are critical in diagnosing IBS (Murray, 2012).

There exist actual diagnostic criteria for IBS which is based on the manual called Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. According to this publication (Rome Foundation, 2010, p. 889), IBS is determined by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least three days/month in the last three months associated with two or more of the following:

• Improvement with defecation
• Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
• Onset associated with a change in form of stool

A person might be suffering from IBS if after a medical doctor has ruled out other life-threatening considerations for the client’s dis-ease, they still suffer from:

• Abdominal pain with change in bowel habits
• Excessive gas or bloating
• Grumbling gut
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Urinary pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anorexia

In addition, there are many contributing factors or triggers that play a role in IBS including:

1. Psychological factors:
   • Stress, anxiety, depression, & fatigue related to impaired serotonin levels or uptake
2. Candida or parasites:
   • Trigger or complicate IBS
   • Increase food sensitivities
3. Laxative & antibiotic abuse:
   • Can damage the intestinal lining of the intestines or reduce the body’s digestive power
4. Dietary factors:
   • Food allergies
   • Excess refined food
   • Hydrogenated fats
   • Low fiber diets
   • Food additives
   • Agricultural chemicals
5. Hormone imbalances:
   • Especially for women (ie: birth control pill usage)

General Holistic Approach for Improving IBS

Upon a diagnosis of IBS, traditional western medical professionals typically focus on drugs that primarily suppress symptoms instead of treat the underlying factors. However, there are several important steps/treatments/dietary changes that should be implemented to help alleviate the condition at its source including (Murray, 2012):

• Increasing dietary fiber
• Removing allergy-inducing/intolerant foods
• Eliminating refined sugars
• Reducing dietary FODMAPS (fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides & polyols)
• Taking probiotics
• Taking enteric-coated peppermint oil
• Controlling psychological components like stress

References:

Blum, S. (2013). The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor’s 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease. New York: Scribner.
Murray, M. (2005). The Encyclopedia of Healing Food. New York: Atria Books.
Murray, M. (2012). The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. New York: Atria Books.
Van Vorous, H. (2000). Eating for IBS. New York: Da Capo Press.