Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS as its also known is known as a functional disorder of the colon meaning the large intestine is not working correctly. Over the years IBS has been known by a variety of different names, spastic colon, nervous diarrhoea, functional dyspepsia, but whatever the name it is still one of the most common diagnosis's and in a US study it was found that an estimated one in five Americans suffer from it. Incidentally although twice as many women than men may suffer from the disease, ninty percent of men never consult a doctor.

Signs & Symptoms 

1. Bloated abdomen
2. Constipation followed by diarrhoea
3. A sense of incomplete rectal evacuation
4. Relief of pain after defecating
5. Flatulence, Nausea, vomiting, headaches, depression, anxiety, loss of appetitie

Any or the entire abouve are classed as a typical signs and symptoms and the abdominal pain is often triggered by eating and accompanied by abdominal spasms.

Causes

The cause of IBS is unkown, but doctors site the following factors as being a major cause:

1. Stress
2. Food intolerence's
3. Irregular eating habits
4. Dietary inadequencies
5. Dysbiosis-an imbalancein the intestinal flora- too many bad bacteria, not enough good
6. Undiagnosed lactose intolerance
7. Bacterial, fungal or parasitic involvement
8. Reaction to medications ( too many anti-biotics can strip the intestinal flora)