Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Health4UandMe

Thursday, June 21, 2001 2:26 PM

[Health4UandMe] re: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

 

 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive disorder

seen by physicians. It is estimated taht about one in five adult

Americans hassymptoms of IBS, although fewer than half of them seek

help for it. Twice as many women suffer from the condition as men.

This disorder is also sometimes called intestinal neurosis, mucosa

colitis, spastic colitis, or spastic colon.

 

In IBS, the normally rhythmic muscular contractions of the digestive

tract become irregular and uncoordinated. This interferes with

thenormal movement of food and waste material, and leads to the

accumulation o mucus and toxins in the intestine. This accumulated

material sets up a partial obstruction of the digestive tract,

trapping gas and stools, which in turn causes bloating, distentionm,

and constipation. IBS may affect th entire gastrointestinal tract,

from the mouth through the colon.

 

Symptoms of IBS may include constipation and or diarrhea ( often

alternating), abdominal pain, mucyus in the stools, nauses,

flatulence, bloating, anorexia, and intolerances to certain foods.

Pain is ofgen triggered by eating, and may be relieved by a bowel

movement. Because of the pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes severe

headaches and even vomiting, a person with IBS may dread eating.

Whether or not an individual with IBS eats normally,malnutrition may

result, as nutrients often are not absorbed properly. As a result,

people with IBS require as much as 30 percent more protein than

normal, as well as an increased intake of minerals and trace

elements, which can quickly be depleted by diarrhea.

 

There are no physical signs of disease in bowel tissue with this

disorder, and its cause or causes are not well understood. Some

scientists believe a virus or bacterium may play a role. Lifestly

factors such as stress and diet are probably common causes. The

overuse of antibiotics, antacids, or laxatives which disturb the

bacterial microflora of the bowel, may also be a factor.

 

Many other diseases can be related to IBS, including candidiasis,

colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, malabsorption

disorders, pancreatic insufficiency, ulcers, and the parrasitic

infections amebiasis and giardiasis. Over 100 different disorders

may be linked to the systemic effects of IBS. One disorder that is

linked in about 25 percent of adultswith IBs is arthritis, usually

peripheral arthritis which affects the ankles, knees and wrists. Less

frequently the spine is affected. IBS can also be realted to skin

disorders but this unusual. Some people with IBS have abnormalties in

the levels ofliver enzymes in their blood.

 

Diagnosis of IBS requires ruling out disorders that can cause similar

symptoms, such as Crohn's disease, diveticulitis, lactose

intolerance, and ulcerative colitis. A physician may recommend one or

more of a variety of procedures to do this, including barium enema,

colonoscopy, rectal biopsy, signoidoscopy, and stool examination to

check ofr the presence of bactera, blood and/or parasites.

 

Irritable bowel syndrome is painful, but not serious, and most people

who have it can lead active, productive lives if tehy change their

diets, get regular exercise, and replace needed nutrients.

 

This info taken from Prescription for Nutritional Healing.

 

Jesus said I have come that they might have life and have it more

abundantly.

Bev