Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common complaint, consisting
of symptoms of bloating, pain before bowel movements, diarrhea and/or
constipation. The term IBS is therefore used for a variety of complaints.
IBS responds well to treatment, which usually consists of six parts.
- Increase dietary fiber, preferably from fruit and vegetable
sources.
- Removal of food intolerances and allergies. Many of us develop
food intolerance, and most people with IBS have one or more of
them. These can be discovered through blood tests or an elimination
diet. There have been many studies documenting the association
between food allergies and irritable bowel.
- Reduce refined sugar in the diet. Sugar can contribute to IBS
and small intestine bacterial overgrowth. When blood sugar levels
rise too rapidly, the normal rhythmic contractions of the gastrointestinal
tract slow down. A diet high in refined sugar may be the most
important contributing factor to IBS in the United States.
- Use enteric-coated peppermint oil in small quantities. In several
studies, the use of peppermint oil resulted in a 90% decrease
in pain and other IBS symptoms. This oil inhibits gastrointestinal
smooth muscle action, and is also effective against the yeast
Candida Albicans. This yeast is sometimes an underlying factor
in IBS.
- Live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus are often effective
in IBS. They establish colonies of "good" bacteria at
the expense of "bad" bacteria and yeast.
- An increase in exercise also appears to be helpful. Many people
with IBS find that daily leisurely walks markedly reduce symptoms,
probably due to the stress-reducing effects of exercise.
Other factors may play a role in individual cases. Come in for
some help and diet recommendations. We can determine which specific
regimen and food plan is right for you.
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