Irritable bowel syndrome occurs when the normally rhythmic muscular
contractions of the digestive tract become irregular and uncoordinated.
This process is called peristalsis. The normal
movement of
waste material and food through the digestive tract is disrupted and a
build-up of toxins and mucus occurs in the intestine. The
accumulated material causes an obstruction of the digestive tract,
trapping stools and gas, which then causes distention, constipation,
bloating and abdominal pain. People suffering from IBS often
report that constipation alternates with diarrhea.
Symptoms of irritable
bowel
syndrome
The main symptoms of IBS are bloating, abdominal pain, discomfort
constipation and/or diarrhea. Symptoms vary greatly from
person
to person, but below is a list of general symptoms reported by patients
suffering from irritable bowel syndrome:
- Pain and discomfort
occurring in different parts of the abdomen
that is relieved with bowel movement. Bouts of pain vary in
length and intensity.
- Bloating and swelling
of the
abdomen occurs and the patient
suffers from flatulence.
- Some people suffer
from
bouts of constipation and diarrhea whilst
other people have diarrhea that alternates with constipation.
- Nausea and in
some
cases, vomiting.
- Mucus in stools.
- Intolerance to certain
foods.
- Poor appetite.
- Heartburn.
Many people only have occasional flare-ups of IBS symptoms, whilst
others have symptoms over long periods of time. Because of
the
pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, many people do not eat
properly and malnutrition occurs. Diarrhea is also a main
cause
of malnutrition because of the loss of valuable nutrients.
NB! If you notice blood in your stools, advise your health
care
practitioner immediately as this is not a symptom of irritable bowel
syndrome.
What causes irritable
bowel
syndrome?
Researchers and doctors have yet to establish a specific cause of IBS,
however they have linked the flare-up of symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome to stress, food allergies and even a weakened immune system.
A proper diagnosis of IBS can only be made when other disorders causing
similar symptoms are ruled out. These disorders include
Crohn"s
disease, endometriosis, lactose intolerance, diverticulitis or
ulcerative colitis.
There are many other diseases that have been linked to irritable bowel
syndrome, including colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder
disease, candidiasis and ulcers. As mentioned before, IBS
does
however not cause these diseases.
Your health care practitioner can perform a series of tests to rule out
any other serious diseases of the bowel. These tests include
colonoscopies, rectal biopsies, barium enemas and stool examinations.
How can supplements help
me?
Clinical trials have shown that people greatly benefit by using herbal
medicines for symptomatic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
If you suffer from IBS, it is recommended to treat your liver as well
as your digestive tract to ensure that you remove toxins from your
liver. Milk thistle is the best option for detoxifying your
liver.
All the herbal medicines listed here can be combined with one another
and even with conventional medicines.
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Supplement Recommendations
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|
Supplement
|
Dosage
|
| Peppermint oil |
1 or 2 capsules 3
times a day between meals |
| Psyllium |
1-3 tbsp powder
dissolved in water or juice
once a day |
| Acidophilus |
1 pill a day on an
empty stomach |
| Ginger |
200 mg standardized
extract once a day |
| Flaxseed or Evening
primrose oil |
1 000 mg twice a day |
| Aloe Vera |
Half a cup of juice
three times a day |
Peppermint oil relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract and relieves
cramps. The menthol in peppermint aids in digestion and also
reduces nausea.
Psyllium is a source of soluble fiber that can help to normalize bowel
function and therefore assists with both constipation and diarrhea.
Acidophilus assists in restoring the natural balance of intestinal
flora in the gastrointestinal tract.
Ginger works in the digestive tract by boosting digestive juices and
neutralizing acids. Ginger is also especially useful in
reducing
pain and discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
Flaxseed oil or Evening primrose oil helps to protect the intestinal
lining.
Aloe vera is known to heal the digestive tract and to keep the colon
wall clean of excess mucus.
Other recommendations
Make sure that you eat a diet high in fiber that will normalize bowel
function.
Avoid animal fats, butter, coffee, caffeine-containing substances,
carbonated beverages, dairy products, spicy foods, orange and
grapefruit juice, as well as all junk and processed foods.
Also
try to avoid wheat bran and wheat products. These foods all cause an
excess of mucus by the membranes in the intestinal tract that can
prevent the uptake of nutrients.
Try to keep a food diary. This is helpful to establish if
your
IBS symptoms are caused by an allergy to certain foods.
Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement as diarrhea associated with
irritable bowel syndrome can deplete essential nutrients.
Reminder
Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal
medications should you be under their care. Suggestions
offered
are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and
treatment.
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