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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a condition that is characterised by any combination of pain, diarrhoea and constipation.

Who Gets IBS?

Women are affected three times more likely to suffer from it than men and the condition commonly begins in teenage to early adulthood.

What causes IBS?

IBS is now recognized to be exacerbated by a number of stimuli: for some people it is foods such as wheat, dairy products (although often yoghurt is OK), citrus fruit, tea, coffee and alcohol. An imbalance in the normal intestinal flora caused by a previous round of antibiotics or a viral, bacterial or parasitic infection can lead to inflammation and spasm of IBS.  Anxiety and stress reactions seem to be strongly associated.

During symptomatic episodes the digestive tract contracts excessively, creating abnormal bowel function. Pain is often crampy, caused by strong contractions of the large intestine, coupled with a hieghtened sensitivity of pain receptor nerves in the small intestine.

What can I do to Help IBS?

Firstly, follow some simple dietary guidelines:

• Avoid eating large meals, as too much pressure against the intestinal wall can cause it to contract, causing pain and spasm.
• Eat more frequent meals, of smaller portions. This will assist proper digestion and gentle movement through the digestive tract.
• Remove common problem foods from the diet, such as gluten
• Gluten is the protein component of several grains but is especially high in wheat grains. It gives bread the sticky, doughy consistency.  Many people find gluten difficult to digest; it may be because humans didn't evolve to eat grains.  For the sufferer of Irritable Bowel Syndrome it makes sense, therefore, to eliminate gluten from the diet completely, and if symptoms subside quickly, it is advised to commence eating gluten again and if the same symptoms return, to request a screening to rule out Coeliac Diease.   Wheat gluten is frequently implicated in the disorder.  It is well known that gluten can damage the intestinal lining.
• A high fibre diet is a mainstay of management, but it is not recommended to increase insoluble fibre, such as wheatbran, while continuing to eat foods that aggravate the condition - this can actually make symptoms worse, due to faster motility and more painful spasm and diarrhoea.
  • Soluble fibre in the diet acts as a gentle bulking laxative by pulling water towards it. This can both bulk the loose stool in diarrhoea and soften it if the tendency is to constipation. A bonus side-effect of increasing soluble fibre in the diet is that it also helps with reducing both raised blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  • Apples and pears are good - they can be stewed with the skin on.  Add Psyllium powder (a seed husk) to water or juice, or sprinkle it on food.
  • Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) bark powder is a nutritive herb that tones and soothes the irritated intestines and acts as a gentle bulking laxative.  Add 2 teaspoons of slippery elm powder in a cup of hot rice milk or water, sweeten with a little honey if you like and add a dash of cinnamon. A pinch of clove powder has a mild pain-killing action.
• Aloe vera juice is healing and tonic to the digestive tract. It reduces inflammation and stimulates cell growth, which supports healing of the gut lining. A good quality Aloe vera juice contains useful amounts of mucilage, which is a soluble fibre. The juice should be a murky colour, with the small fibres of mucilage visible when a glass of juice is held up to the light. Lesser quality Aloe vera juices are almost as clear as water (which they mostly are) and are not to be judged by a flash label or advertising.
• Avoid sugar and refined foods. Fermentation of high carbohydrate foods in the intestines can also contribute to irritation and intestinal spasm.Here is another reason to avoid bread not to mentions pastries and baking which have a high glycaemic index, raising sugars in the intestines and blood stream. These foods, along with sweets, are also acid forming and they hinder the body’s nutrient absorption. A high sugar diet has been shown to increase inflammation, slow the transit time of food through the intestines and alter stool composition.
• Probiotics. Natural yoghurt and naturally fermented foods (such as sauerkraut, tempeh etc) help to restore the beneficial bacteria of the intestines.  Your naturopath may recommed a specific probiotic powder or capsule with good gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and other specific organisms to help restore balance in the intestines and speed the reduction of symptoms.
  • Hypersensitivity of organs in IBS sufferers contributes to a heightened perception of pain. A healthy gut produces natural factors that help with sensitivity, fo example, strains of Lactobacillus act on opioid receptors in the cells that line the intestine and help to bring pain relief. When constipation is a problem, probiotic organisms can increase stool frequency and also reduce moderate to severe abdominal pain and bloating.

Identify your Food Allergies

Foods are often contributing to the problem - other than those mentioned above, you might have some that are a specific problem for you.  Read more about the different types of allergies and the various methods of identifying them.  We recommend blood-based food allergy testing using robust ELISA methodology.

Once your problem foods have been identified we will work through a dietary plan with you.

What other Natural Therapies can help IBS?

In addition to following the dietary advice of your practitioner, certain herbs that are effective in soothing inflammation and pain in the gastrointestinal tract may be prescribed. It is also important to stimulate the digestive juices of the stomach, liver and gallbladder to support optimal digestion.

Bitter herbs such as milk thistle (Silybum marianum), globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and hops (Humulus lupulus)are used for this.

Medical herbalists also value the following herbs for IBS:

• Marshmallow root(Althaea officinalis)
• Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)as a tea has been safely used for thousands of years for its healing properties. It is a valued herb for treating the digestive tract. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is another, the flower petals contain number of substances that make if a great tissue healer, and it works on the immune and lymphatic systems to help bring relief from IBS symptoms.

These can be components of a herbal formula or can also be taken as teas.  There are many other herbs that might be used - your Health care practitioner will select those that are most suitable for you based on your symptoms and other factors.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Working from a mind-body-medicine perspective is important.   We have a range of effective methods available at House of Health - read about them here.  Herbs can also be used to nourish and relax the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety responses. Your herbalist may choose ones that have a specific benefit to the gut as well, such as Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), which is well known for soothing the gut and as a nervous system relaxant and tonic.

IBS can be successfully alleviated with natural approaches. Reducing stress, identifying hidden or delayed allergies and changing the diet as well as employing some of a vast range of herbal remedies known to help soothe and heal the gut.

We can help you!  Email your appointment request here or phone us on 09 360 0550