Posts Tagged ‘Bowel’

Get the Facts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, affects an estimated 15-20% of the population today, which is more than depression, diabetes, and asthma combined. This troubling condition that is physical in nature rather than psychological is characterized by a series of symptoms generally occurring in the lower abdominal region. These symptoms can be considered mild, moderate, or severe although the intensity is likely to vary, even from day to day, in the same person.

IBS, a disorder which is most commonly diagnosed by gastroenterologists, affects people of all ages and ethnicities. However, women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to experience the condition, although researchers are still unsure as to why. IBS in women is often associated with their menstrual cycle, although it can occur at any time.

“Irritable bowel” refers to disturbances or changes in regular bowel function, and the word “syndrome” indicates that there are a number of signs rather than one exclusive symptom that characterizes the condition. While everyone may have an occasional disturbance of the bowel and its functioning from time to time, people afflicted with IBS experience more severe symptoms that are frequent and occur on a regular basis.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary in intensity and location, although the lower abdomen is where the most “activity” occurs. IBS is characterized by a series of symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, gas-like cramping, reoccurring or chronic diarrhea and changes in the frequency or consistency of bowel patterns. Nausea, bloating, gas, and constipation alternating with diarrhea are also commonly reported symptoms of IBS.

25-50% of IBS patients also report that they experience regular heartburn along with an uncomfortable feeling of fullness. Many people suffering with IBS also report a number of signs that are non-gastrointestinal in nature such as muscle pain, sexual dysfunction, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Lower backaches and headaches are also commonly reported symptoms from those with severe cases of IBS.

The symptoms of IBS are likely to mimic those of many other disorders, which is why a proper diagnosis by a physician is essential. Clinical tests that depend on factors such as your age, overall health, your family history, as well as your reoccurring symptoms can be conducted to rule out other conditions. Symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss, fever, and continual pain are NOT signs of IBS and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.

The signs or symptoms of IBS occur due to a disturbance in function between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, which is why IBS is classified as a “functional” disorder. People suffering from the condition appear to have no physical signs of disease such as structural abnormalities that can be detected by medical tests.

Experts believe that there is a disorder or some form of miscommunication between the interactions of the brain and the intestinal system, which ultimately affects movement and the sensitivity of nerves in the intestines in people with IBS. The brain and the autonomic nervous system are responsible for regulating the bowel and its functioning which is one of the ways we know that IBS is not a psychological or psychiatric disorder.

While there is no cure for IBS, there are a number of effective ways of controlling or even eliminating the symptoms of the condition such as diet, stress management, herbal and organic supplements, hypnosis and drug therapy including laxatives, anti-diarrheals, anti-spasmodic drugs and anti-depressants. With proper diagnosis and treatment it is possible to lead a normal, productive life even with IBS.

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What Is The Best Irritable Bowel Treatment – The Insoluble Problem?

Insoluble and soluble fibers are both irritable bowel treatment options that are natural and can be easy to add to a diet. They should be included as a vital part of any dietary regimen. Although the amount of soluble and insoluble fiber in the diet should be increased at a sensible pace, if too much is added to the diet over a short period of time it can trigger IBS symptoms to flare up.

Because of the strong abdominal contractions and spasms experienced by most irritable bowel syndrome sufferers, the intake of insoluble fiber will be of significant help to relieve intestinal spasms.

This neutralizing action will then be able to slow down gut motility (movement) during cases of diarrhea-predominant IBS or hasten gut motility and lubricate stool during constipation-predominant IBS. Intestinal muscles will be soothed and relieved thereby allowing easier passage of waste material.

There are some precautionary measures that should be taken with insoluble fiber. It should never be eaten on an empty stomach or without other foods, as there is a risk of an adverse reaction and it may trigger an IBS bout.

It is better to consume it with soluble fiber to help balance the effects and reduce the symptoms. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in insoluble fiber and there are several ways to reduce the levels of insoluble fiber, which is mostly present in the skin, such as peeling, chopping and pureeing.

The addition of insoluble fiber when embarking on an irritable bowel syndrome diet plan must be gradual and sparing. Instead of taking in huge amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains immediately.

Blending them with soluble fiber will be less straining on the digestive tract and the gastrocolic reflex, thereby minimizing risk of trigger factors, as much as possible.

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People who are not used to eating a healthy amount of insoluble fiber before being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome must increase the amount consumed slowly to minimize adverse reactions.

Not all fruits and vegetables have high volumes of insoluble fiber. Some are richer in soluble fiber like bananas and mangoes and these create a stable base to add and mix insoluble fiber food sources to. The combination of both types will provide easier digestion to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Taking a soluble fiber supplement before eating insoluble fiber is also a way of helping with the digestion process, and can ease any symptoms.

Regardless of the symptoms of IBS, treat it with a healthy diet and the usual symptoms of irregular gut motility, imbalances in gut flora, arrhythmic muscular contractions and abnormal bowel pattern can be significantly relieved. Even though soluble fiber is considered as a very important irritable bowel treatment, the incorporation of insoluble fiber is required to help with long-term relief from symptoms.

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Diet for Irritable Bowel: What-To-Eat and What-Not-to-Eat

It is not surprising that food has got something to do with the causes of irritable bowel syndrome. After all, it is in the intestinal tract that we process foods. Thus, what we eat normally affects the way our intestines function.


Changes in our diet would certainly create effects on the fashion by which we digest foods. This then will change the chemical interaction involved in the processing of these crucial substances.


However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not deal with chemical interactions alone. It is basically a functional disorder that borders more on the abnormalities of functions that don’t often project actual or physical complications. In fact, this is the exact reason why the nature of the disease is not yet fully known. Add to it the fact that most factors involved are under subjective details, which also require subjective treatments. This alone is enough to conclude why there is lack of concrete knowledge on the true characteristics of the syndrome.


Though we know for a fact that all these contribute to the development of the syndrome and the consequential attacks of symptoms, the medical community cannot still provide a comprehensive treatment plan for all patients to eliminate IBS.


Thus, any activities that would result to the removal of these factors will create lesser chances of triggering the attacks.


One best way of doing this is through following of a diet plan that would remove problematic foods while supplementing them with foods helpful in improving the symptoms.


While foods may not actually act as root causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, their effects are still substantial enough. It is good to note however that there is no fixed formula for creating the diet for Irritable Bowel syndrome. The results will always lie on the strategic combination of foods to promote lesser symptoms and healthier intestinal tract.


Trigger foods are obviously those who create tension in the stomach which then causes it to function in an abnormal manner. Some of the trigger foods are those which have high fat content while very low in fiber content. Oils, cream, poultry skin, fried foods, and coconut milk are among the most common foods that cause problems.


Fats are known to create a slower digestion in the stomach. The more time it takes the intestinal bacteria to digest foods, the higher the risk of creating gas thus, most patients of Irritable Bowel syndrome suffer from intestinal gas which in itself is also associated with diarrhea, bloating, constipation and other major symptoms.


Foods with high caffeine content like coffee, chocolate, and carbonate rinks are also known to trigger Irritable Bowel syndrome. Therefore, these must be eliminated from your list of foods so that you can get around from the likelihood of stimulating the rise of abdominal complications.


Meanwhile, to facilitate better movements of the stool in the colon, it is best that you take extra amounts of dietary fiber. This is especially true for those who suffer from constipation-dominant irritable bowel.


Constipation is marked by compacted stool or too loose stool. Fiber acts as the neutralizer since it adds bulk to the stool to administer easier expulsion from the system.


Fiber can be acquired from natural resources such as vegetables and fruits, nuts, brown rice, figs, peas, French bread, raisings, soybeans, and a number of others.

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Why Irritable Bowel Syndrome is More Than Just a Gut Reaction

Have you ever had a gut feeling that just would not go away. There are two kinds of “gut feelings”, one that involves intuition and one recognition. The recognition that something internal is amiss and that the contributing factors may be many. Here you will learn what irritable bowel syndrome is and how to address it naturally.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is usually depicted as a operational condition since there is no existent pathological tissue at the time the symptoms are felt. IBS affects the muscular organs of the digestive tract; the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, gallbladder, and colon. The term operational refers to the truth that either the muscles of the digestive organs, or the nerves that control these organs, are not working properly. As a result, the digestive system does not function normally. The nerves that moderate the organs include not only the nerves that lie inside the sinews of the organs but also the nerves of the medulla spinalis (spinal cord) and brain. This all the same does not signify, contrary to popular notion, that the symptoms are all in your head. IBS is not a psychosomatic disorder and is not a symptom that has a psychological grounds.

Characteristics

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a group of symptoms in which abdominal muscle pain or irritation is connected with a modification in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent movements ordiarrhea, and/orhard or to a lesser extent frequent bowelmovements or irregularity. Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder that interferes with normal subroutines of the bowel and refers to habitual or recurrent symptoms that are case-specific to each IBS patient. These symptoms are distressing, but irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease. A pragmatic approach for naming irritable bowel syndrome is indicated, using the Rome II standards and the presence of alarm symptoms such as weight loss, gi bleeding, anemia, fever, or frequent nocturnal symptoms as terminus a quo (starting point).

Research

Researchers have accounted that IBS may be stimulated by a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. But most recently Swedish researchers described in the medical journal Gut that an abnormally high number of bacterium in the small bowel does not appear to be a major agent affecting the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Harvard University investigators have objectively testified that virtually all people with this neuroimmune upset have autonomic deregulation. Canadian researcher, of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, said in a prepared statement. IBS symptoms of abdominal pain or irritation, bloating and constipation are linked to impaired quality of life and are the second most common causal agent of work-related absenteeism, behind the common cold.

Women

It happens to a greater extent in women than in men, and it starts before the age of 35 in just about 50 percent of people. Men and women appear to record response to psychological and visceral (referring to the internal organs) stimulus in different areas of the brain. For unidentified reasons IBS affects about twice as many women as men and begins most ordinarily in young adulthood, sometimes in adolescence. Instead it seems to be due to conflicts in how women and men process sensations from the intestines, both in the intestinal nervous system ( enteric nervous sytem) as well as the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

Conclusion

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is not just bothersome. It also causes enormous health damage. It can result in malnutrition and obesity or even weight instability. It will increase toxic content in your body. It will even damage the beauty of your skin and hair. To have a good life and beautiful body, you need to take care of your gastrointestinal health first.

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Diet That Works for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that can be characterized with several symptoms. Hence, it is very important to reach to the root cause of the problem in order to determine better treatments to improve the condition.

First, it is very important to start on with a diet that’s meant to improve the condition. Understand that there are certain problematic foods that can trigger off symptoms such as bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

There is absolutely no standard diet that can be used by all those with irritable bowel syndrome. The problem and symptoms vary from person to person. Hence, the diet prescription varies accordingly.

However, there are certain common guidelines and food groups one needs to focus on in order to steer clear of irritable bowel syndrome. In case, a diet plan does not seem to work at all, you need to consult a health care practitioner.

Certain lifestyle change and the way one takes his or her meals should be altered. Usually people are accustomed to take three large meals in a day. This is where the problem arises.

Large meals have the tendency to cause strain and compaction inside the stomach. Hence, it is advisable to take 4-5 small meals in a day as compared to the traditional three regular meals. This habit will help in eliminating the root cause that’s responsible to trigger off irritable bowel syndrome.

One should also reduce the in take of fat-based foods. The fat is hard to digest. In fact, it gets digested in a slow pace. Poor digestion is one of the major causes of irritable bowel syndrome. When the food is not digested properly, it may cause gas inside the intestine. This results in the rise of many symptoms, thereby, aggravating the problem.

Dietary fat restricts the movement of gas slower from the stomach to small intestine. People may suffer from discomfort due to this interruption of a primary function of the body.

Doctors usually prescribe increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, wheat- based products and beans. All these food items work towards providing relief from gastrointestinal tract vices. Fiber intake improves the bulkiness of the stool. This further helps in easy and better removal of the stool.

An adequate fluid intake of at least 1.5 liters on a daily basis is very important. The major source of fluid intake must be derived from plain water. You may also opt for some amount of dilute tea or juices. One should steer clear of carbonated soft drinks and coffee.

Regular and light exercises are important for reducing symptoms. Here are certain food items you should avoid when on a diet for irritable bowel syndrome.

- Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and soda

- Alcohol

- Wheat

- Carbonated drinks such as soda

- Dairy products

- Fried foods

- Citrus fruits

- Artificial sweetness

- Fatty food items

- Red meats

- Chocolate

- Gluten

You must take special care of including foods rich in fiber such as kidney, beans, lima beans, whole-grain breads and cereals

Also include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your irritable bowel syndrome diet.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit IRRITABLE BOWEL ADVICE and ACID REFLUX EXPERT

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome-causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome* (IBS) is a “syndrome,” meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.In gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating relieved by defecation and alteration of bowel habits. Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI) or a stressful life event. Other functional or pain disorders and certain psychological conditions are more common in those with IBS.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
No one knows exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract and relax as they move food from your stomach through your intestinal tract to your rectum. Normally, these muscles contract and relax in a coordinated rhythm. But if you have irritable bowel syndrome, the contractions may be stronger and last longer than normal.

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome is currently unknown. IBS is thought to result from an interplay of abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements, increased awareness of normal bodily functions, and a change in the nervous system communication between the brain and the GI tract.

What are the symptoms
The symptoms may get worse when you’re under stress, such as when you travel, attend social events or change your daily routine. Your symptoms may also get worse if you don’t eat enough healthy foods or after you’ve eaten a big meal. Some people are bothered by certain foods. Women who have IBS may notice more frequent symptoms during their menstrual periods.

Like many people, you may have only mild signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Sometimes these problems can be disabling, however. In some cases, you may have severe signs and symptoms that don’t respond well to medical treatment. Because symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can be present with other diseases, it’s best to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.pain or discomfort that is accompanied by changes in the way a person’s stool (poop) normally looks. Some people become constipated and their stools become hard (and difficult to pass); other people develop diarrhea.

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The severity of IBS will determine the method of treatment. In general, treatment is aimed first at relieving the gastrointestinal symptoms. In some cases, however, emotional or psychological factors are also targeted as part of the treatment plan. It is important to emphasize that no single regimen works for most people with IBS. Symptoms are quite variable and may change significantly over time, therefore therapy must be individualized.

Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex) can be used for women with severe IBS who have not responded to conventional therapy and whose primary symptom is diarrhea. However, even in these patients, it should be used with caution because it can have serious side effects, such as severe constipation or decreased blood flow to the colon.
IBS is a non-life threatening illness. It does not progress or increase your risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Cancer. Treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms so you can live your life as normally as possible.

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An Irritable Bowel Syndrome Description – What Is Ibs?

If you are looking for an irritable bowel syndrome description that is easy to understand, then this article should help.

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a term used to define a functional bowel disorder. This basically means that the problems that occur are related to an abnormality in the way the bowels work or function.

IBS sufferers’ experience episodes of abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel habits.

IBS is also called nervous colon syndrome, spastic colitis and Mucous colitis, but it is entirely different from other types of colitis, which are known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD.

The real cause of IBS is unknown, but gastroenterologists can specifically determine its presence by observing the usual symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping, bloating and changes in bowel patterns, as evidenced by diarrhea or constipation.

It can last for many years, or just a few months, and can recur after long periods of remission.

Irritable bowel syndrome is treatable and will not cause other diseases over time.

Although there is a wide range of symptoms associated with the condition, in every person who suffers with IBS there is almost always abdominal pain with changes to bowel habits.

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Abdominal pain is likely to occur from gas accumulation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as rapid contractions occur, irritating the nerve endings in the area and causing abdominal bloating as well. The pain usually subsides as patients defecate or relieve themselves.

Changes in bowel habits are described as having alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation. Usually one is more predominant than the other at any one particular time.

As gut contraction and motility increase and decrease, it will have an effect on digestive enzymes and waste material and alter the normal function of the bowel.

Depending on the strength and frequency of the contraction it can result in varying episodes of diarrhea and constipation.

Several diagnostic tests can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, although a conclusive diagnosis cannot be made until the doctor has eliminated any other conditions that may be causing the symptoms to flare up.

IBS has similar symptoms to a number of other gastrointestinal conditions, some of which are more severe, and so they need to be eliminated prior to any formal diagnosis.

A medical history and physical examination are vital to properly identify the signs that are linked to IBS. Stool analysis or a sigmoidoscopy may also be requested to directly examine the intestine and observe changes in contraction and structure to eliminate other suggested causes of the condition.

Fiber supplements and antispasmodic medication can improve gastrointestinal motility (movement) and relieve adverse muscle contractions to effectively help relieve the disorder.

Antidepressants are helpful in reducing pain but they do not treat with the factors that can cause an IBS “attack” and so should only be used for a short period until proper identification of the trigger conditions is made and they are removed where possible.

Depression and anxiety are common in IBS sufferers especially in those with pre-existing psychological conditions. It is believed that up to about 60% of people with IBS also have psychological disorders, like anxiety or depression. Although it is not known which comes first, the IBS or the psychological disorder.

Any Irritable bowel syndrome description would not be complete without stating the goal of any IBS treatment. The goal then is to improve bowel function which may subsequently also relieve pain and feelings of gassiness in the abdominal area, as well as improve the quality of the persons life.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a problem that affects mainly the bowel. It is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It can be found in children, often is first identified in adolescence and can resolve unexpectedly for periods of time throughout an individuals lifespan, reoccurring at any age. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. The disorder accounts for more than one out of every 10 doctor visits. For most people, signs and symptoms of irritable bowel disease are mild. It is fairly common and makes up 20–50% of visits to gastroenterologists. Lower abdominal pain, and bloating associated with alteration of bowel habits and abdominal discomfort relieved with defecation are the most frequent symptoms. It is also called the large intestine. Women are affected more often than men. It’s not the same as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. Colitis, for instance, means inflammation of the large intestine (colon). IBS, however, does not cause inflammation and should not be confused with ulcerative colitis, which is a more serious disorder.

Some people with IBS find that increasing the amount of dietary fibre and reducing caffeine helps. The word syndrome means a group of symptoms. IBS is a syndrome because it can cause several symptoms. For example, IBS causes cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances. In many cases, you can control irritable bowel syndrome by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress. Colon motility (contraction of intestinal muscles and movement of its contents) is controlled by nerves and hormones and by electrical activity in the colon muscle. IBS should not be confused with colitis or other inflammatory diseases of the intestinal tract and IBS is not limited to the colon. In some individuals, IBS may have an acute onset and develop after an infectious illness characterised by two or more of the following: fever , vomiting , acute diarrhea , positive stool culture. This post-infective syndrome has consequently been termed “post-infectious IBS” and is acute onset Rome II criteria positive. This condition is more homogenous, being mostly IBS-D and is drawing much clinical investigation.

Causes of Irritable bowel syndrome

The common causes and risk factor’s of Irritable bowel syndrome include the following:

No one knows exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome.

Factor’s that seem to produce sympatoms of IBS include diet, emotional stress and hormones.

Ordinary events such as eating and distention from gas or other material in the colon can cause an overreaction in the person with IBS.

Sometimes another illness, such as an acute episode of infectious diarrhea (gastroenteritis) can trigger IBS.

People with IBS often report that family members also have the disorder, suggesting a possible genetic cause.

Symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome

Some sign and symptoms related to Irritable bowel syndrome are as follows:

Gas.

Bloating.

Mucus in the stool.

Feeling sick with it.

Swollen or bloated abdomen.

Bloating and fullness of wind.

Alternating between one and the other.

A sensation of having to rush to the toilet.

Crampy pain in the stomach area ( abdomen ).

Diarrhea or constipation- people with IBS may also experience alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea.

Treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome

Here is list of the methods for treating Irritable bowel syndrome:

Fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation or medicines to decrease diarrhea, such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium).

An antispasmodic is commonly prescribed, which helps to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain. Antidepressants may relieve some symptoms.

Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture and homeopathy, are often used.

Some people find complementary treatments such as acupuncture help, although there is little scientific proof of their effectiveness.

Anti-diarrheal medications: Over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) can help control diarrhea.

Drugs which are used for diarrhoea, such as codeine, can be helpful, but are used less because they can be addictive.

When all else fails, a small dose of a medication usually used to treat depression can be effective. This seems to work in a much smaller dose than is used for depression, and may, in part, work by mimicking the nervous system to the bowel.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information. She also writes articles on healing remedies.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome – What Causes It?

Some evidence indicates that the immune system, which fights infection, is also involved. Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms result from the following: The normal motility of the colon may not work properly. It can be spasmodic or can even stop temporarily. Spasms are sudden strong muscle contractions that come and go.

The lining of the colon (epithelium), which is affected by the immune and nervous systems, regulates the passage of fluids in and out of the colon. In Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the epithelium appears to work properly. However, fast movement of the colon’s contents can overcome the absorptive capacity of the colon. The result is too much fluid in the stool. In other patients, colonic movement is too slow, too much fluid is absorbed, and constipation develops.

The colon responds strongly to stimuli (for example, foods or stress) that would not bother most people.

In people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, stress and emotions can strongly affect the colon. It has many nerves that connect it to the brain. Like the heart and the lungs, the colon is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which has been proven to respond to stress. For example, when you are frightened, your heart beats faster, your blood pressure may go up, or you may gasp. The colon responds to stress also. It may contract too much or too little. It may absorb too much water or too little.

Research has shown that very mild or hidden (occult) celiac disease is present in a smaller group of people with symptoms that mimic Irritable Bowel Syndrome. People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, which is present in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats. Foods containing gluten are toxic to these people, and their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. A blood test can determine whether celiac disease is present. (For information about celiac disease, see the Celiac Disease fact sheet from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).)

The following have been associated with a worsening of Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms:

-Large meals
-Bloating from gas in the colon
-Medicines
-Wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol
-Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, or colas
-Stress, conflict, or emotional upsets

Researchers have also found that women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may have more symptoms during their menstrual periods, suggesting that reproductive hormones can exacerbate Irritable Bowel Syndrome problems.

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Great Tips to Prevent Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel Syndrome can be very irritating especially when the person suffers from its symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and constipation. Since, this trouble is not considered as fatal, professionals feel that one can easily cop up with the problem.

Prevention is better than cure. It is better to act wisely and take steps to prevent irritable bowel syndrome on time. After all, living with a condition that’s painful and affects daily routine is not worth it. The worse part is that you may even have to experience some real embarrassing situation. Remember that it is a chronic disease and you may have to live with it. It can even become a life-long experience.

Here are some techniques and tips that can help you prevent the occurrence or even reoccurrence of the symptoms.

First, you need to stay away from foods that trigger off this chronic problem. Foods with high fat content are an absolute no-no. These foods are capable of interrupting in the normal functioning of the intestines. These create reduced movements of the muscles. Under these circumstances, more gas is produced as the bacteria tend to act upon the component digestion in order to accomplish the task.

Second, have a lot of fluids, mainly water. This will cleanse your system. Do not take caffeinated drinks, tea or carbonated drinks. Good amount of fluid will maintain intestinal tract. Besides, fluids also help a lot in breaking down digested foods in the lower portions of the digestive system. This makes it easier for the body to digest the food. It also facilitates in replenishing water in case, dehydration is caused due to diarrhea.

Focus on doing exercising regularly. Here, you don’t need to work out hard at gym for hours or build up a muscular body (it’s great if you can do it!) but to work out at a certain intensity regularly. Even brisk walking on a daily basis will do. This will create healthy effects on your body and also help you to regulate abnormal movements of your intestinal tract.

Another great thing to do is to learn certain techniques for stress management in order to reduce the anxiety you may face. Keep tabs on your diet on a regular basis. Eat smaller portions of food. Instead of having three large meals in a day, try to have 3-5 smaller meals in a day.

Deep breathing is really important. You should act calmly while breathing from your diaphragm. This is the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. When you inhale, try to allow your belly to expand. Let it contract naturally when you exhale. Deep breathing facilitates relaxing your abdominal muscles. This results in a natural bowel activity.

Relax for at least twenty minutes in a day for any activity that you find relaxing. You can indulge in reading, dancing, listening to music, playing computer games, shopping etc.

Yoga and meditation can also help a lot. Try to pamper yourself by a good massage.

Last but not the least; you should know when to contact a doctor. Go for an expert consultation as soon as you show up warning signs or find something wrong with you digestive system.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about Irritable Bowel Syndrome please visit IRRITABLE BOWEL ADVICE and ACID REFLUX EXPERT

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