Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a benign, chronic disease of altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. It is considered a functional type of bowel disorder and is said to be caused by heavy spasms of the large colon. No organic or structural cause can be detected (using currently available diagnostic modalities) to explain its symptoms. IBS is also known as spastic colon, nervous bowel, irritable colon and mucous colitis.

It is the most common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Other disorders in this group include functional dyspepsia, functional anorectal pain, and non-cardiac chest pain. The many forms and presentations of IBS can make the diagnosis challenging, and its functional nature can make a satisfactory treatment difficult. 

The discomfort ranges from cramping-like pains to a continuous dull pain and is often (partly) relieved by bowel movements. Very often the pain appears after food ingestion and is accompanied by sometimes mild to sometimes extreme abdominal bloating. There is often diarrhoea, sometimes alternating with severe constipation.

After the absorption and digestion of the nutrients in the small intestines, the waste moves into the large intestines (also called bowel or colon). Before the waste reaches the rectum, excessive muscular contractions can cause severe pain, diarrhoea and/or constipation.

The cause of the muscle over-activity is not yet fully understood. Researchers believe that food allergies/intolerances/hyper-sensitivities might play a very important role. Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and stress worsen the problem.

IBS is often diagnosed after the possibility of the existence of other diseases and disorders are eliminated. (Diverticulitis, Colon Cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease).

For further information, please visit www.nutritionlondon.net and www.ibsforum.co.uk