Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) is a colon
condition characterized by chronic abdominal discomfort or pain, gas
&
bloating and frequent diarrhea and/or constipation.
IBS is a condition that affects approximately
15% of the United
States
population. Also known as a spastic
colon, IBS is not a disease or life-threatening condition, but it does
affect
the quality of life. The frequency and
urgency of bowel movements cause individuals with IBS to restrict their
lives
to avoid embarrassing episodes.
Irritable bowel
syndrome will exhibit itself in one of four
classifications. IBS-D
is where diarrhea is predominant, IBS-C is where
constipation is predominant and IBS-A involves cases where pain is
predominant. IBS-PI refers to “post
infection”, a classification not based on a symptom but how the
condition was
triggered.
IBS normally shows up between the late teen
years and the early forties. The cause
of the condition has been speculated for over 200 years, but there is
no real
consensus in the medical community. There
is no test for IBS, so cases are diagnosed by ruling out other
conditions and
diseases. Doctors test for food
allergies, intolerances (i.e. lactose intolerance), medications that
might
trigger similar symptoms, infections, enzyme deficiencies and
inflammatory
bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Once all of these possibilities are ruled out,
IBS can be diagnosed.
Management of the symptoms is the only option
for sufferers of IBS. Knowing the
“triggers” is usually the first step for people with IBS. The most commons triggers have to do with
stress levels, diet and lifestyle. Finding
a personal balance within these areas
can help people with
irritable bowel syndrome live a more regular life.
Control of the condition requires dedicated
lifestyle changes like eliminating caffeine and cigarettes. Exercise is
a great
way to manage stress levels. Not only
does it take your mind off the stressful aspects of your life, but it
raises
endorphins. Endorphins in the brain
directly combat the effects of stress or anxiety.
Dietary triggers are sometimes the hardest to
nail down because it requires an individual to account for all foods
ingested
in order to find what one’s personal triggers are.
Eating smaller meals and keeping a food diary
are methods that some people find helpful for investigating their
triggers. Some of the most common &
documented food "triggers" are red peppers, green onions, red wine,
wheat, and milk. Restricting the diet to
avoid triggers is one side of the equation, but adding beneficial
elements to
your diet is the other side of required dietary management.
Exploring helpful supplements are also an
important part of dietary management. Probiotics
for instance, are the good bacteria found in the intestines that
prevent
diarrhea. You can take probiotics
through supplements or by simply eat yogurt. Micronized
zeolite supplement are also
beneficial and proven to stop
& prevent diarrhea. Usually found in
capsule form, zeolite diarrhea supplements have shown to work quickly
with more
effectiveness than over the counter diarrhea drugs. Over
the counter diarrhea drugs are effective
in 50% of the population while zeolite diarrhea supplement are
effective in 80%.
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