What is Irritable Bowel syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Sydrone is a disorder that is very common and affects mainly
the large intestine. It is called a syndrome since it comes with a group of
symptoms such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas and constipation.

Contrary to common notion Irritable Bowel syndrome is not a disease but more of
a functional disorder. This means that the large intestine is not properly
functioning. Like for instance when you eat too much, the muscles in your bowel
contracts causing cramping and diarrhea. Although painful but it does not damage
the bowel or the large intestine unlike any other diseases.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel syndrome: Different people exhibit different types
of IBS symptoms. There are symptoms that are felt while others are manifested
in the stool. The symptoms that are often felt by IBS patients include crampy
pain usually felt in the stomach or the abdomen, feeling like you have not
finished moving your bowel, diarrhea or constipation. IBS symptoms that are
manifested or seen include mucus, swollen or bloated abdomen.

How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel syndrome: Aside from the symptoms, your doctor
may conduct some medical tests just to make sure that you are not suffering
from any other type of disease that may have the same symptoms as that of the
IBS.

Your doctor may do various medical tests such as physical exam, blood tests,
x-ray of the bowel more popularly known as barium enema or lower GI series.
Barium for those who do not know is a kind of thick liquid that makes the bowel
to become more visible especially on the x-ray. The application of the barium is
through the anus. Another test is what you call the Endoscopy wherein the doctor
inserts a thin tube into the bowel, which has a camera on it. The doctor used
this to see the inside of the bowel for any signs of problems.

Tips to Irritable Bowel syndrome: Irritable Bowel syndrome is not a problem of a
few but of millions of people especially in the United States. It is not a
disease but a disorder that can be controlled. Here are some tips on how to
prevent IBS flare-ups:

*  Changing your diet is one of the easiest ways of controlling your IBS. All
you have to do is to avoid eating foods that cause gas such as broccoli and
some types of beans. But take note that foods are not the only cause of gas;
there are also some juices that cause gas pain such as apple juice and grape
juice. 

*  Keeping a food journal can also help in keeping track with the food and 
drinks that you have to avoid. Your journal need not be fancy or complicated 
just jot down the foods and drinks, which have aggravated your Irritable Bowel 
syndrome. 

*  Try to stay away from caffeine, some type of sweetener and alcohol since 
these can aggravate the bowel and caused IBS flare-ups. Likewise, it is also 
best to keep away from fatty foods especially pastries and desserts since these 
too can aggravate IBS symptoms. 

*  Another thing is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms although not common to 
male IBS patients but for the female patients this too can cause IBS flare-ups. 
By taking appropriate dietary steps will help to control PMS symptoms and in 
turn control also the IBS symptoms. 

*  And always remember to consult your doctor before following or applying 
various IBS treatments.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? - 2

People who encounter the term "irritable bowel syndrome" are often confused as
to what that illness is. Many wonder about the various symptoms associated with
the term. What is irritable bowel syndrome? In order to properly understand this
illness, a person should learn about these factors:

1) Symptoms -- These are the common manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome
in human beings. In a sense, the symptoms tell what irritable bowel syndrome is
by telling you how it affects your body. In the past, it was actually quite
difficult to answer the question of "what is irritable bowel syndrome?" by
looking at the symptoms.

You see, irritable bowel syndrome is not really a disease. It is a "syndrome"
mainly because it is a group of symptoms.

This is because of the fact that some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
contradict each other. For instance, some people suffering from irritable bowel
syndrome experience diarrhea while some people experience constipation.

2) Causes -- As said before, irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease. It is
actually a disorder. It is important to know this in order to understand what
irritable bowel syndrome is. Many people misunderstand irritable bowel syndrome
because they do not really understand its causes. Some people may think that
irritable bowel syndrome is caused by eating some sort of food that does not
agree with one's digestion. Others may think that irritable bowel syndrome is
caused by a virus or bacteria of some sort.

However, one thing you need to understand about irritable bowel syndrome is the
fact that it is not really "caused" by anything. Irritable bowel syndrome is a
state in which your bowels do not function properly. This condition then leads
to the various symptoms that people experience.

3) Triggers -- In order to truly know what irritable bowel syndrome is, people
should be able to understand the different things that trigger its symptoms.
There are two main triggers of irritable bowel syndrome:

a) Stress -- Studies have shown that stress can have a huge impact on the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, the stress caused by knowing
that a person has irritable bowel syndrome can trigger that person's symptoms.
This is the reason why counseling is part of the treatment for irritable bowel
syndrome.

This is also the reason why people today turn to alternative therapies for
their treatment. Some people take up yoga or go through the process of
acupuncture to help them relieve stress.

b) Food -- Eating the wrong type of food can definitely trigger the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. Foods that have a high fat content should be avoided
by people with IBS. Alcohol should also be avoided as it is a known trigger of
the symptoms of IBS.

c) Treatments- Knowing what irritable bowel disease is also involves knowing
about the various treatments that are used to relieve the symptoms of it. There
are various drugs that are in use today to help stop one or more of its
symptoms. However, since irritable bowel syndrome is not a disease, it is also
incurable.

What a person suffering from this illness can do is to try and keep the
symptoms at bay by using different treatments like specialized diets and
relaxation techniques.

By keeping these various factors in mind, a person can answer the question of
"what is irritable bowel syndrome?"

The Different Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatments

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder affecting the gastrointestinal. The
origin of this disorder is still unknown. But its symptoms include bloating,
gassiness, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and constipation. And since it is still
not clear what's causing IBS, all the treatments for this disorder are just
intended to control the symptoms.

Ways of Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Changing Diet: IBS is a disorder that involves the colon and mainly focused on
the bowel movement. Since IBS caused constipation and diarrhea what most people
do is to change their diet. Modifying diet may control symptoms of IBS but
without the proper guidance of a doctor its effect may not last for long.

Why? Because you need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor before you change
your diet. You see there are certain foods that are not advisable for IBS
patients and your doctor can tell you exactly the foods that you have to avoid
and eat. Take for instance, without a doctor to diagnose your condition you may
mistook lactose intolerance for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Medical Treatment: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem that only happens
occasionally but there are also some IBS patients that experience much lasting
symptoms and often entails for medications.

One of the most common treatment prescribe is eating fiber-rich foods. The main
objective of this is to help the digestive tract to expand in order to reduce
the possibility of spasm while food is being transmitted and digested. Plus
fiber is known for promoting regular bowel movement reducing constipation.

However, it is very important to add fiber to the diet slowly since it may
worsen IBS symptoms like bloating and gassiness. Stress is another factor that
triggers IBS. Doctors may advice ways on how to reduce stress like eating a
well-balanced meal and of course exercising.

Smoking was also found out to worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS
smoker patients are advised to quit smoking or suffer the consequences. It is
also advisable for IBS patients especially those with food intolerance, to keep
a food journal to help them determine foods that they have to avoid and foods
that they can eat.

Medications: There are antispasmodic medicines that are given to IBS patients to
control or slow down the action of the digestive tract to reduce spasms. However
different people react to medicines in different ways so it may work for some
but not for others. For those who may not have a good reaction to this type of
medicine there are other available treatments that may be applied to control
symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Anti-diarrhea medicines are also
prescribed to IBS patients that are experiencing severe loose bowel movement.
There are lots of over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicines that can be bought
even without a doctor's prescription. This is all right for simple diarrhea
cases but for IBS you need to consult your doctor before you try to purchase
any medicine.

Antidepressants are also very effective for controlling Irritable Bowel
Syndrome symptoms especially when taken in small doses. There are also new
types of medications that are especially made for patients that do not react
favorably with the aforementioned medicines. Consult your doctor for medicines
that will help you to control IBS symptoms. Do not self-medicate since it may
do you more harm than good.

Top 3 Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since Irritable Bowel is a syndrome, it is only likely that it is characterized
with various conditions for which the exact causes of appearance are not clear.
What is definite though is that each symptoms contributes to the mildness or
aggravation of the disorder. And with the knowledge of the nature of each
symptom, the creation of possible cures to the entire disease is possible.

Unfortunately, there is not enough information that can shed light on the
mysteries concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While it is observably present
at large in the general population and is obviously not as hard to treat, there
is still significant lack of knowledge in this field. This is true since
research funding is not directed towards Irritable Bowel syndrome.

This lack is driven with the truth that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a life
threatening condition, which requires no immediate cure. Moreover, the
consideration given on its being a "functional disorder" adds more vague ideas
as to what and how would these condition be cleared.

There are also a number of subtypes that often create the confusion and
distinction between each disease. This is brought up by the combination of
symptoms that are normally seen in a large portion of patients.

The top three symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are bloating, diarrhea and
constipation.

These three may often manifest simultaneously. However, it is a common
knowledge that diarrhea and constipation may regularly alternate which creates
further confusion.

Bloating is the condition characterized by the subjective sensation of having
an abnormally enlarged abdomen. Therefore, it is akin to the sensation of
discomfort.

It must be understood though that while bloating is typically related with
distention, the two are still very much different from one another. Distention
is the physical observation that the abdomen is slightly larger than usual.
This can be checked physically while bloating may only be known through careful
inquiry.

The three conditions by which bloating may develop are the following: changes
in the abdominal tissues, abrupt increase of both air, and fluid in the
abdomen. All these three has various roots and must be distinguished properly
so a to provide better treatment.

Another dominant symptom that is found in most cases of Irritable Bowel
Syndrome is diarrhea. Sometimes this can alternate with constipation and may
cause terrible to mild discomfort.

Diarrhea is the change in the frequency of the stool release. It is hard to
qualify though if one is having an abnormality concerning bowel movements.

While most people practice a one-a-day bowel movement, this is still not
considered normal. What is normal is the degree to which the body can tolerate
the release of stool.

Say, three times bowel movements a week may be normal and the same is true
three times day practice. Once these change and the body somehow reacts
negatively to such changes combined with fluid-like stools, it is likely that
the person already has developed diarrhea.

The following are the most typical symptoms of diarrhea:

Rectal urgency which results to incontinence of stool. This is characterized
with the inability to control or delay bowel movement once the sudden urge is
felt. Most patients also experience incomplete evacuation which is known to be
the sensation of needing to have continuous bowel movement even if one has just
finished with his first evacuation.

Meanwhile, constipation is the condition by which the stool is either too soft
or too hard.

All these three symptoms contribute to the difficulty of providing treatment
for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, since we already have knowledge on them,
the difficulty of finding a cure is somehow relieved.

Diagnosing Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is one of the most common disorders that people
experience. Usually people experiencing IBS has intestines that either squeezes
too hard or to too slowly which makes the food move out of the body too quickly
or too slowly. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects people starting
the age of twenty and are more predominant among women.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is also known in other names such as a functional
bowel syndrome, spastic bowel, spastic colon and irritable colon. IBS or
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not likened to Inflammatory Bowel disease like for
instance ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome The most common symptoms of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome include: 

1.  Bloating and gas, 
2.  Presence of mucus in the stool, 
3.  Constipation, 
4.  Diarrhea that happens frequently in the morning,
5.  Feeling that you have not fully completed a bowel movement after you have
    one, 
6.  Strong feeling or urge to move bowel 
7.  Abdominal pain 
8.  Cramping that often go away after a bowel movement

Different people exhibit different Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Some
people may experience constipation while others may have diarrhea or both.
Straining or cramping is common among IBS patients who cannot properly
eliminate stool. Their inability to have a complete bowel movement caused them
too much discomfort and pain.

And in case that they were able to have a bowel movement, traces of mucus are
visible on the stool. For patients with diarrhea, they usually have that urgent
feeling or urge to have a bowel movement. There are also some IBS patients that
have both constipation and diarrhea.

The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome sometimes subside and then return
again after a while. There are also cases of IBS that worsen over time.

How to Diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome: It is very important that you consult
a doctor if you suspect that you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This is vital
for the early detection of IBS symptoms. The diagnoses that are usually
conducted to check Irritable Bowel Syndrome are based on a patient's
comprehensive medical history or record, which contains descriptions of
symptoms.

And since Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects the colon or the
large intestines it is only logical that you visit or consult a
gastroenterologist since it is an expert in treating diseases pertaining to the
digestive system. Generally, gastroenterologists would perform colon test called
colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy which makes use of an equipment that is consist of
a flexible tube that has a camera at the end. This equipment is inserted in the
anus to enable the doctor to see the inside of the colon better.

Likewise, physical examination results are also needed to diagnose IBS
symptoms. The truth of the matter is that there are no really specific tests
for IBS. The diagnostic tests that are performed are just to rule out the
possibilities of other diseases. The tests for IBS include x-rays, stool
sampling and blood testing.

If ever the tests results show negative the next thing that doctors do is to
refer to their list of IBS symptoms to make their diagnosis. In addition there
are some symptoms that may seem to connote Irritable Bowel Syndrome but in
reality are symptoms of a different illness. Some of these symptoms may include
bleeding, weight loss, severe pain and fever can indicate inflammation but
definitely not Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

How to Improve the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is called a "syndrome" because of the fact that a
syndrome is characterized by having a certain set of symptoms. Symptoms of
Irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person and a doctor can only
truly diagnose irritable bowel syndrome when he or she has examined the
different symptoms experienced by a person.

However, may people who have Irritable bowel syndrome experience symptoms that
are so mild that they do not really bother to call a physician. In fact, a
person experiencing symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome would more likely
attribute it to "bad food" than anything else.

There are cases when the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome can interfere
with one's life. Symptoms of Irritable bowel disease such as diarrhea and
abdominal pain could cause enough distraction that a person would want to seek
some help.

How does a person get relief from these symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome?

1) Think about your symptoms -- in order to control your symptoms, it is
important to understand what these symptoms are. This is because Irritable
bowel syndrome can have a variety of symptoms depending on the person. Some
people may experience diarrhea, some people may feel constipated. Some people
experience abdominal cramping while others may feel bloated.

Knowing about your symptoms can give you a guide to relieve those symptoms. By
knowing specifically what symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome you feel, you
can take the necessary steps to stop those symptoms from stopping you.

2) Choose a proper diet -- What you eat is directly related to how you will
feel. Once you know the symptoms of your illness, you can take steps to
eliminate those symptoms. One of the best ways to do this is through eating a
well-prepared diet. Depending on your symptoms, you can choose foods that will
sooth you stomach and not cause further aggravation of the symptoms.

Since what you eat directly affects your digestive tract, you need to choose
wisely. Some people say that you need to pinpoint what foods aggravate your
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms by eating each food and observing the effect.
However, you do not really need to make yourself into a human lab rat in order
to find the diet to soothe your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Here's a
little tip for you: do not eat anything that's high in fat, contains alcohol,
or anything dairy. This is because these foods are likely to affect your IBS
adversely.

3) Relax -- many studies have shown that people who experience a lot of stress
are likely to develop Irritable bowel syndrome. It may be because of the same
reason that professionals today always keep some antacid on hand.

Stress triggers a reaction in your gut. It actually causes your stomach to
release more acid and enzymes. This, of course, leads to very bad symptoms of
Irritable bowel syndrome. This is the reason why most people suffering from IBS
today seek out relaxation therapies like acupuncture or yoga. By relaxing you
will be able to make digestion a smooth process for your body.

By following these tips, you are sure to relieve the symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome. In following these tips, you would be able to at least keep the
pain of IBS away. Just because it is not curable does not mean you have to
suffer its symptoms everyday.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What is it?

Basically Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects the stomach and
the intestines. It is also considered to be a common disorder affecting
millions of people in the US. Although there are no treatments yet for IBS but
there are methods of controlling its symptoms. Here are some of the ways of how
you can control
IBS:

*  It is very important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian before
you try experimenting with various IBS treatments. This way you will know
whether the treatment fits you or not. If you are considering changing your
diet still try to get the advice of your doctor. Self-medication is a no-no
since it may do you more harm than good.

*  Peppermint was found out to control symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The used of peppermint to relieve stomach pain has been handed down through
generations and now used to control symptoms of IBS. However, it should be
noted that different people reacts differently to things which is in this case
peppermint. It may sooth IBS symptoms of others but may not work for some.

*  Changing your diet may also help in controlling IBS symptoms. Most of the
animal products such as milk, meat and cheese are hard to digest and often
triggers IBS symptoms. So avoid eating them. It would also help if you can keep
a food diary in where you can keep a record of the food that triggers symptoms
of IBS in you. This way you will be guided on the food that you have to avoid.

*  Relax your mind. Stress was also found out to cause IBS flare-ups. If you
are one of those IBS patients that is experiencing too much stress then it's
high time that you set an appointment with your psychiatrist for a hypnosis
session. This is because hypnosis was found out to lessen stress. However make
sure that you choose a reputable psychiatrist just to be on the safe side.
Another stress relieving method is acupuncture. It lowers down stress level and
therefore helping in controlling IBS symptoms.

*  Gas is one factor that causes much pain for most IBS patients. Avoiding food
that cause gassiness also helps in avoiding IBS flare-ups. Cut down your intake
of cabbage, some beans, broccoli and other foods that worsen IBS symptoms.

*  Enema of water is growing in popularity among IBS patients. In fact a great
number of IBS patients are now relying on weekly enema of water to help in
controlling their IBS systems. Again this may work for some but not for all.
You may consult your doctor if it suits you or not. It is very important that
you get your doctor's advice before trying any IBS treatment. This way you will
be properly guided on the treatment that you need plus you also get to avoid
worsening your condition.

*  The fight to control your IBS symptoms is a never-ending process. You should
always try to research on the various treatments available for you. But don't
forget to consult your doctor always since any treatment will have an adverse
effect on your medical condition and also on your personal life. If you can
join an IBS support group in your area then so much the better. You will feel
more relax knowing that you are not alone having such problem. This may
actually help you in controlling stress that often leads to IBS flare-ups.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: How To Fix It

Any condition, disorder, disease and syndrome with no known cause are almost
lacking of an effective cure. The best resolution though is to help relieve or
eliminate the symptoms to suppress the condition. But this does not imply that
the condition is already treated. Only, the symptoms are for the moment,
stopped.

This condition applies to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While many cases had been
studied by the medical and scientific communities, the subject still lead us no
near to any cure. And so we are left with making the most of the resources
available to us.

Some facets of the disease's nature though has been discovered. For instance,
we all know that the intestinal tract regularly contract and relax to
facilitate the proper digestion of food. When their contraction and relaxation
is disturbed, people may either feel bloated, or may experience constipation or
diarrhea, depending on the speed and irregularity of contraction and relaxation
of the muscles. Thus, we know how Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs.

Nevertheless, the exact causes are yet to be found. Many leads seem to shed
light on finding an effective cure but since the disease is basically a
functional disorder, treatments can best be unraveled through knowing in full
how the whole system works.

Here are some tips to help fix Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Since stress is directly related with this syndrome, patients are often advised
of staying away from stressful situations or atleast create a plan of managing
stress. This advice is based on the reports that most patients experience
attacks of symptoms after a stressful activity or during a stressful meal.

This can further be helped through practicing yoga, meditation and deep
breathing.

The reasons for these are not clear. Though the scientific community knows that
the digestive system is partly associated with the autonomic nervous system that
controls the voluntary muscles and actions in the body.

Reports on Irritable Bowel Syndrome attacks suggest that certain foods and
beverages that cause chemical interaction in the intestinal tract or can help
change the movements in the colon may also trigger the symptoms.

Fatty foods are also known to trigger the symptoms. It is best to minimize the
intake of foods such as ice cream or any kinds of cream-based foods, chocolate
and chocolate products, substances that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea
and sodas, carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners.

To keep track of foods that irritate your colon, you can keep a journal of your
daily food intake and check which foods seem to trigger the symptoms. If there
are foods that cause the flare up of symptoms, you can adjust your intake and
supplement them with other foods that do not have the same effects on your
disorder. This activity will provide your doctor with substantial information
that will lead to a well-designed treatment based on your personal needs.

Your dietician will help largely in creating a balanced diet for you while
getting around the possibility to triggering attacks.

Apart from avoiding problematic foods and stress management, you might also
practice healthful drinking. Drinking plenty of water along with an increase of
fiber intake proves to be helpful in lessening your susceptibility to
reoccurrence of symptoms. This is most effective when the prevailing symptom is
constipation.

Once the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome is fixed, it is likely that there
would be a temporary stoppage of symptoms. Please seek your doctor's advice to
cerate a more feasible plan of discontinuing the occurrence of the disorder.

Irritable Bowel: Disease?

Many people today have the misconception that a person suffering from irritable
bowel syndrome is suffering from a disease. However, they are actually quite
mistaken. Not only are they mistaken, they can also cause a lot of harm because
of their mistake.

The term "irritable bowel disease" can have a lot of negative meanings attached
to it. People who use this term loosely rarely have any idea of what
implications they are making. These implications can cause a lot of harm to the
person suffering from this illness and to the people who do not have any
knowledge regarding irritable bowel syndrome.

First of all, when people say "irritable bowel disease" it seems as if they are
talking about something contagious. This could be enough to isolate the one
suffering from the syndrome. Of course, people do not want to get irritable
bowel syndrome and they try to do al they can to avoid having this illness.
This means that if people were to call this condition a "disease", then those
people will think that they can get it from people who are already suffering
from this illness. Because of this, they will avoid any type of contact with
people who have this syndrome. This means that the person who has irritable
bowel syndrome would not only have to suffer the different symptoms of this
illness, he or she would also have to go through the pain of social isolation.

As we all know, social isolation is one of the most painful things that can
happen to a human being. That is the reason why solitary confinement is known
today as one of the harshest punishments in jail.

The term "irritable bowel disease" also gives another implication: that there
is a cure. In fact, this condition is not really curable. Although there are
various medicines and methods that can be used to reduce its symptoms, there is
no actual cure that can cause a person to stop having irritable bowel syndrome.

A false hope of a cure can cause a lot of damage to a person suffering from
irritable bowel syndrome. They may be lured by various false cures that are
being offered out there. They could be the unwitting victim of a drug that only
makes their symptoms worse.

Another damage caused by this is the fact that they may forget how to keep the
symptoms at bay. People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome rely on
different methods to keep the different symptoms of this illness at bay. When
people think that it can be cured, they tend to take these methods for granted.
Some would think that they can take the brunt of the symptoms until they find
the cure for their "irritable bowel disease". Sadly, these people would suffer
for nothing.

A lot of damage can be done by changing one word. We act differently if
something is given a different label. Irritable bowel is not a disease, it is a
syndrome. This means that it is a condition. It is a given set of symptoms. One
should not avoid people suffering from "irritable bowel disease", one should
try to understand the condition of the people suffering from "irritable bowel
syndrome". Only by learning how to use the right words can we hope to
understand our fellow men.

The Proper Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome try to alleviate the symptoms
of this illness through different methods. Some turn to special herbs to try
and stop the illness. Others may even try techniques such as hypnosis in order
to relieve them of their sickness. It is sad to see, however, that not many
people who have irritable bowel syndrome really consider going on a special
diet. This may be due to a variety of reasons, one of which is the failure if a
physician to give a plan of diet for irritable bowel syndrome to the patient.

Another dismaying fact is that today, there are a lot of bogus diets for
irritable bowel syndrome. There are many people today who give and receive the
wrong advice on diets for irritable bowel syndrome. This, of course, can lead
to disastrous results. Why, you ask? Well, try to put yourself in the shoes of
a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. You are suffering because of
all the symptoms of this illness. You would do anything to alleviate your pain.
"Anything" in this case includes following every bit of advice that you pick up
from your environment.

Because of your desperation to rid yourself of this illness, you will try
various suggested diets for irritable bowel syndrome. If, of course, the advice
proves to be wrong, then you would only end up having worse symptoms. And that's
something that you do not want to happen.

One thing that you should know about irritable bowel syndrome is the fact that
diet has a lot to do with it. Eating the right foods can definitely help ease
the various manifestations of this illness in a person's life. Many people say
that every person should have his or her own diet for irritable bowel syndrome.
They insist that personalized diets for irritable bowel syndrome sufferers are
necessary to achieve freedom from this illness. And so people who want to find
a solution pay a lot of money in order to have someone personalize a diet for
their irritable bowel syndrome.

In fact, this is not really necessary. People who have irritable bowel syndrome
may try to stick to one generic diet and still enjoy its benefits. Finding the
proper diet for irritable bowel syndrome only requires understanding of these
tips:

1. Think in categories, not in specifics -- There is no specific food that
triggers symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This does not mean that you
don't have the power to control your illness. What you need to understand is
that there are certain types of foods that will trigger your illness. You need
to avoid these categories of foods:

a) Fatty 
b) High in insoluble fiber 
c) Coffee (both caffeinated and decaf) 
d) Carbonated drinks e) Alcohol

The proper diet for irritable bowel syndrome eliminates food that fall under
these categories because of the fact that these foods will trigger the symptoms
of irritable bowel syndrome.

2. Substitute and diversify -- Just because you are on a diet for irritable
bowel syndrome does not mean that you should miss out on eating good food. Try
to find substitute for the different foods that you need to eliminate. You
should also try to vary your meals in order to avoid boredom with what you are
eating. Remember that a diet for irritable bowel syndrome will help you only if
you commit yourself to following it.

Understanding Irritable Bowel

Many people find it surprising to be diagnosed of a syndrome that has been with
them for years. This is often the case with irritable bowel syndrome for which
many people are only diagnosed and treated after several years of suffering
over the disorder.

It is not surprising though that this is the case. People often think it normal
that they visit the comfort room 5 times or so a day for a couple of weeks. Or
say, abdominal cramping may become a normal occurrence after experiencing it
for quite a time. People learn to get used with such discomforts after some
time and many will then ignore these once it reoccurs.

This is basically the nature of irritable bowel disorder. Many may experience
mild symptoms that would trigger various aches in the abdominal muscles
followed by a period of absence of abdominal irritation.

10 to 15% of the general population suffers from irritable bowel disorder. It
is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists who specialize in
conditions linked with the intestinal tract.

While irritable bowel may often be mistakened for colitis or mucous colitis,
spastic colon, spastic colitis, ulcer, irritable colon or nervous stomach, many
of its symptoms is relatively different from that of these diseases.

It is generally classified as functional disorder which means that the disease
can be referred only through careful examination of the physiological function
rather than identifiable biochemical or structural causes. It is characterized
by an abnormality that cant be dealt with using conventional methods of
diagnosis such as x ray, blood tests and examinations. Sometimes, even
colonoscopy fails to work.

Colonospcopy is the use of a flexible tube that is inserted into the anus of
the patient. This has a small camera on its end that is used for closer
examination of the colon tissues. The image that is captured by this camera
will then be transferred to the screen projector that physicians use for visual
examination.

Irritable bowel syndrome is considered to be a multi-faceted condition. It is
understood that irritable bowel is a product of the disturbance in the
interaction between various bodily components. These are the intestines or the
guts, the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling
voluntary muscles including the lining and the components of the intestinal
tract, and the brain.

Irritable bowel is characterized by a number of symptoms wherein the basic
factor is determined by abdominal discomfort or pain that is associated with
changes in bowel pattern such as frequent bowel movements, or loose and watery
stools.

Symptoms vary from person to person, specifically in the frequency and
intensity of "irritation". Most people experience mild abdominal distractions
while others endure disabling attacks.

While there is still no cure yet for irritable bowel, treatment options are
available in wide spectrum. From medications to changes in lifestyles, so long
as the treatment works for your case, it is applicable. While some treatment
may work for other people, other patients are less responsive to treatments.
The same goes true with problematic foods that trigger the attacks. Some foods
may cause other people to experience abdominal irritation while others may not
feel any sensation at all.

To create a more comprehensive plan for treatment, it is best that you seek
medical help. A dietician may also assist in formulating a feasible plan that
is adaptive to your case.

A Quick View on Irratable Bowel Syndrome

Definition: Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that affects the
intestinal tract, more specifically the colon or the large intestine. First
thought of as a psychosomatic disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is now
considered a functional disorder which means that though physical disorders are
not present, this still does not negate that there is an actual source of pain.
It all lies in the physiological factors rather than the physical components
such as the anatomy of the intestine or the chemical interaction within the
system.

Since it is a syndrome, it is characterized by a combination of symptoms for
which the causes are unknown.

Prevalence: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is known to be one of the most prevalent
conditions diagnosed in primary health care. In fact, one in every ten hospital
visits is known to cover this disorder.

Signs and symptoms: Most patients experience mild to severe abdominal cramping,
bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea or an alternation of both.

In most people, the symptoms are mild. However, for more aggravated conditions,
severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be disabling which for some reasons, do not
respond well to medications and treatment.

It can also be a chronic condition which can affect people for longer periods.
However, there are periods when there is not one sign at all of being affected
by this disorder. However, it is likely that once the symptoms reoccur, the
condition is worsened.

Fortunately, unlike with other intestinal disease, Irritable Bowel Disorder
does not develop into more serious conditions since it does not cause
inflammation or damage on the tissue of the intestines.

Causes

While there seems to be lots of documented cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
there is still no known cause for this disorder.

The intestinal walls are lined with muscles that regularly contract to
facilitate the digestion of food. This then will relax to release the digested
food, which will then be delivered towards the rectum. In normal states, these
muscles contract and relax at a coordinated rhythm. For people with irritable
bowel syndrome though, there seems to be a significant disorder in this
process. For some, the muscles contract and relax stronger while for other
patients, the opposite occurs. This condition then leaves the person bloated or
feeling uncomfortable with their bowel movement.

A number of studies assert that changes in the actions of nerves can have
effects in the bowel movement. Others believe that there must be some roles
that the autonomic nervous system play in the control and sensation covered by
this syndrome. Still others believe that hormonal changes may have some effects
on this syndrome since women are more likely to develop this disorder as
compared with men.

Treatments

Since we don't know exactly why this syndrome occurs, the medical community has
not yet produced any effective cure to eliminate this disease. It is however a
common knowledge that changes in lifestyle, diet and stress management can all
add up to the possibilities of treating this disease. Abstention from certain
foods that trigger this disease also proves helpful.

Such problematic foods include mostly all fat-based products and those that
have high fat content.

Symptoms can also be relieved through medications. Be careful though that you
follow the strict guidelines that were given to you by your physician to avoid
side effects and drug interaction.

Diagnosis and Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Knowledge on the nature of a condition helps us provide better treatment
options. While doctors don't know exactly the complexities that envelope
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, we know for a fact that it may be due to
irregularities in the spasms of the intestinal tract or any other related
conditions.

Seeing your physician is the first step to knowing if you actually are affected
by the disease. It is basically diagnosed by looking through the medical history
of the patient and by characterizing symptoms as covered by Irritable Bowel
Syndrome.

There is no defined test that is specifically made for diagnosing irritable
bowel syndrome. Several tests are used, however, to help rule out this diseases
over other conditions. Tests include examinations such as stool sample testing,
X rays and blood tests.

Normally, you doctor will perform a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. This is done
by inserting a small flexible tube with attached camera into your anus. The
image will then register onto the screen that is connected to it. This will
help facilitate a closer look in your colon.

If your test result yields negative, you will then be diagnosed depending on
other symptoms that you might have endured during the past couple of months. He
is likely to ask you how frequent your attacks are or the intensity of the
attacks. He might as well inquire of the stool consistency and the changes in
your bowel functions. Most doctors make use of a list of symptoms to help
qualify your condition as irritable bowel syndrome.

Knowing if you have developed the syndrome or not, you can apply treatments
that are necessary to alleviate the condition or to help in the treatment.
Remember though that for some people, irritable bowel movement is a chronic
condition. While treatment may be found, some symptoms will just subside for a
period but will then return to its earlier state, or maybe worse.

There is simply no cure for irritable bowel syndrome. However, treatments are
available. Your physician will provide you with the best treatment for your
condition and may advise you to change your general lifestyle and learn to
manage stress.

Medications, as part of the treatment plans, will help relive the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. He may give you laxatives and supplements for
constipation and a number of medications for diarrhea. To control colon muscle
spasms and to help in the reduction of abdominal pain, antispasmodic is
frequently prescribed.

However, antispasmodic and antidepressant are known to trigger constipation.
Thus, your doctor might provide you with options of medicines that will help
muscles in the intestines and bladder to relax. Medications such as this can be
addictive though, so be careful of using such.

Medications specifically created for Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:

Lotronex (Alosetron hydrochloride) is extremely recommended for women sufferers
when all other conventional forms of treatments failed to work and when the most
prominent symptom is diarrhea. However, even with this recommendation, patients
must still exercise caution since extreme side effects include decreased blood
flow towards the colon and severe constipation.

Zelnorm (Tegaserod maleate) is recommended for short term treatment among women
whose significant symptom is constipation. It is used for a standard of 4-6
weeks.

With the use of any medications and treatment, it is always necessary that you
follow your doctor's prescriptions and guidelines. Patients often report of
worsened condition after failing to follow the strict advices from their
physicians.

Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Derived from the term syndrome, it is basically a group of conditions that
cause one major condition to arise. However, there is no known cause that would
explain why irritable bowel syndrome appears mostly among female of middle age
or why there is no specific intensity or frequency of attacks experienced among
patients.

It is, however, considered a functional disorder wherein no signs of colon
impairment is seen during examination but the colon still doesn't work in the
way it should be working. There is no known cause for this syndrome yet and as
such, there can't still be cures for it.

For most people, irritable bowel syndrome is only a mild annoyance. However,
for some it is a disabling disorder that would permit them from continuing
normal affairs.

Symptoms:

Irritable bowel syndrome is frequently characterized with attacks of diarrhea
and constipation.

Diarrhea is a condition wherein one has the uncontrollable urge to release
bowel. This is often matched with fluid-like stools mixed with mucus.

Constipation, on the other hand, is the condition wherein the patient
experiences abdominal cramping with or without the release of painful, and
relatively dry stool.

There seems to be a number of various causes that lead to the development of
this syndrome. For instance, it seems to be linked with disturbed muscle
movement of the intestine or intolerance with stretching of the intestine.
There may not be an abnormality on the anatomical features of the intestine
though but the cause may be triggered with physiological disturbances.

Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are:

§ Constipation and diarrhea or alternating of both § Crampy stomach or abdomen
§ Gas § Abdominal bloating § Mucus in the stool § Sensation of unfinished bowel

Note though that the frequency and intensity of these symptoms vary from one
patient to another. It is therefore important that before taking up medications
or before following a treatment plan, you are properly diagnosed by your
physician.

Prevalence

There is no fixed data that yields specific number of patients covered under
irritable bowel syndrome. This is largely because of unreported incidences that
are often not documented. However, sources agree that 1 out of ten hospital
visits is related with irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of which are
covered by women who are aged 20 years old and above. Nevertheless, irritable
bowel syndrome may affect people of any age.

While 1 out of ten hospital visits is covered irritable bowel syndrome, many
patients are diagnosed only once the condition aggravates. It is prevalent yet
people don't normally think of it as something that would occupy their daily
affairs. Additionally, there is a common notion that it is more of a
psychological issue rather than a physical one.

The good thing about irritable bowel syndrome is that it is not subject to
developing into more aggravated conditions. This is basically due to the factor
that it does not cause inflammation in the intestinal linings, or bleeding,
damage to the colon and is not related with cancerous developments.

There are some basic treatments for irritable bowel syndrome yet these are not
guarantees of complete cure. In fact, due to the lack of information on this
condition, there is still no defined cure for irritable bowel syndrome.

Changes in lifestyle are often recommended and careful intake of foods. It is
often suggested that managing stress must be implemented since it has a direct
connection with this syndrome.

Changes that Will Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is among one of the common causes that send people to
doctors. In fact this condition accounts to ten percent of all primary hospital
visits.

While it may be among the common disorders, people tend not to talk about it.
It is marked by symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea- certainly not the
casual thing that patients would not want to open with other people. And add to
it the fact that Irritable Bowel Syndrome has for long been considered a
psychosomatic disease that appeals more to the mind rather than to the body.

Most patients experience mild symptoms. It is rare that they undergo severe
symptoms. However, due to the stress and depression that accompany this
disorder, many people find themselves subjected to more painful sensations
rather than what they should actually experience.

The good thing about Irritable Bowel Syndrome though is that it does not lead
to more aggravated conditions unlike Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. IBS
does not result to changes in bowel tissue nor does it cause inflammation. It
does not also contribute to one's susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Thus, it
does not require any comprehensive treatments. In fact, it can be helped with
changes in general lifestyle, food intake and stress.

Here are some ways that would help you deal with Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Many people experience stress while having attacks of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Biofeedback has been a good help among patients for years. This
stress-production technique helps in the reduction of muscle tension to
facilitate a slower heart rate with the feedback registration of a machine. You
will then be delivered to relaxed states that will help you cope with the stress
of undergoing IBS.

For supplemental support, you may also try practicing yoga and meditation.
Regular massage would also prove productive.

Deep breathing helps in the relaxation of muscle. Most adults normally breathe
from chests but this must not be the case. The lungs and the diaphragm are
intended to be filled in with air and completely released from air.

Your diaphragm is the muscle that sets the boundary between your abdomen and
chest. Once your breathing becomes normal, it is likely that your abdominal
muscles are relax, which then creates a more normal bowel movement.

In some cases, relative changes in the diet would help suppress the symptoms of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While your body may not respond immediately to these,
your goal is after a long term solution, not one that would help relive you for
a while.

Gradually increase your fiber intake over a few weeks. It is a blessing for
most diarrhea sufferers as well as constipation patients. Since IBS is marked
by symptoms of both conditions, it might as well provide some relief for you.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans will do. If your condition doesn't
change or if it becomes worse, it is best to seek a dietician's help.

It is highly suggested that you refrain from taking problem foods. These
include chocolates, alcohol, dairy products, sodas, sugar-free sweeteners and
caffeinated beverages. Some people have developed oversensitivity to specific
foods. It is best that you observe what foods trigger your attacks. For most
people though, the following foods certainly cause the increase of attack
intensity: fat-based foods such as margarine and butter, nuts, mayonnaise,
cream, red meat and ice cream.

Be careful though that your diet is not much too restricted.

How the Drug Zelnorm Relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Drug Zelnorm is the only prescription drug approved by the FDA for the
treatment of women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.
The drug Zelnorm relieves irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by
speeding up the stooling process. Because of this, it is not to be used by
people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.

How does Zelnorm speed up the digestive process?

There is a certain chemical produced naturally by the body, known as Serotonin,
which helps regulate the digestive process. A common cause of irritable bowel
syndrome with constipation is a slow digestive tract. This may be due to a low
level of Serotonin in your body. The drug Zelnorm relieves irritable bowel
syndrome with constipation by acting like Serotonin. It helps coordinate the
various muscles in your digestive tract in order to speed up the digestive
process.

This method is very different from what common laxatives and fiber supplements
do to relieve irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Fiber supplements and
laxatives often work by increasing the water content of your stool. This makes
it softer and easier to evacuate from your body. The drug Zelnorm relieves
irritable bowel syndrome with constipation not by manipulating the stool, but
by manipulating the movement of the digestive tract itself.

Despite this fact, there are certain warnings which need to be said about
taking the drug Zelnorm against irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

First of all, Zelnorm cannot be used by men with irritable bowel syndrome. It
only works in men suffering from chronic constipation. This means that only
women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation can take this
drug.

It should not be taken if a person has irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.
This is because this drug could only make diarrhea worse and could prove very
dangerous. When a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
takes the drug zelnorm, he or she could only make the diarrhea worse. This may
lead to severe dehydration, low blood pressure or even death.

It should never be taken by children.

There are, of course, safer alternatives to taking the drug Zelnorm against
irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. One of this is to make use of
soluble fiber supplements. Soluble fiber supplements can be used by people who
suffer from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and by people who suffer
from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. Another alternative to using the
drug Zelnorm against irritable bowel syndrome with constipation would be herbal
medicines such as fennel and peppermint. Fennel helps stabilize the digestive
process by regulating the contractions of the small intestine. It also helps
relax the gut. Often, fennel is taken in teas.

Peppermint capsules are also common substitutes for the drug Zelnorm against
irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. It has been shown to relieve the symptoms of
IBS even in children. Like soluble fiber, this treatment also works to relieve
both constipation and diarrhea in people. Some people may question the fact
that any type of fat or oil is known to trigger symptoms of IBS. However,
peppermint oil capsules are specially coated so that they pass through the
stomach and only release the oil in the small intestine where the oil will do
its work.

For people who wish to try using the drug Zelnorm for irritable bowel syndrome
symptoms, it can be effective, but you should definitely be careful.

Some Tips to Help You with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

Because of the diversity of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome,
it is often classified into three groups:

1) Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation -- This is when abdominal pain in
a person is accompanied by difficulty to defecate. A person suffering from
irritable bowel syndrome with constipation often feels the abdominal pain go
away after he or she has defecated. However, it should be noted that people who
suffer from this type of Irritable bowel syndrome are often left with a feeling
of incomplete evacuation. The stool of the person suffering from irritable
bowel syndrome with constipation is often hard and lumpy.

It is also the case that people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with
constipation defecate only 3 times a week.

2) Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea -- People who suffer from this type
of irritable bowel syndrome often have a feeling of urgency to defecate. Their
pain is often relieved by defecation which occurs three times a day. The stool
of the person suffering from this is commonly loose and watery.

3) Irritable bowel syndrome with alternating stool pattern -- There are cases
in which the people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome would experience
diarrhea for one week, and constipation the next week. This is often very
inconvenient for the person since he or she has to change the treatments that
he or she is undergoing regularly.

Let us focus on the first category. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
with constipation can be relieved by making use of just a few techniques. Here
are some of them:

a) Drink lots of water -- This is in order to prevent the hardening of stool.
Drinking water can help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with
constipation by cleansing the body's system of any impurities. It is also very
helpful in softening the stool of a person suffering from this illness.

b) Take soluble fiber supplements -- These supplements also help in softening
the stool of a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with
constipation. Although there are several people who say that insoluble fiber is
the best type of fiber to take when you have this illness, you should never take
insoluble fiber without soluble fiber. This is because insoluble fiber has the
potential to trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Insoluble fiber
is also very tiring for your stomach to digest.

c) Relax -- There are studies showing that stress has a lot to do with the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This means that what you are thinking can
affect the way your digestive system works. If you try too hard to defecate, you
might not be able to. Do not think of your syndrome when you defecate. Try to
relax and release your stress.

d) Pace your eating -- try not too eat too many things at one sitting. This
could aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The
best thing you can do is to eat a little at a time. If you want to, you can eat
as many times as you want, but try to pace yourself sop that you will allow for
proper digestion.

These are just some of the tips to follow when you are experiencing irritable
bowel syndrome with constipation. By following these tips, you will be able to
lessen the discomfort brought about by the symptoms of this illness.

Different Types of Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

As any person suffering from this illness can tell you, Irritable Bowel
Syndrome can be hell. This is partly because of the fact that even though the
disease is not fatal, it is also incurable. The symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome can greatly affect the personal lives of the people who suffer from
it. This is the reason why people suffering from this illness try to find
different irritable bowel syndrome treatments to help them keep the symptoms
under control.

There are different irritable bowel syndrome treatments and their effectiveness
can vary depending on the case of each person. Let us examine some of these
treatments:

1) Alternative therapy -- Studies have shown that stress and psychology has a
great effect on the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome. This is the reason
why people sometimes turn to alternative Irritable bowel syndrome treatment.
Alternative therapy consists of various treatments not included in western
medicine. Here are some examples:

a) Acupuncture -- acupuncture is one of the most effective types of alternative
irritable bowel syndrome treatments available today. Acupuncture works
differently for many sufferers of Irritable bowel syndrome. This is mainly
because of the fact that practitioners of this art treat this illness on a
case-to-case basis. How does acupuncture work as an irritable bowel syndrome
treatment?

Well, acupuncture tries to release blockages in a person's Qi or life force.
This is done through placing needles in various points of the body. Don't worry
because acupuncture needles are specially made to be so thin that they cannot
cause any pain. Mainly, the benefit of acupuncture is the alleviation of pain
caused by the symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome.

b) Yoga -- As said before, studies have shown that stress has a huge effect on
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Many people turn to yoga in order to help
them calm their minds and thus, eliminate stress from their lives. Although yoga
treats no specific aspects of irritable bowel syndrome, this treatment is
recommended to prevent those symptoms by making sure that a person is in a
relaxed state of mind.

c) Herbal -- As we all know, modern medicines have a history going back to old
herbs. Herbal treatments today are known to treat a variety of symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. Treatments are also made on a case to case basis. A
person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome would tell the herbalist the
symptoms that he or she is suffering from and the herbalist would give him or
her the combination of herbs that would help.

2) Medical -- People who have Irritable bowel syndrome often turn to doctors in
order to help them with the symptoms. This type of irritable bowel syndrome
treatment is often more convenient to people. It is also widely trusted mainly
because people do understand it better. There are two main types of medical
irritable bowel syndrome treatments:

a) Drugs -- People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome are given
prescriptions of various medicines to help them cope with the symptoms of the
illness. Often, these drugs are used to alleviate pain, stabilize the digestive
process, and stop depression. People often need to take a combination of these
drugs as part of their irritable bowel syndrome treatment.

b) Psychology -- Many agree that proper counseling is still the best type of
irritable bowel syndrome treatment today. People who suffer from this disease
often only make it worse by worrying constantly about it. Psychological
counseling would do wonders as a part of a patient's irritable bowel syndrome
treatment.

Most Common Treatments in UK for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

With the large number of people affected with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, there
is still no cure that is found to relieve them from this disorder. IBS is not
specifically a hard condition to treat. In fact, it is a known truth that even
slight changes in lifestyle and diet can all contribute to the suppression of
the symptoms. It needs no operations or surgery to repair whatever disorder
there is in the abdomen. On the extreme, use of drugs and medication can be
applied to demonstrate treatment.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is mainly a functional disorder. This implies that
there are no physical changes in the bowel such as damage and inflammation that
can cause the aggravation of the condition. Yet the absence of such does not
negate the presence of symptoms. The thing though is that the root problem lies
in the malfunctioning system that is focused in the larger intestine.

This alone makes the condition harder to treat. Add to this the fact that most
factors included are primarily subjective, which can't be dealt with objective
parameters.

To test for the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the best thing to do is
to check for symptoms. These include conditions such as bloating or distention,
diarrhea and constipation. In most cases, the latter alternate in appearance.
Thus, after the symptoms of diarrhea are suppressed it is likely that
constipation will follow. This makes treatment a bit more complicated.

X-ray is often used in determining the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
However, this will not deal on the physical properties of the colon or the
small intestine itself. After all, IBS does not show anatomical complications.

The X-ray will be used through the administration of the barium enema. This
liquid will be delivered to the bowel through the anus. This way, the colon
will show up more clearly on the monitor. This will assist in determining the
presence of abnormalities in the functions of the larger intestine.

Like most syndromes, Irritable Bowel has no definite cure. Instead, patients
have to be treated of their symptoms. Treatments may involve changes in the
daily food intakes to influence the functions of the bowel, stress relief
(since stress is closely related with the exasperation of the disorder) and
medical intervention.

Knowing what works for you best among these three will determine which would
produce better result.

While foods do not directly cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome, there are still
some foods that are known to trigger the condition. These are what we call
"trigger foods" or "problematic foods".

Substances rich in fats such as fried foods, cream-based foods, milk products,
chocolates and nuts often prove to do more damage than good in the colon of a
person affected with Irritable Bowel. Alcohol and beverages rich in caffeine
are also threats to the disease.

If other food cause IBS attacks, the best recourse is to stop eating them or
atleast minimize the intake.

You can use a guideline to determine this. Knowing what foods you eat, what
symptoms are triggered, when was the food eaten and the consequent symptom
occurred and what types of foods normally send you to attacks will aid in
finding your relief.

As for medications, it is strictly recommended that your doctor's guidelines
are followed. Sometimes, inefficiency in following your dosage can lead to
worse conditions.

Stress management, on the other hand, will not only relax your entire body but
can also help you relax your intestinal tract. Thus, functions can be regulated.

Constipation: A Common Part of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Constipation is a subjective abdominal disorder among many people. For some, it
only means hard stool, while for others it is correlated with infrequent stools.
Others still view it as straining of stool or a general sensation of incomplete
emptying following a bowel movement. On the extreme condition which is
considered a rare case is the fecal impaction or the state wherein the stool
hardens which then prevents the passage of stools.

These types of constipation are said to have various roots, which therefore
require different forms of treatment.

Constipation normally alternates with diarrhea to a person who has Irritable
Bowel Syndrome.

There is no fixed number of bowel movements each week that must be done to be
able to maintain a healthy intestinal tract. Three times a day to one regular
bowel movement a day is normal. But in general, as people age their bowel
movement decreases in number.

Nearly one hundred percent of adults have bowel movements of 21 times per week.
Most people though have a common pattern of one bowel movement per day. However,
this is documented in less than fifty percent of the general population. Most
people have regular bowel movements and are seen to have no similar number of
bowel movements everyday.

Technically, constipation is diagnosed when a person has lesser than three
bowel movements per week. Having one per week is already considered severe.
There is no medical explanation as to why most people have a regular bowel
movement each day and having no bowel movement in three consecutive days does
not project any serious physical discomfort. Only, some people undergo mental
distress. Moreover, there is no sign that humans accumulate intestinal toxins
after days of infrequent bowel movements. It is not also linked to the
development of cancer.

Chronic constipation is normally associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome which
requires no immediate treatment since it does not involve worrisome inflammation
of the abdominal lining which often cause rectal bleeding and a number of other
symptoms.

While we may not know exactly how Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs, the
contribution of research on the main causes and the true nature of constipation
give us ideas as to how we can atleast resolve the symptoms.

Bowel movements are subjected to voluntary control. That means it is under the
somatic nervous system, which controls the voluntary activities humans do. It
is therefore important to note that constipation may be a product of frequently
suppressing the urge to defecate. This action will then lessen the urge for a
person to exercise bowel movements.

Diet can also affect the activities in the intestinal tract. This is why we
often hear people suggesting of changing daily food intake when seen with the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fiber from fruits and vegetables proves
useful in creating bulky and soft stool, which can aid in facilitating easier
bowel movement.

The recommended intake of fiber is five to six servings of natural sources a
day. However, for those who do not respond to this can be helped by
supplementary fibers.

Laxatives are also known to cause constipation. Chronic use of various
stimulant laxatives has been associated with damages in the colon and
intestinal muscles. It is not clear though if it is the laxative that causes
the damage or the damage is already present prior to the use of laxatives,
which itself caused the use. Nonetheless, due to high possibilities, laxative
is only used as a last resort to treating constipation or irritable bowel
syndrome.

Treatment for one symptom of a syndrome, in this case constipation, can lead us
to further treating the whole condition.

Intestinal Gas: Among the Many Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome varies from one person to another, both in
intensity and types. However, there are commonly appearing symptoms that are
almost always present with all patients regardless of the mildness or
aggravation of the condition.

Intestinal gas or bloating is among the many symptoms that may manifest if you
have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. To better understand why this usually occurs
among patients of IBS, let us discuss here conditions that are closely
associated with intestinal gas.

Belching: Belching or betterly known as burping is the ability to expel
intestinal gas through the mouth. This is usually caused by a bloated or
distended stomach due to swallowed air. This swallowed air will then cause
abdominal discomfort, which will then be relieved through belching. Most
patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome often experience abdominal bloating
which in a way causes the aggravation of the condition through creating stress
from painful stomach.

Aerophagia, on the other hand, is the excessive intake of air through rapid
gulping of water or food and frequent intake of carbonated beverages.

Belching is somehow used to find relief for bloated individuals. However, there
are many possibilities as to what causes the real ill concerning the intestine. 
If belching proved to be unhelpful, then this is a sure sign that something 
must be wrong in your intestinal tract. Excessive belching alone would not help 
determine the presence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome since it is usually 
associated with any other kind of abdominal disorders.

Bloating: While there may be some significant similarities between bloating and
distention, it is still important to know that they are two different
conditions.

Bloating is the subjective feeling that the stomach is quite larger than
normal. Distention on the other hand is the actual experience of actual
enlargement of the abdomen. Thus, both are closely related to any forms of
abdominal discomfort.

It is, however, true that in many cases of distention, bloating may manifest.

There are three basic ways on which distention may arise: increase in abdominal
tissue, air and fluid inside the abdominal tract. There are various diseases
though that will trigger any of these three.

Flatulence: Farting or flatulence is gas passing through the anus. The gas that
is concerned in here only has two sources: one is from the intestinal bacteria
that thrive in the colon and the other is the swallowed air. The latter though
rarely causes flatulence.

This intestinal bacteria produces gas after digestion of food (specifically the
polysaccharides and sugars) that were not properly digested in the small
intestine. The three most commonly maldigested sugars are sorbitol (common
sweetener for low calorie foods), lactose (sugar found in milk which itself is
considered as problematic food among irritable bowel syndrome sufferers) and
fructose (sugar from fruits that is normally used as sweetener for drinks and
candies).

Intermittent Abdominal Distention and Bloating: Apart from the bacteria that
causes the production of intestinal gas, excessive and regularly-occurring
bloating and distention can also be caused by physical obstruction.

Blockages in the intestinal tract can appear virtually from the rectum to the
stomach. This may be due to scarring of the pylorus which can obstruct the
complete emptying of the small intestine as the digested food passes through it
towards the colon. This results to distention.

It may also be due to functional distraction, which by the way is the main
reason why Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs. This is due to the abnormality in
the coordination of the intestinal muscles which causes further pain in the
abdomen.

Benefits of Self Help Group and Prevention Techniques on Irritable Bowel
Syndrome

Living with a condition that affects daily affairs is not only disabling but
can also pose embarrassing instances. Since this is primarily a chronic
disease, it is likely that you will have to endure a life-long experience.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, be assured
that you are not alone. At least 15% of the general population is affected with
this condition and many more are yet to be documented.

While there may be lots of people experiencing the same troubles as you do, you
will find it hard to find people who would willingly listen to your stories. In
fact, you may even find it hard to start telling anyone of your cares.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not the usual disorder that anyone will be willing
to talk about, it is, for most people, a distressing disease since it tackles
abnormalities in the intestinal tract. Diarrhea, constipation and bloating are
not the casual thing that people would want to hear. Thus, this adds to the
stress and further aggravation of the condition.

The good thing though is that there are self help groups that are more than
willing to help you with your difficulties.

Talking with people of the same condition can be reassuring. The internet seems
to offer the widest venue for all patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Try the
chat rooms or the forums and you will see that you are just among the many.

Seeking your doctor's help will not set guidance on your persisting problems.
They may also channel you out towards self help or support groups. Moreover,
you can find local groups in your community and may as well work mutually
towards finding assurances and workable treatments of your disease.

Since Irritable Bowel is a syndrome, the most common treatments are facilitated
through creating treatment plans towards the symptoms and not on the disorder
itself. Besides, there is lack of information on the true nature of disease,
which makes it difficult to find ultimate cures. Thus, the only recourse is to
seek effective measures of lessening the effects of the symptoms on patients.

The following are techniques to help prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of
the symptoms. Note that at some cases, the symptoms will subside for a couple
of weeks. However, this does not ensure the disappearance of the disease. In
fact, once it reoccurs, it is possible that the condition is worse than it was
before. To eliminate such possibilities, you can follow the guidelines posted
here or you may seek help from your self help group.

Stay away from trigger foods. Most foods that have high fat content are often
deemed as bane of the normal functioning of the intestines. This is true since
they create slower movements of the muscles. If this were the case, there would
be more gas produced since the bacteria acting on the digestion of this
component would take longer to finish the work.

Plenty of fluids will cleanse the system. Aside from acting as the maintenance
of the intestinal tract, fluids can also help drive digested foods into the
lower portions of the digestive system which makes the process easier. It also
helps in replenishing water in case of dehydration due to diarrhea. Which
itself is a major symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

And, do regular exercises. This would not only create healthful effects on your
body but will also help regulate the abnormal movements of your intestinal tract.

Remember that treatment alone is not enough to help you of clearing the
symptoms. You may also need the company of those who understand to hasten the
entire process.

Finding Information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Online

The internet is undeniably the largest source of information available and
accessible today. People make use of the internet to research on many things
from recipes to the latest gossips. Because of this, it would be quite easy to
find information about irritable bowel syndrome online.

Before you begin your search, there are many things to consider:

1) The type of information you need -- Knowing what sort of information about
irritable bowel syndrome you need should help you narrow down your search
considerably. Are you looking for the various symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome online? Perhaps you are looking for the various types of treatments of
irritable bowel syndrome online?

You should also decide whether you want the type of information that can be
understood by ordinary people or whether you want the type of information that
can be grasped by someone acquainted with the different aspects of
gastroenterology.

Whatever objectives you have, understanding them can go a long way in helping
you find the type of information you need. By limiting your search to those
websites that do contain the type of information you want, you will have a
quicker and easier time finding that information.

2) The size of the information -- Some websites may contain more information
than others. Before you begin your search, you need to have an idea just how
large the information you need should be. By scanning the contents of different
websites, you can easily tell if that website has the amount of information you
need.

Once you have established these parameters, you can begin your search. Here are
some types of websites that you can make use of:

a) Web encyclopedias -- These treasure troves of knowledge contain
comprehensive information on whatever subject you wish to search for. This
means that if you are looking for information on irritable bowel syndrome
online, then these sites are the best source for you. This is especially if you
are looking for a site which can be understood by ordinary people.

Web encyclopedias are designed to be accessible by common people and these
sites offer simple explanations that can be grasped easily.

b) Support groups -- There are websites in the internet that are formed by
people who have experience with irritable bowel syndrome. By going to sites
such as these, you will be able to gain information such as the different
treatments available to people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome online.

These support groups provide information designed to help people who are
suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. This information includes how to cope
with irritable bowel syndrome, various tips on preventing the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome and others.

c) Medical information sites -- There are sites specializing in the discussion
of irritable bowel syndrome and its treatments. In this type of website, you
can gain knowledge about the latest developments in the treatment of irritable
bowel syndrome. A user can also gain comprehensive knowledge about the
different methods used to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome online.

d) Product sites -- There are different types of products online ranging from
books to capsules that claim to be able to help relieve the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. The web sites of these products often contain
information on how exactly irritable bowel syndrome occurs and what their
product can do to stop the symptoms. By looking for information on irritable
bowel syndrome online using this type of site, you should be able to
familiarize just what components are needed to have a healthy digestive system.

Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is the disorder that affects mainly the colon
or the larger intestines. This is the part of the digestive system that stores
stools.

Since this condition is termed to as syndrome, it is characterized with various
symptoms for which the root causes are not known.

Although it is relatively prevalent among Americans, there is still no crucial
evidence found that would help produce effective treatments. Lack of research
is often thought of as the main reason why there is not enough knowledge
concerning Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In the research industry, only those life-threatening conditions often received
immediate attention. Since Irritable Bowel syndrome is a chronic condition and
does not pose threats to the life of the patient, it is set off for later
research. Add to this the fact that this condition is a functional disorder
which further complicates the lack of viable treatment.

Functional disorder is often associated with subjective sensations and symptoms
for which quantifiable measures cannot be administered. Say for pain, there is
no objective factor that can be studied for pain of irritable Bowel Syndrome
unlike with painful ulcer for which damage in the tissues of the intestines can
be seen.

Being a functional disorder, there can be no physical manifestations of the
disorder since everything lies in the abnormality of functions covered by the
digestive system itself, more specifically the colon. With Irritable Bowel
Syndrome in children as well as in adults, the colon muscles and nerves are
extra sensitive which means that any substance that can't be tolerated by the
muscles may cause adverse effects on the system itself.

Another factor that contributes to the lack of knowledge on the root cause of
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the varied clinical presentations of the patients.
Some may have diarrhea-dominated Irritable Bowel Syndrome while others have
constipation-dominated IBS. Each of which should be studied and treated
separately.

While the condition is more commonly prevalent among people aged 20 years and
above, it is likely that this can also be observed among children. However, the
symptoms are milder and usually manifests with minimal symptoms. Often,
aggravated diarrhea or constipation is mistakened for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
so it is important that once the child is observed with the signs of Irritable
Bowel Syndrome or any condition closely resembling IBS, doctor's assistance is
immediately sought.

The two main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome among children are
constipation and diarrhea (or the combination of both) and crampy sensation
within the abdominal area.

Diarrhea is the sudden change in the frequency of bowel movements. Often, this
is characterized with the sudden and uncontrollable urge to evacuate stool that
normally leads to incontinence. Diarrhea is also characterized with fluid-like
stool that are supposed to be easier to release. Incomplete evacuation may also
be felt and immediate expulsion is needed right after the first bowel movement.

For this case, parents are advised to assist in the whole process to avoid
complications. Diarrhea can lead to complications like dehydration or loss of
substantial water in the body. Please seek medical advice once this is observed.

Constipation, on the other hand, is the condition wherein there is a compaction
of stool means that the stool is too hard to pass through the anus. The
immediate treatment to is to add extra amount of dietary fiber in the food to
add bulk to the stool. If this is the primary sign for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
in your child, it is best to check if he has skipped bowel movements in the last
several days.

You need not be fearful of irritable bowel syndrome in your child. It does not
post direct threat to the general health of you kid since it is a chronic
condition. However, to avoid aggravated discomfort, it is best that he is
treated earlier.

The Seven Sins of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet

The Irritable bowel syndrome diet sets eating guidelines for people suffering
from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Adherence to the irritable bowel
syndrome diet is crucial because this will help prevent the symptoms of this
illness. However, there are instances when people fail to follow this diet
strictly. There are certain instances when some people merely forget that a
certain food can be bad for them.

There are seven specific areas in which people with irritable bowel syndrome
fail to follow their diets:

1) Coffee -- Coffee has become the heart of America today. No, a better term
would be coffee has become the lifeblood of America. This is the reason why
companies like Starbucks flourish in the United States. There's no denying how
much people today depend on coffee to fuel them for the day ahead.

However, did you know that coffee is a big "no-no" in the irritable bowel
syndrome diet? This is not merely due to the caffeine, since decaffeinated
coffee should also be avoided in the irritable bowel syndrome diet. Coffee
should be avoided because there is an enzyme found in it that can trigger the
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also an acidic drink which would
cause your irritable bowel syndrome symptoms to worsen.

2) Yogurt -- Since yogurt is promoted as being healthy for the digestive
system, most people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome forget to exclude
it from their diet. What people need to realize is that all dairy products must
be left out of the irritable bowel syndrome diet. This is because the proteins
whey and casein which are found inside yogurt and other dairy products are very
difficult to digest. This means that eating dairy products are likely to trigger
the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

3) Alcohol -- Just as people are inclined to drink coffee in the morning, they
are also inclined to consume alcohol in the evening. People say that alcohol
helps in relaxation, but some are puzzled by this statement. This is because
people also reason that they drink coffee to help them become alert. Does this
mean that people need help in everything that they do? But that's a question
for another day.

Alcohol should be excluded from irritable bowel syndrome because it irritates
your digestive tract, triggering symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome.

4) Vitamins -- Some people think that they should take vitamins in order to
avoid the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The truth is, however,
different vitamins affect the body in different ways. Some vitamins could sooth
the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some could aggravate it. The only
way to know for sure is to go consult your physician for some advice on which
vitamins to include in your irritable bowel syndrome diet. 5) Avoiding fruits
and vegetables -- People who know that these contain insoluble fiber avoid
fruits and vegetables because they think that these will trigger the symptoms
of irritable bowel syndrome.

However, you should realize that avoiding these foods could be akin to inviting
diseases into your body. It is true that foods containing insoluble fiber can
trigger your symptoms, but eating these foods with a quantity of soluble fiber
will be the best thing you can do.

6) Soluble fiber -- Some people neglect to take soluble fiber supplements. They
might think that these supplements will aggravate their symptoms simply because
soluble fiber is mainly advertised to be a laxative. However, people should
know that soluble fiber is a stabilizer, and should be included in the
irritable bowel syndrome diet to help you minimize the symptoms.

7) Soda -- Carbonated drinks should not be included in your irritable bowel
syndrome diet. These are not included in the advice to drink plenty of water.
This is because of the fact that carbonated drinks will definitely trigger your
irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Neuroendocrine System

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the condition by which the patients feel altered
bowel habits that can range from mild to serious states. There are no known
causes to Irritable Bowel Syndrome primarily because there are too many
complications in the subject and less priority is often given towards chronic
diseases that are not life threatening.

The disorder mainly affects the larger intestine, which is also popular with
the term colon. The symptoms are therefore rooted from this part and are
considered as a functional disorder. Meaning, the symptoms are not caused by
any physical problems but are triggered by improperly functioning intestinal
components which may flare up due to stress and reactions towards foods and
substances.

Recent research tells us that Irritable Bowel Syndrome often arise after the
symptoms of gastroenteritis subsides. Thus, there probably exist some
manifestations of physical damge on the intestinal wall that can explain much
of the symptoms.

The neuroendocrine system is the combination of interaction and interplay
between the endocrine system and the nerves that are basically covered by the
central nervous system.

Since stress is directly related with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, recent
researches sought to find answers by discovering the role of the neuroendocrine
system on the workings of the digestive system.

The neuroendocrine system plays as the control system for the internal state of
balance in the body. Therefore, it is linked closely with the rising of body's
stress level.

Chronic stress manifesting on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can
greatly affect the immune system. This then explains the low-grade inflammation
observed among Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients. Besides, stress is said to
either cause or aggravate Irritable Bowel Syndrome in most patients that's why
it is typically advised that they practice stress management to help suppress
symptoms of IBS.

Since stress is basically controlled by the hormonal secretion and balance in
the body, we can conclude that the nerve cells and the endocrine system is at
work in suppressing the symptoms and in bringing back the balance. Hormones are
helpful in manipulating the levels of chemicals and specific fluids in the body
and thus, assist us in responding and coping up with any situation posed by the
environment.

Neuroendocrine tumors, on the other hand, are tumors that begin from
neuroendocrine cells. These are the specialized cells responsible for the
production of hormones. Neuroendocrine cells are components of the network of
glands that we collectively call as neuroendocrine system.

While these may be found in other parts of the human body, no other part has
the largest number of neuroendocrine tumors than the digestive system. These
are thought of as the culprits of several symptoms associated with Irritable
Bowel Syndrome such as diarrhea, wheezing and flushing of the skin. However,
not all neuroendocrine tumors act as hormone producers. Only those that are
termed to as "functioning" can secret hormones while those that are incapable
of this function are called as non-hormone secreting or non-functioning.

Hormones and the neuroendocrine system are thought to have a number of effects
on the symptoms and states of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. However, due to lack of
research on this issue, many possibilities are yet to be uncovered.

Many researchers are hopeful that once the pieces of the puzzle are put
together, cures for Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be found. But as for now,
there is not enough substantial information that can deliver us final
treatments towards this syndrome.

Why There are Lacks of Treatment on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the condition characterized by the abnormality of
activities in the colon or the larger intestine. Since it is a syndrome, there
are no exact causes as to why this condition arises. It is also marked with the
combination of symptoms that are closely associated with the intestinal tract.

While it may be common among Americans (15% of the general population is
affected with mild to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrom), there are not enough
studies to find the roots of this disorder. However, it is well understood that
it is a functional disorder, which gives justification as to why it was first
termed to as a psychological disease.

Functional disorder is the state where there is no actual physical or
anatomical complications presented during examination. However, this does not
negate the presence of the disorder. Only, the problem lies in the abnormality
of functions the colon presents.

This implies that either the nerves or the muscles involved in the intestinal
activities don't function in ways they should. The nerves though go beyond
those that are found in the digestive system. The spinal chord and the brain
themselves are also involved.

There are various terms that are used in exchange for Irritable Bowel Syndrom.
Some of which are spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis and others. It
must be cleared though that these are far different from the actual condition as
described for Irritable Bowel Syndrom.

Since the medical community has no comprehensive reports on the known causes of
Irritable Bowel Syndrom, it is likely that there exists no cure on the disorder.
The only best measure that's left is the treatment of the symptoms to suppress
the aggravation or the pain that is caused by the attacks.

The treatment though for Irritable Bowel Syndrom is often a unsatisfying and
difficult topic since there are too few drugs that were studied for effectivity
towards the treatment. Additionally, the drugs that had been studied show too
little substantial use due to a number of reasons.

There is lack in our understanding of the disease since it is not actually a
life threatening disorder. It has been observed that only those conditions that
post immediate therat on the life of the patients have been given enough
significance to be considered worthy of the research. For Irritable Bowel
Syndrom, there is not enough research funding to help facilitate our
comprehension towards the disease.

Add to this the fact that it deals more on subjective states (such as pain).
Subjective factors are less reliable than objective ones for there is no
quantifiable data that researchers can build their findings on.

The presence of subtypes furthers result to difficulties of finding viable
treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Subtypes such as constipation-dominant
IBS or Diarrhea-dominant IBS are known to have varying physiological roots.
Therefore, the possibility that one drug will work for one patient and will
fail to another is high.

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrom deals more on subjective factors, it is at high
risk with reacting to placebos, that is responses to inactive drugs. In fact,
studies present that 1/3 of all IBS patients respond positively on inactive
drugs.

The bottom line though is the lack of understanding on the physiological
processes involved in IBS. Thus, proper treatment cannot be directed on the
mechanisms associated to it.

The Effects of Vitamins for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person. There
are people who experience symptoms of diarrhea with their irritable bowel
syndrome while there are some people who experience constipation. Because of
this, there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome.
Vitamins generally cause chemical reactions in the stomach and these reactions
can either be beneficial or harmful to a person's IBS. Here are some common
effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Vitamin C -- Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a laxative
effect. People should be careful in taking this vitamin for irritable bowel
syndrome as it can cause diarrhea when it reaches the stomach. People already
suffering from symptoms of diarrhea should monitor their intake of vitamin C
very closely.

Taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome may also cause gas and
bloating. This occurs when the acid of the vitamin reacts with the alkaline
setting of the lower intestinal tract. You can try to observe this reaction by
dropping a couple of mentos on a glass of diet coke.

2) Calcium -- This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can have either a
laxative or constipating effect on a person, depending on the type. People
suffering from IBS should try to discover hat type of calcium is right for them:

a) Calcium carbonate -- This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains no
magnesium and can relieve symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best vitamin for
irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to diarrhea (IBS-D).

b) Calcium citrate -- This type of vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome
contains magnesium and thus, can trigger symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best
for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to
constipation (IBS-C).

A good advice to follow when taking calcium vitamins for irritable bowel
syndrome is to keep the amount at a maximum of 500 mg. This is in order to
prevent triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good idea
to take this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome with vitamin D as this helps
in the absorption of these nutrients.

3) Iron -- This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can be quite constipating.
People taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to
stomach upsets. It is also a known fact that Iron interferes with the
absorption of calcium.

Tips in taking vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Try to get balanced doses of your vitamins -- When buying supplements, make
sure that those supplements deliver the right amounts of vitamins you need. It
is important that a certain supplement does not contain a megadose of any
vitamin as this could trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Always take your vitamins with food -- It is important that you not take
your vitamins on an empty stomach. Doing so could increase the discomfort
brought about by the chemical reactions caused by the vitamins. This is
especially true with acidic vitamins like vitamin C.

3) Consult a pharmacist -- Remember that there are different effects of
vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. If you are unsure regarding which
vitamin supplement to take, you should get help from a pharmacist in finding
the mildest vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome.

4) Take separate vitamins separately -- Vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome
also react in various ways with each other. For the best absorption of
nutrients, you should try taking vitamins one type at a time.

Common Irritable Bowel Symptoms - 1

Irritable bowel syndrome is an illness that can interfere with a person's
everyday life. Although it is non-fatal, sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome
find that the symptoms that they feel can cause a huge amount of stress on
their lives. Irritable bowel syndrome is an illness that should be identified
in its early stages so that a person would be able to take action more quickly.
This is because of the fact that irritable bowel syndrome does take some getting
used to. Irritable bowel symptoms should be familiar to people so that they can
do this.

What are common irritable bowel symptoms?

Well, during the early years of this disease, it was not really known if there
were any common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. In the past, people who
had irritable bowel syndrome were diagnosed under different diseases. As a
result of this, few people received the right treatment for them. Thankfully
enough, a group of specialists have now established a certain set of standards
to see if a person is suffering from any irritable bowel symptoms.

The ROME I, II and III criteria now form the basis for judging whether what a
person is feeling constitutes irritable bowel symptoms. Under the ROME II
criteria, patients with irritable bowel syndrome would be diagnosed based on 12
weeks of data. Those 12 weeks are taken out of the previous year in the
patient's life. In those twelve weeks, patients who have irritable bowel
syndrome suffer from abdominal pain which:

1) could be relieved by defecation 2) accompanied with change in stool
frequency 3) accompanied with change in stool appearance

In this case, change in stool frequency, would be "abnormal". What does this
mean? Well, it would either be more than 3 times a day or less than 3 times a
week. When a person experiences a sudden abnormality in his or her stool, then
it could be an irritable bowel symptom.

The fact that this may confuse some people is completely understandable. This
is because people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome experience two types
of irritable bowel symptoms:

1) Diarrhea -- This irritable bowel symptom constitutes having to defecate more
frequently than normal. The stools could be watery in form and could sometimes
be accompanied by mucus.

2) Constipation -- This irritable bowel symptom constitutes having a hard time
defecating mainly because the stool is hard and lumpy. These irritable bowel
symptoms often make life very uncomfortable for people who suffer from this
illness. It is often the case that people who suffer these irritable bowel
symptoms absent themselves from work.

Another common irritable bowel symptom is having gas. This is when you feel
bloated in the abdominal area. Often, this gas can be released through breaking
wind.

Of course, a patient does not need to have all of these irritable bowel
symptoms in order to be diagnosed with the illness. It is often the case that
different tests are used on a patient in order to determine whether
experiencing these irritable bowel symptoms does constitute having the illness.

Knowing the different irritable bowel symptoms is important because people who
experience these symptoms need to consult with experts quickly. This is in
order to help them prevent this illness from greatly affecting their
lifestyles. By understanding these irritable bowel symptoms, people are able to
stop these symptoms from controlling their lives.

Common Irritable Bowel Symptoms - 2

Diarrhea, the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel

There are a number of symptoms that characterize Irritable Bowel Movement. Most
patients display mild symptoms while some have more serious forms. The good
thing though with irritable bowel movement is that while it may vary from mild
to severe, it would not advance to more serious intestinal diseases such as
colitis or cancer. This is due to the absence of inflammation in the intestinal
muscles and a number of other aggravating conditions.

Symptoms vary from intensity to frequency. However, among the most prominent
symptoms that occur in nearly all cases is diarrhea and constipation or an
alternation between the two.

Constipation is either characterized with loose and watery stool. However, it
may also be that the stool is too compacted which prevents the release from the
anus.

Meanwhile, diarrhea is the condition of increased frequency in bowel movement.
It is also marked with incontinence of stool which is similar to inability to
control or delay bowel movement. There are also sudden strong urges for bowel
movement which if not immediately addressed will result to incontinence.
Incomplete evacuation is also felt wherein the person feels the need for a
second bowel movement immediately after the first one. The succeeding ones
though will be more difficult to expel.

There are some conditions that are related with diarrhea. To be able to define
it clearly, let us site into the common symptoms that diarrhea has.

Inconsistency of stools. This basis alone can not be an absolute definition for
diarrhea. Judging by the fact that our diet affects the hardness or softness of
our stool, we cannot solely rely on this judgement in determining if we are
affected with the condition.

People who eat lots of vegetables, fruits and fibers normally have looser
stools while those who don't have harder ones. Liquid-like stools though which
are beyond normal stools are considered diarrheal.

Frequency of bowel movement. There is no fixed numbers of bowel movement per
week that would justify the normality of bowel movement. Three in a day is
normal while three times a week, depending on the habit of a person may also be
considered normal. Below that bar will signify the irregularity of bowel
movement. Nevertheless, half of the general population practices the
one-time-a-day habit as "regular clean-up".

But it is known that among healthy people, the maximum number of bowel
movements is five times a day. Therefor, once they exceed this number then that
would only be the moment that they can be considered to have diarrhea.

Diarrhea develops from abnormal rate of water content in the stool. For normal
digestion, food is kept in liquid form through the help of water secretion from
the upper small intestines, stomach gallbladder and the pancreas. Undigested
foods then reach the small and the large intestines in liquid form.

The lower small intestine will then absorb the water from the undigested food,
which will then turn this into a less watery substance with form.

However due to a number of reasons, this process do not occur with diarrhea. It
may be due to the over secretion of water from the distal end of the small
intestine, efficient absorption does not occur, or the undigested or digested
food pass the small and large intestine too quickly that there is not enough
time for them to remove the water from the stool.

Diarrhea, in general, contributes largely to the development and worsening of
Irritable Bowel Movement. Knowing the nature of this condition will help
facilitate cure both for the symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the
disorder itself.

Irritable Bowel Diet - 1

Some Tips to Maintain a Proper Irritable Bowel Diet

A lot of people today are suffering from the illness known as Irritable bowel
syndrome. Although irritable bowel syndrome is not fatal, this illness often
changes people's lifestyles drastically. This is because the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome call for immediate attention when it is experienced.
One way of controlling these symptoms is through a proper irritable bowel diet.
Some people may say that "irritable bowel diet" sounds a bit dodgy. So let's try
to give it another name. How about diet for irritable bowel syndrome? It may be
a mouthful, but it is okay for the ears.

People suffering from irritable bowel syndrome have these observations about
food:

1) Some foods will definitely trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Because of the knowledge that specific foods would definitely make their illness
more uncomfortable, people learn how to avoid them.

2) Some foods okay to eat. People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome try
to find foods that do not trigger the symptoms of the illness. People who are
able to find such foods do try to substitute these foods for the ones that they
had to give up.

3) Some foods are unpredictable. There are instance when eating a certain food
will trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, there are
instances when eating that same food will have no effect at all. People who
experience this are left confused and they instantly think that they can rely
on luck to help them eat a specific food without feeling anything.

Because of the third category, people are often reluctant to try and find the
irritable bowel diet that's right for them. This is also compounded by the fact
that most people have been advised to try and find their personalized irritable
bowel diet.

However, people need to understand that there are generic rules that they can
follow in finding the right diet for irritable bowel syndrome. These tips will
definitely help you find the irritable bowel diet that's right for you:

1) Soluble fiber -- Soluble fiber helps stabilize activities in your gut and
prevents both constipation and diarrhea. Some people are reluctant to add
soluble fiber to their irritable bowel diets because of the fact that soluble
fiber is continually advertised to be a type of laxative. However, you should
realize that soluble fiber will stabilize the symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome.

2) Eliminate these foods from your diet:

a) High fat b) Alcohol c) caffeine d) red meat e) dairy f) carbonated

If the food falls under one of those categories, do not eat it. It's not worth
the pain.

3) Make eating fun. Do not think of an irritable bowel diet as a prison which
confines you. Think of it as your personal universe. Try to arrange and
rearrange the different items in your irritable bowel diet to suit your mood.
Think of ways you can substitute different foods for the ones that you had to
give up. Remember that it is no use to think about the food that you cannot
have and such thoughts will only lead you to despair.

4) If you are not sure about a specific food, then do not eat it. You cannot
rely on luck to help you cope with the effects of Irritable bowel syndrome.
Before you eat something that is not a part of your irritable bowel diet, ask
yourself this question: "will the taste of this food be worth the pain of my
illness?"

Irritable Bowel Diet - 2

Important Facts on Irritable Bowel Diet

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is considered to be a common disorder affecting
the intestines. Common symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, gas, cramping
and certain abnormalities in bowel habits. Constipation is very common for some
Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients while others tend to experience diarrhea.
Still there are some that experience both. Eating fiber rich food can help
control IBS symptoms however it should be introduced to the body little by
little since it may trigger IBS symptoms.

It may also help if Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients may indulge in a
low-fat/high fiber diet this can help them in eliminating constipation. Twenty
to thirty-five grams of fiber included in daily diet can help control IBS
symptoms.

Fiber-Rich Foods and Plenty of Fluids You can find fibers in grains
particularly bran, cereals, fruits, whole-grain breads and vegetables.
Similarly there are also foods that are high in soluble fibers like peas, beans
and oats that were also find out to help control constipation and diarrhea.

A word of advice for IBS patients: Always read food labels especially when
purchasing cereals and breads make sure that they are made from whole-grain or
whole-wheat. Similarly for meat dishes make sure that you add fibers like
kidney beans, oatmeal, bran pinto beans, black-eyed peas and kidney beans. If
you are to purchase ready to eat cereals make sure that it contain at least
five grams of fibers.

In case of gas pain you may also purchase over the counter anti-gas pills. And
of course don't forget to drink lots of fluids. If you can follow the
recommended eight glasses of liquid per day then so much the better. In terms
of fluids you may take in water, fruit juices and even decaf drinks.

Likewise, take note of the instances where you usually experience IBS symptoms.
Keep a record of the food that you take in during that time and try not to eat
them again. If you can keep a food diary to help you in controlling your IBS
then do so.

If you are used to eating large servings of foods per meal then divide it into
smaller meals instead. Drinking multi-vitamins as well as mineral supplement
especially those with one hundred percent US prescribed (RDI or recommended
daily intake) may also help in controlling IBS. But just like any type of
medication it is important that you consult your doctor or your dietitian
before taking in any medication. Same when taking in fiber supplement it is
vital that you consult a doctor.

To avoid eating more try to eat your food slowly to digest the food well. Try
to enjoy your food. And also refrain from drinking caffeinated and alcoholic
beverages since they may cause diarrhea.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Flare-ups IBS flare-ups calls for a low-fiber/low
residue diet especially if it involves diarrhea. There are certain types of
foods that tend to loosen up stools. Try to avoid these types of foods
especially if you have diarrhea.

You may try to choose a different type of food or you may even adjust food
temperature to help you in relieving diarrhea. These suggestions are not
guaranteed to work in the same way for all IBS patients. Some may find relief
while others may not. Just to be sure try to consult your doctors always before
trying out some new methods to control your IBS symptoms.

Alternative Healing for Irritable Bowels

Irritable bowels can be quite disturbing to the pace of life. Although it is
not fatal, the fact that it is incurable can be hell on a person's lifestyle.
This is because the symptoms associated with irritable bowels are quite
uncomfortable and often need the immediate attention of a person.

People sometimes turn to modern medicines in order to relieve the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. However, some people prefer to go the alternative
ways and use traditional healing in order to rid themselves of the discomfort
caused by irritable bowels. Here are some types of alternative healing being
used by people today:

1) Acupuncture -- This art is based on the knowledge of life energy known as Qi
(pronounced as chi). It is said that a blockage or imbalance in one's Qi can
cause various illnesses in a person. Acupuncturists attempt to remove this
blockage through the use of small needles. The needles are used to stimulate
various pressure points in a person's body. This stimulation then makes it
possible for a person's Qi to become balanced.

Acupuncture is also used to relieve stress and induce relaxation in an
individual. Some people may wonder how sticking needles into one's body can
relieve stress and pain. However, the procedure is actually painless. This is
because the needles used in acupuncture are too small to actually cause pain to
nerves. However, if you are queasy about needles, you could always turn to
acupressure. Acupressure stimulates nerves and pressure points through
specialized massage and not needles.

2) Herbalism -- Many people have found that certain herbs can be very
beneficial in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. There are two
main forms of herbs that are used in treating symptoms of irritable bowels:

a) Teas -- Herbs are often boiled or steeped in hot water to make teas. The
process of steeping the different herbs in hot water releases various enzymes
and nutrients that are needed to soothe the symptoms of irritable bowels. Thus,
when a person drinks the tea, he or she is assured to get the nutrients that he
or she needs from the various herbs. It is often the case that different types
of herbs are used in making a type of tea. This could be to improve the
efficacy of the tea or to improve the flavor.

b) Capsules -- Several types of herbs are also taken in the form of capsules.
These capsules may either contain the essential nutrients of a certain herb or
it could contain the essential oils of various plants.

Why do they need to be encapsulated? Well, oil can be very irritating to the
digestive system. It can trigger the symptoms of irritable bowels even before
it reaches the stomach. By coating the herbs in a capsule, the nutrients would
be able to pass through the stomach and work its effects on the intestine. In
this way, it can help relieve the symptoms without causing an irritation.

3) Hypnosis -- It said that the state of a person's mind can affect irritable
bowels. Some people undergo hypnosis in order to help them find the proper
mindset and so they can control the symptoms of irritable bowels. Hypnosis is
used to try and control a person's subconscious and allows him or her to
release stress. This treatment is recommended for people who have mild cases of
irritable bowel syndrome.

Some Things You Need to Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome often comes with a stigma. Although it is a natural
process of the body, people are sort of squeamish about any type of syndrome
that involves the bowels. This is probably the reason why people with irritable
bowel syndrome rarely go to consult a physician. Some would just prefer to go
online and try to solve their problems by consulting anonymously with other
people.

This can be an effective method for dealing with some of the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is highly recommended that people with
this illness should consult a physician in order to ensure their proper
treatment.

What are the causes of irritable bowel syndrome? Technically, the causes of
irritable bowel syndrome are still unknown. Irritable bowel syndrome is
considered as a functional disorder. This means that although there is nothing
wrong with the physiology of your intestine, it does not function the way it is
supposed to.

Although it has no known causes, the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can
be triggered by different factors.

One of the main factors that trigger irritable bowel syndrome is stress. It is
often said that irritable bowel syndrome is a psychosomatic disease. This means
that the mind has a lot to do with how the syndrome affects the body. The
connection between stress and digestion is no mystery to people with heartburn
or hyperacidity. Stress often causes an overproduction peptic acid in the
stomach. This is the reason why people under severe stress at work such as
executives often develop hyperacidity.

Practically the same thing happens with irritable bowel syndrome. Stress
triggers a chemical reaction within the digestive system. This, of course, can
trigger symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Another factor that affects the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome is food.
Different types of food can have varying effects on the symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome. Some could be beneficial and could help relieve the symptoms of
the illness. Others can only make the symptoms much worse.

People with irritable bowel syndrome can classify food into three different
categories:

1) It doesn't affect the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

2) It triggers symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

3) Unsure (Sometimes it benefits, but sometimes it triggers symptoms) It is
important to consult with an expert in order to find out which foods you can
consume without worrying. An expert can help you pick out which foods would be
beneficial to your case of irritable bowel syndrome.

There are various types of treatments of irritable bowel syndrome. One
treatment, as implied earlier is adhering to a diet. There are also medicines
available today that could reduce the symptoms experienced by a person with
this illness.

Another type of treatment that people turn to is alternative healing. People
who want to relieve the different symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome often
turn to alternative types of medicine because they may feel that it is more
effective than common medicines used today. An example of alternative medicine
is acupuncture. People who want to relieve the abdominal pain caused by
irritable bowel syndrome often turn to acupuncture to relieve the pain. This is
because acupuncture triggers certain nerves in order to numb some types of pain
in the body. It also clears the passage of Qi through your body and promotes a
balance of your energy.

What Comprise an Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet?

An irritable bowel syndrome is a type of disorder that exhibits symptoms like
bloating, constipation, cramping, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The most harm
that IBS can do is to cause great distress and discomfort although it may have
some effect on the intestines; but it's not something to worry about since it
will not lead to severe illness such as cancer.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS can be controlled through diet and medications.
At least twenty percent of the American adult population is suffering from IBS
making this disorder common in the US. Surprisingly, IBS is more rampant among
women and begins earlier than age 35 but of course this doesn't mean that men
are not affected because they too suffer IBS.

The Cause of IBS The cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is yet to be discovered
but there are theories developed stating that most of the people that are
affected by IBS have colons that react or are sensitive to certain types of
foods and even to stress. Furthermore it is also believed that the immune
system is also involved in causing IBS.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome is believed to be
associated with how the colon reacts to foods and stress there are IBS diet
developed to help those who are affected with this disorder. It is a common
notion that once a diet is intended to suppress certain disorder it is not
tasty or delicious. And it is for this same reason that people failed to
continue with their dietary treatment. But not Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet
recipes because they are made delicious and guaranteed to control IBS.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet includes drinks, appetizers, side dishes,
salads, main dishes, desserts and many more. There are also recipes that
include traditional and even international recipes to suit various taste. If
there are recipes or foods allowed or advised for IBS patients there are also
foods that needs to be avoided. And some of them include fatty foods like
America's favorite French fries, some milk products like cheese and ice cream,
alcohol, coffee, sodas and chocolate. These types of foods often worsen IBS and
should be avoided at all cost.

However it should be noted that aside from the abovementioned foods there are
still other types that may worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So it is very
important for an IBS patient to specially take note of the food that they take
in.

The best diet to control IBS is to eat foods that are rich in fiber since it
soften stool making it easier to bowel out. There are lots of food sources
where one can get fibers such as bread, fruits, bread, beans, cereal and
vegetables. However, make sure to slowly include fiber in your diet just to
help your body to get accustomed to it and to prevent gas pain that may induce
IBS symptoms.

Aside from food there are also fiber pills, which IBS patients may take and
mixed it with a certain type of powder to create a high-fiber mixture.

The Quantity of Food Intake Matters The amount of food that an IBS patient
takes in can also trigger IBS symptoms. Large intake of food can often cause
cramps as well as diarrhea especially for IBS patients. The best way to prevent
such is to eat less each meal. And if ever IBS symptoms still persist consult
your doctor right away.

Spotting Trouble: Knowing Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome can be quite hard to identify if you do not know what
to look for. This is mainly because of the fact that irritable bowel syndrome
has a lot of different symptoms. The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel
syndrome vary from person to person, which means that certain criteria are
needed for proper diagnosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

This question cannot be answered simply by giving you a generic list. As said
before, the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from person to
person and this means that irritable bowel syndrome cannot be generalized into
a set of syndromes. Here are the different classifications of irritable bowel
syndrome and their symptoms:

1) Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) -- This type of irritable
bowel syndrome is characterized by these signs and symptoms:

a) Urgency in defecating -- People suffering from this type of irritable bowel
syndrome often need to hurry when they have to defecate. This irritable bowel
syndrome sign and symptom can be very inconvenient especially if a person is
working.

b) Wet/loose stool -- This means that the stool the person is evacuating from
the body has excessive water content. The stool could be very loose or even
kind of liquid.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency -- A person suffering from IBS-D has to move his or
her bowels more than 3 times a day. This can cause a person to be dehydrated so
a person experiencing this sign should make sure to drink lots of water.

2) Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) -- These are the
irritable bowel syndrome signs and symptoms to look for in this illness:

a) Straining to defecate -- A person suffering from this illness often has
difficulty moving his or her bowels. It is often the case when the person has
to make a huge effort in order to evacuate stool from his or her body. In some
cases, there could be pain during bowel movement.

b) Hard/lumpy stool -- Having hard, dry or lumpy stool is a common sign and
symptom of having irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. This is because
the digestive process may not include enough water in the digestion to make the
stool softer and easier to evacuate.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency -- A person suffering from IBS-C is often unable to
defecate more than 3 times a week. An abnormal frequency in defecation could be
dangerous as it could cause toxins to build up in the digestive tract.

3) Irritable bowel syndrome alternating (IBS-A) -- This is characterized by
alternating signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This can be very
hard on the person as he or she needs to constantly adjust his or her diet in
order to accommodate the symptoms.

There are common signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:

Abdominal pain -- People with irritable bowel syndrome often experience mild to
severe pain in their abdominal area. This is a symptom triggered by eating
various types of foods or even stress. It is often the case that this irritable
bowel syndrome sign and symptom would be relieved as soon as a person defecates.

Sudden change in bowel frequency -- This irritable bowel syndrome symptom could
either be an increase in the frequency of defecation or it could mean a decrease
in bowel frequency.

Looking for Irritable Bowel Symdrome: Common Causes of Spelling Errors During
Web Searches

People today make use of different websites to look for information they want
on the web. Using these sites, they can just key in the information that they
desire and the search engine or web directory will list the different websites
that contain such information. In this search, some mistakes can occur. One of
the most common mistakes that people make during web searches is the spelling
error. People sometimes end up looking for "irritable bowel symdrome" instead
of irritable bowel syndrome. As a result, they are often directed to different
web pages which contain none of the information that they desire.

What are the underlying causes for searches involving "irritable bowel
symdrome"?

1) No knowledge of the proper spelling -- Some people may be mistakenly
searching for "irritable bowel symdrome" because they do not know the proper
spelling if the word syndrome. This can be due to a lot of things:

a) First encounter of the word -- Some people are unfamiliar with the proper
spelling of a word because they may not have encountered that term before.
Because they do not know the proper spelling of the word, they can't really try
to look it up in the dictionary, can they? A good advice for people encountering
unfamiliar words is to try and use the spelling and grammar checks of different
word processing softwares available today. Often, just a simple click on a
typographical error will show you the proper spelling of a word.

b) Mishearing -- Most words in the English language are spelled the same way
that they are pronounced. Because of this, most people rely on their hearing to
learn about the spellings of different words. Thus, when a person mispronounces
a term such as "irritable bowel symdrome", people who have never heard that
word before automatically assume that it is spelled just like that. One good
advice to remedy this is to double-check with other people before you believe
what others state as facts.

2) Mistakes -- There are also cases when people make honest mistakes, despite
knowing the proper spelling of irritable bowel syndrome. There are several
reasons for making typographical errors:

a) Slip of the finger -- Since the keys "m" and "n" are placed beside each
other on the keyboard, it does not really take much effort to make an inference
that the n of "irritable bowel syndrome" could be replaced with an m, resulting
in "irritable bowel symdrome". It could also be hard to detect on search pages
since not all search sites really check the spelling of a keyword.

b) In a rush -- The most common reason for typographical errors is rushing.
Many people who use the internet to search for information are in a rush to get
results. Because of this, they are often careless with their spelling. Thus,
errors such as searching for "irritable bowel symdrome" occur.

What people need to realize is that we are not perfect. That is the reason why
there is a "delete" key on the keyboard. We make mistakes all the time. While
some mistakes like searching for "irritable bowel symdrome" may seem
ridiculous, they are a natural part of life. There are two things we can do
about mistakes: either shrug them off or learn from them. For the sake of the
improvement, let us hope that we all choose to do the latter.

Finding Information on "Irritable Bowel, Vomit and Taste of Bile" on the
Internet

People make use of the internet to access a wide variety of information. This
is because the internet today is probably the largest resource of information
available anywhere. It also provides information very quickly, allowing a
person to gain knowledge about something unfamiliar quickly.

These are the reasons why some people make use of the internet to interpret
different symptoms that they are experiencing. Some people, for example may
experience irritable bowels, vomit and a taste of bile. Searching on the
internet for the implications of these symptoms can give them a clear view of
what exactly they are experiencing. This helps them act faster with regards to
their illness.

There are several benefits when you search for information on symptoms such as
irritable bowel and vomit and taste of bile on the internet. Here are some of
them:

1) Speed -- The main advantage of the internet over other sources of
information is speed. People who go to the internet searching for information
on symptoms such as irritable bowel and vomit and taste of bile can often get
results in a matter of seconds. Speed is very important as an illness is best
treated when it is discovered early. Through the internet, people can search
for information on symptoms such as irritable bowel and vomit and taste of bile
as soon as they experience those symptoms. This gives them the opportunity to
take the initiative and get help early.

2) Comprehensiveness -- The information contained on the internet is not
limited by space. Because of this, a person can find a virtually limitless
amount of information on symptoms such as irritable bowel and vomit and taste
of bile using this technology.

While some books may only offer overviews of the illnesses that can be
associated with those symptoms, the internet can offer different types of
information on those illnesses and can suggest different treatments to be used
in relieving those symptoms. The internet can offer a comprehensive view of
each illness such as the history, current trends and contact information of
physicians specializing in such cases.

3) Up to date -- People often go to the internet to search for information on
symptoms such as irritable bowel and vomit and taste of bile because they find
that the internet is always up to date on such information. This means that
people can be assured that the advice and information that they will be getting
through the internet is still relevant to their current condition.

This is very important since obsolete information on health can be very
damaging. A person who follows an obsolete advice could be doing more harm than
good to him or her self.

4) Support -- The main purpose of the internet is connection. This technology
is designed to show people that they are not alone. When a person looks for
information on symptoms such as irritable bowel and vomit and taste of bile, it
is often the case that he or she needs to feel the support f other people. This
is provided by the internet through different forums, chat rooms, and the like.
A person looking on the internet for information on symptoms such as irritable
bowel and vomit and taste of bile can not only find the information that he or
she needs, but also the fact that he or she is not alone in experiencing these
symptoms.

Some Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is an illness that people know very little
about. In fact, it was only in 1992 that a standard set of symptoms used to
diagnose this illness was established. Here are certain facts about irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) that you should know about:

1) It is not fatal -- Many people need to be assured of the fact that they
cannot die from irritable bowel syndrome. This is because of the fact that the
first thing that comes out of most doctors mouths when they examine a patient
with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the fact that the illness is incurable.

This, of course, upsets the patient and would make him or her think that he or
she could die from irritable bowel syndrome. This is not true.

2) Not as uncommon as you think -- About 10 -20 percent of the population today
suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People just attach such a stigma to
any illness involving the bowels that those who experience irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) do not really have inclinations to talk about it. In fact,
almost all of the people suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome are surprised
when they realize that they are not alone in their problems.

3) Its cause is still unknown -- The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is
still unknown. However, it has been established that the symptoms of this
illness can be triggered by different things. Although there is no cure for
irritable bowel syndrome, there are several things which a person can do to
lessen the impacts of the symptoms.

Technically, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is termed as a functional disorder.
This means that it is because of an abnormality in the way the body functions.
This means that the physical structure of the body is the same, but it just
works differently. One question that still baffles many people is, "how exactly
does it work differently?"

4) There are various and seemingly contradicting symptoms -- Many people expect
this type of illness to be diagnosed using a standard set of symptoms. This
means that many people expect to see the same set of symptoms in people
suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, you should realize that
each case of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be different in symptoms. Some
people experience diarrhea while others may experience constipation. Only after
a series of tests can a physician truly say that a person has irritable bowel
syndrome.

5) Your diet affects it -- Since irritable bowel syndrome mostly affects the
digestive process, it is the case that what you eat can affect how you feel.
When eating, remember that you need to have lots of soluble fiber. This helps
stabilize your digestive process and prevent both diarrhea and constipation.
You should also try to avoid these foods:

a) High- fat b) Alcohol c) Carbonated Drinks d) Coffee (even decaffeinated
coffee is not good) e) Dairy Products (even for those without lactose
intolerance)

6) Not all types of fiber can help with it -- There are different articles
circulating around the web that promote eating different foods with fiber. They
often cite fruits and vegetables as examples of what a person suffering from
irritable bowel disease (IBS) should eat plenty of. However, people should
realize the fact that these contain insoluble fiber that could worsen the
symptoms of the illness. What people need to do is to take soluble fiber
supplements together with these foods in order to balance the activity in the
stomach.

Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome the Natural way

Medications are not the only way to control Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.
There are also natural means that can help in curing IBS. Unlike any other type
of illness such as cancer, brain tumors and others, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is
not as severe but the discomfort that
it causes patients is enough to disrupt their social lives.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder that affects a great number of
Americans. As a matter of fact approximately ten to fifteen percent or more of
the Americans population is suffering from IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
affects the intestines and the stomach. Other terms used to refer to IBS are as
follows: mucous colitis, nervous stomach, spastic colon, spastic colitis or
irritable colon.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is often classified as a functional disorder, which
means that it is a primary abnormality that affects the physiological function
of the body. It simply cannot be diagnosed in a traditional manner such as
blood test, x-ray and others. Why? Because IBS is a complicated disorder
wherein symptoms are not clearly defined whether they are caused by the
malfunctioning intestines or gut or by the autonomic nervous system that seems
to alter the regulation of bowel motility or the sensory function.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain
and others. These discomforts are caused by changes in the bowel pattern. There
are various treatments available that involves medication, diet and some natural
means.

Colonic Massage, Mind/Body Healing and Fiber-rich Foods There are natural ways
of controlling IBS symptoms such as colonic massage and mind/body healing. For
the colonic massage you can perform this while sitting on the toilet or while
lying down and bending your knees. Try to make a fist using your right hand and
gently massage your colon by creating circular, digging motion with your
knuckles.

Begin with the lower right quadrant of your abdomen and then work up making
circular motion under the right side of your ribcage. Do the same with the left
quadrant of your abdomen and try to massage your groin or pubic bone. The main
objective of this exercise is to induce bowel movement plus it also helps in
relieving colic in newborns since it force out gas as well as stool. But
remember for newborns minimal force should be applied when doing this exercise.

You must be wondering why apply mind/body healing to control Irritable Bowel
Syndrome? IBS often cause emotional and mental stress, which often aggravates
symptoms. So in order to control IBS it is very important that patients be
encouraged to sick out therapies that make use of somato-emotional release.

The somato(or body)-emotional release is rooted on the belief that trauma is
sometimes stored in the tissues of the body and not just in the mind or soul of
patients. These traumas need to be eliminated in order for healing to happen.
There are various somato-emotional release therapies available that patients
can choose from such as craniosacral, reiki, acupuncture and other types of
energy healing exercises.

Eating fiber-rich food is also a natural way of controlling IBS. However make
sure that you include fiber in your diet little by little since abrupt
consumption of fiber may cause gas and may trigger symptoms of IBS. Likewise,
it would also help if you would try to take note of foods that you eat. List
those foods that trigger IBS symptoms in you and avoid eating them.

The Connection Between Foods & Irritable Bowel Syndrome

There's a common misconception that says foods cause irritable bowel syndrome.
It says that the main connection between foods & irritable bowel syndrome is
the fact that the illness is caused by eating certain foods. However, this is
not true. Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder which means that
the illness lies in the function of your bowels and not in the food that you
eat. In fact, there is still no known cause of irritable bowel syndrome.

This leaves us with the question: what exactly is the connection between foods
& irritable bowel syndrome?

First of all, even though foods are not the cause of irritable bowel syndrome,
certain foods will trigger its symptoms. This includes abdominal pains,
diarrhea or constipation, and sudden changes in stool frequency. Here are foods
that can trigger these symptoms:

1) Foods with high fat-content -- A person suffering from irritable bowel
syndrome should try to keep the fat content of his or her food below 25
percent. This is because fat is simply the best (or worst) stimulant of
digestion. When fat is introduced into your stomach, it immediately triggers
your colon to start contracting. Since irritable bowel syndrome has more to do
with the function of the intestines, this sort of reaction will trigger the
symptoms of this illness.

2) Coffee -- Don't think that this does not include decaf! Many people do not
know that decaf coffee still contains an enzyme that can irritate the gut.
However, drinking regular coffee can be even worse, as caffeine is also an
irritant. Put plainly, drinking coffee if you have irritable bowel syndrome
would be akin to inviting pain into your life.

3) Alcohol -- This is actually okay in small amounts like the amount used for
cooking. However, it can be a very effective irritant especially if it is drunk
on an empty stomach.

This, of course is not the sole connection between foods & irritable bowel
syndrome. If there are foods that trigger irritable bowel syndrome, there are
also foods that help minimize the symptoms.

Try eating foods with high soluble fiber content. Eating this type of food
would aid the proper digestion of food. Some people are put off by the idea of
eating soluble fiber mainly because it is said to be a laxative. However,
soluble fiber is actually more of a stabilizer. It helps prevent both diarrhea
and constipation.

People often tend to see the negative side of a relationship such as that
between foods & irritable bowel syndrome. However, it should be stated that
food per se will not trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. A person
with irritable bowel syndrome only needs to find the right types of food in
order to minimize the symptoms of this illness. Foods & irritable bowel
syndrome need balance in order to benefit a person. Take insoluble fiber, for
instance: many people know that insoluble fiber is a trigger for irritable
bowel syndrome. However, it is also widely known that insoluble fiber can be
found in fruits and vegetables -- all healthy foods. A person is then faced
with the dilemma of choosing between the nutrition provided by insoluble fiber
foods and the pain caused by them.

However, by eating these foods with a quantity of soluble fiber, a person can
easily avoid the pain of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and still get
the nourishment that he or she needs. And that is the connection between foods &
irritable bowel syndrome.

Tips on Preventing Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome is among the most common gastrointestinal
disorders among cats. It is the condition which is characterized by chronic
inflammation of the intestinal tract.

When a cat suffers from feline irritable bowel syndrome, this only suggests
that it is subject under abnormal contractions of the intestines. This then
interferes with the normal passage of food and waste material, which therefore
creates more toxins and mucus in the tool.

This accumulation of digested material will set stage for obstruction of stool
and gas in the digestive tract. The whole process will result to bloating,
diarrhea and constipation.

Like with human irritable bowel syndrome, the cause of the feline IBS is not
known. Contributing factors, however, provide us ideas of what must be fixed to
facilitate treatment. Stress, poor eating habits, allergies, improper use of
antibiotics, viral and bacterial infections, and viruses can all help in the
exacerbation of the symptoms.

Symptoms of feline irritable bowel movement include abdominal pain,
constipation and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, bloating, anorexia and
flatulence.

Due to the fact the feline irritable bowel syndrome is triggered by various
factors, it is important that the cat is thoroughly checked by a veterinarian.
While it may not pose fatal possibilities, it is still important that the cat
is relived from the symptoms.

Feed your cat with the right food It is vital that you feed your cat the right
food. You need not rely on what other people think is right or what works for
others. Cats have different needs and so they require various forms of
supplementation.

Raw diets may work for some cats and others like home cooking. Whichever your
cats prefer must be given. Those suffering with feline irritable bowel syndrome
do well with both for the choices. However, most do well on canned foods. Any
case varies from another and sticking to what works well for you cat's
condition is the best option. Remember that there is no specific diet for any
cat.

Among the many substances that can trigger the symptoms are high concentration
of fats in cat food, spicy foods, processed foods, dairy products and sugar.
Also, stay away from synthetic preservatives such as propyl gallate, butylated
hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA), and ethoxyquin.

Use bottled water Some cats are extra sensitive to certain metals found in
drinking water. To help resolve this, it is best to use bottled water as their
fluid substitute.

Keep you cat away from parasites Cats are often infested with parasites that
would often trigger the attacks of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Symptoms of
infestation include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, bad breath, loss
of appetite, skin problems, yeast infection, foul stool odor, and bad breath.

Avoid causing stress There are various factors that can cause stress among
cats. One of which is the presence of toxins within its vicinity. Eliminate all
possible sources of stress and you are sure to have one less problem to worry.
Also, if possible avoid using cheap ceramic bowls and plastic bowls as food
servers. Carpet powders, air fresheners, fumes from bleach, and bathroom
cleaners may also result to attacks of symptoms in your cats. This is specially
true for those breeds that are specially susceptible to changes in air component.

Simple measures would contribute to the over-all elimination of symptoms in
your cat. The tips given above may sound trivial yet effective in creating a
safer environment for your pets.

Effects of Smoking on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects the large intestines. It
exhibit symptoms such as cramping or pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and
gassiness. IBS is also known in other names such functional bowel disease, mucus
colitis and spastic colon. However although it also makes use of the term
colitis it should never be construed as an inflammatory bowel disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a dangerous disorder and neither it is
contagious nor cancerous. The greatest effect that IBS can have in a patient is
to cause stress and discomfort which interrupts daily activities. Irritable
Bowel Syndrome especially for married patients often affects their sexual lives.

Smoking and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Smoking does not only cause lung cancer
but also worsen symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Tobacco just like
caffeine and alcohol also worsen IBS symptoms. It really does not matter
whether you smoked, chewed or inhaled Tobacco. The facts still remains that
Tobacco is a potent GI tract irritant, carcinogen and stimulant.

People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome have sensitive gastrointestinal and are
very susceptible to certain stimuli may it be in the form of food or even the
simple waking up actions. Tobacco is one of the worst factors that trigger
Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and can cause various types of cancer.

Tobacco in general affects almost all the parts of the digestive system. It
does not only cause heartburn but also reflux which are considered two
conditions which IBS patients are likely to acquire. And since smoking damage
the esophageal sphincter, the acidic contents of the stomach tend to flow
upward and down into the lower portion of the esophagus.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria or irritation resulting from anti-inflammatory
medications commonly causes ulcers however it is smoking that increases the
possibility of peptic ulcer. Not only that, smoking also hinders healing and
makes ulcer to reoccur more frequently. This is because smoking worsens ulcer
perforation ten times. Aside from ulcer and triggering IBS symptoms, smoking
also increases the chance of Crohn's disease. It may also lead to the
development of gallstones.

The nicotine found on the tobacco is not only an addictive element but also a
poison that tend to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. This lead to hyper
production of acid in the stomach and at the same time decreases the pancreatic
production of sodium bicarbonate, which is an important substance in
counteracting the production of stomach acid.

Aside from nicotine, tobacco also contains more than four hundred toxins and at
least forty-three known carcinogens. All of these harmful substances enters the
bloodstream and carried through the digestive tract triggering IBS symptoms.
Similarly, inhaling a smoke from the tobacco also cause gassiness, belching and
bloating which are symptoms also of IBS.

Smoking above all is famous for causing cancer either of the colon, the
bladder, kidney, pancreas and stomach. Plus long-term smoking also increases
the possibility of colorectal cancer. How? Inhaling or swallowing tobacco smoke
can bring carcinogens right down to the colon. The tobacco also tend to increase
colon polyp size which means that the bigger the polyp the higher the
possibility for it to develop into cancer. In fact, studies shows that at least
twelve percent of colorectal cancers are the direct result of smoking.

Lastly, smoking is not only a factor that can trigger Irritable Bowel Syndrome
but poses greater health risk like cancer so for your sake better quit smoking.

Diet For Irritable Bowel Syndrome - 1

Diet Suggestions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is known to be characterized with various symptoms
with different roots. It is therefore important that each of these roots is
determined so as to provide better treatments to address the condition.

However, though we may know the roots, it is still important that we are
knowledgeable enough with the true nature of the disorder. The sad thing though
is that we lack knowledge as to what truly triggers the disease.

While foods do not actually cause the attacks of the symptoms, we can't still
ignore the fact that there are certain problematic foods that can set off some
symptoms including constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

Unfortunately, there is no standard diet that can be used by all patients. In
fact, even if a diet plan works for one, it does not necessarily imply that it
will also do good for another patient with similar condition.

Nevertheless, there are some common guidelines that can be used to determine
what specific foods normally aggravate the symptoms.

It is important to remember though that there is no clear explanation as to why
foods may have triggering effects on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nonetheless,
association with this condition towards specific diet is often pointed as the
culprit of IBS.

Thus, the common placebo among patients is the lessening of symptoms with the
elimination or restriction from foods that are known to cause the attacks.

Since large meals can produce strain and compaction in the stomach, it is
advisable that one should take several small meals rather than take three
regular meals. This habit will help the patient reduce the likelihood of
triggering diarrhea or constipation.

It is also important that the patient minimize the intake of fat-based foods.
This is because fat is relatively harder and slower to be digested. Poor
digestion is said to be closely associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Often, this may cause gas in the intestine that further leads to the rise of
many symptoms that could aggravate the problem.

In addition to these, dietary fat is known to make the movement of gas slower
from the stomach to the small intestine. A number of patients have been
observed to respond exaggeratedly towards dietary fats through further slowing.
Thus, while there may not be much established facts on this, it is still better
to prevent any possibilities from occuring.

The "greens" and natural components are often the best solution to most
intestinal complications. Dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables, beans and
wheat-based products often provide solution to the ills of the gastrointestinal
tract.

While fiber may not help in the reduction of abdominal pain, its significant
effects in constipation surely help those who suffer from this symptom. Fiber
is known to improve the bulkiness of the stool, which helps create better
removal of the stool.

Because lactose intolerance is often associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
people find it helpful to refrain from milk intake so as to avoid further
complications. But like with other diet plans, lactose elimination would not
mean the release from IBS symptoms. It will just add to the comfort of lesser
symptoms.

Knowing what creates the triggering effects will help you create a feasible
diet plan for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While this may not actually be enough
as a treatment, it will largely contribute to the facilitation of larger-scale
plan for suppressing the symptoms.

Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome - 2

Diet for Irritable Bowel: What-To-Eat and What-Not-to-Eat

It is not surprising that food has got something to do with the causes of
irritable bowel syndrome. After all, it is in the intestinal tract that we
process foods. Thus, what we eat normally affects the way our intestines
function.

Changes in our diet would certainly create effects on the fashion by which we
digest foods. This then will change the chemical interaction involved in the
processing of these crucial substances.

However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not deal with chemical interactions
alone. It is basically a functional disorder that borders more on the
abnormalities of functions that don't often project actual or physical
complications. In fact, this is the exact reason why the nature of the disease
is not yet fully known. Add to it the fact that most factors involved are under
subjective details, which also require subjective treatments. This alone is
enough to conclude why there is lack of concrete knowledge on the true
characteristics of the syndrome.

Though we know for a fact that all these contribute to the development of the
syndrome and the consequential attacks of symptoms, the medical community
cannot still provide a comprehensive treatment plan for all patients to
eliminate IBS.

Thus, any activities that would result to the removal of these factors will
create lesser chances of triggering the attacks.

One best way of doing this is through following of a diet plan that would
remove problematic foods while supplementing them with foods helpful in
improving the symptoms.

While foods may not actually act as root causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
their effects are still substantial enough. It is good to note however that
there is no fixed formula for creating the diet for Irritable Bowel syndrome.
The results will always lie on the strategic combination of foods to promote
lesser symptoms and healthier intestinal tract.

Trigger foods are obviously those who create tension in the stomach which then
causes it to function in an abnormal manner. Some of the trigger foods are
those which have high fat content while very low in fiber content. Oils, cream,
poultry skin, fried foods, and coconut milk are among the most common foods that
cause problems.

Fats are known to create a slower digestion in the stomach. The more time it
takes the intestinal bacteria to digest foods, the higher the risk of creating
gas thus, most patients of Irritable Bowel syndrome suffer from intestinal gas
which in itself is also associated with diarrhea, bloating, constipation and
other major symptoms.

Foods with high caffeine content like coffee, chocolate, and carbonate rinks
are also known to trigger Irritable Bowel syndrome. Therefore, these must be
eliminated from your list of foods so that you can get around from the
likelihood of stimulating the rise of abdominal complications.

Meanwhile, to facilitate better movements of the stool in the colon, it is best
that you take extra amounts of dietary fiber. This is especially true for those
who suffer from constipation-dominant irritable bowel.

Constipation is marked by compacted stool or too loose stool. Fiber acts as the
neutralizer since it adds bulk to the stool to administer easier expulsion from
the system.

Fiber can be acquired from natural resources such as vegetables and fruits,
nuts, brown rice, figs, peas, French bread, raisings, soybeans, and a number of
others.

Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome - 3

Irritable Bowel syndrome or IBS is a disorder that is characterized by symptoms
like bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, cramping and abdominal pain. IBS
often cause patients to suffer great stress and discomfort. Although, IBS does
not cause severe damage unlike any other type of disease such as cancer and the
likes, but the effect that it cause especially on the psychological aspect of
patients is enough to make them suffer.

There are various ways of controlling Irritable Bowel Syndrome like for
instance diet, medications and proper stress management. IBS affect people in
different ways but sometimes it can be disabling and often renders some IBS
patients to skip work, not to attend social gatherings or refrain from
traveling short distances.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder experienced by most American
adult population. It occurs predominantly among women than in men and usually
starts attacking at the age of 35 or earlier.

Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome The first step to treating or controlling
Irritable Bowel syndrome is to consult a doctor. This is very important since
proper and correct diagnosis is required to come up with treatments that will
help you in controlling symptoms of IBS.

Although there are no particular tests for IBS, but still diagnostic tests are
needed to rule out the possibilities of other diseases that exhibits the same
symptoms as that of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The tests commonly performed
for IBS include blood tests, x-rays and stool sampling test.

Aside from the aforementioned tests, a doctor may also perform colonoscopy or
sigmoidoscopy to check the inside of the colon. The said tests are performed by
means of inserting a tiny, flexible tube that has a camera at the end. The
doctor makes use of this equipment in order to clearly see the inside of the
anus or the colon.

The doctor may also base his diagnosis on the IBS symptoms that you are
experiencing or exhibiting such as abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, constipation
and others. Some doctors refer to a specific list of IBS symptoms to help them
in their diagnosis.

Treating IBS by Changing Diet

Changing your diet can actually help in reducing symptoms of Irritable Bowel 
Syndrome. However bear in mind that before you change your diet it is important 
that you consult your doctor since there are certain foods that aggravate 
symptoms of IBS. Your doctor will guide on the proper food to take and to avoid.

Keeping a journal can also help you to keep track of food that you have to
avoid. Some of the common foods to avoid include dairy products, which really
caused Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Fiber-rich foods are great for
controlling IBS symptoms especially constipation.

You can get fiber from whole grain breads, fruits, cereals and vegetables.
Fiber-rich foods help in keeping the colon distended, which in turn prevents
spasms. There are also some types of fiber that store water in the stool making
it easy for IBS patients to move bowel. But remember to add fiber in your diet
gradually so you would not have gas pain. If the IBS symptom you have is
diarrhea then a fiber-rich diet is not a solution.

In addition, drinking six to eight glasses of fluid can also help in preventing
constipation and dehydration especially for IBS patients that have diarrhea.
Drinking sodas or any carbonated drinks, chewing gum, eating too fast and
eating large meals is a no-no for IBS patients since it triggers symptoms of
Irritable Bowel Symptoms.

Common Diets for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Most patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome find it important to keep track of
all the foods that they have eaten. This does not only concern what foods but
also the fashion by which it was prepared.

Say for chicken, you do not only indicate "chicken" in your food journal, you
must be very specific with the terms. It is also important to integrate the
time and your mood during eating a specific stuff. All these will play vital
roles in distinguishing what triggers your symptom and what foods don't have
effects at all.

Your food journal must be filled regularly so proper tracking is made. The best
time to gather details is during the night so that nothing would be missed out.
Remember that each detail is very important and should be given due attention.
A candy bar or any relatively insignificant food will make the difference in
determining what is the best diet plan for your Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Common diets for irritable bowel syndrome eliminate the trigger foods. Your
dietician or physician should be able to build possible diet plan for based on
the data written in your food journal.

Among the components of common diets for irritable bowel syndrome is the
integration of larger amounts of dietary fiber to help eliminate one symptom,
that is constipation.

With higher fiber content in your regular diet, your stools are likely to
become bulky. So if you are seriously affected with constipation, the best way
to combat compacted stool its to induce some volume. That exactly is how fiber
works.

Problematic foods, on the other hand, are those known to trigger the symptoms.
These are basically those with high fat content since this aids in slower
digestion of foods. Fat itself takes much longer time before it is completely
dissolved and stored.

One important thing to remember when following a diet for irritable bowel
syndrome is the observance of regular meals. Irritable Bowel Syndrome lies in
the abnormal function of the intestinal tract, or specifically the colon. If
you would practice eating at the same time everyday, your intestine will get
used to the habit, which would regularize the bowel movement and the movement
of the intestinal muscles more.

If you have diarrhea-dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the best diet for you
to follow is one that will allow the intake of meals in smaller pieces. And
since diarrhea deals more on the presence of water in the stool, it is vital
that you follow your dietician's advice when it comes to the amount of water
that must be taken.

In general, it is advisable to take as much fluid as you can. Alcohol works
best. Be careful though that you avoid caffeinated drinks, carbonated sodas,
and alcohol-based beverages. Caffeine will stimulate the intestines and can
result to making diarrhea worse while carbonated drinks produce more gas, which
further aggravates the condition.

Dairy foods are also a must-avoid food in nearly all common diets for irregular
bowel syndrome. Lactose intolerance is normally associated with IBS. If you are
lactose-intolerant it is best that you supplement milk proteins with yogurt. Or
better yet, use an enzyme product to facilitate the breaking down of lactose.

You may still continue consuming milk products. However, in some common diet
for irritable bowel syndrome, it is suggested that lactose is totally removed.
Be sure though that this is properly substituted with products that contain
high content of vitamin B, calcium and protein.

The Hunt for the Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that is relatively prevalent among
people aged 20 years and above. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed
syndromes yet one of the issues that people tend not to talk about.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by frequent cramping of the stomach,
bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. These cause a great deal
of distress and discomfort but will never lead to more aggravated condition
since it does not cause permanent harm on the sufferer.

While there is a common pattern for most patients, still the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome vary from patients to patients.

Some may experience single symptoms, say constipation. Many people though
report of having cramping or straining without any or minimal release of stool.
These people experience mucus release along with their bowel too. Mucus is a
fluid-form lubricant that helps moisten the digestive passages for easier
release of digested materials.

Some patients, on the other hand, undergo diarrhea, which is characterized with
frequent release of uncontrollable watery stools. But some endure alternate
constipation and diarrhea.

The ceasing of symptoms does not imply the stoppage of the syndrome all
together though. Many people find it more difficult to deal with irritable
bowel syndrome after a few months of subsided syndromes.

While many cases of this syndrome are regularly reported worldwide, there are
still no known causes that would determine the proper treatments. Many
researchers agree that this may have a relation on the colon or the large bowel
that is especially reactive to specific stresses and food elements.

Others argue that this is largely affected by the efficiency of the immune
system.

Persons with this condition are known to have irregular motility or movement of
the large colon. This is termed to as spasmodic but other patients display
temporary cessation of intestinal movement.

IBS is frequently linked with bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal
tract. Researchers observed that people who have developed gastroenteritis have
greater likelihood of also developing IBS.

In addition, it is found that irritable bowel syndrome heightens once
susceptibility over anxiety and stress which in return aggravate the condition.
Similarly, many symptoms of IBS cause depression and anxiety.

Other patients projected links with irritable bowel syndrome and celiac
disease, which is the inability of a person to digest gluten. Gluten is the
substance found in wheat, barley, eye and flour that basically help in the
coagulation of the bread. Patients of celiac disease have immune systems that
respond to gluten by damaging the small intestine. The presence of celiac
disease along with IBS can be checked through blood tests.

For female sufferers however, findings have suggested that many have worsened
symptoms during their menstrual period. These are basically the commonly
observed "supposed causes" of internal bowel movements. The scientific and the
medical communities are continually working on resolving the causes so as to
create feasible treatment options that would help ease out the condition.

Nevertheless, people have already practiced a number of things to help provide
temporary treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. Many of which entail the
avoidance towards foods that normally cause the symptoms to reappear. Many
activities are also suggested to be avoided to limit the appearance of the
symptoms. Such include large meals, caffeine from teas, colas and chocolates
and abstention from alcohol and wheat-based products.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and its Effects on Cats

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not only common among humans but also among animals
particularly cats. Basically, the IBS that is experienced by people is the same
type that cats also feel.

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome among cats is the same gastrointestinal disorder
that is also felt by human. The large and/or small intestines are also
affected. IBS in cats usually affects the contractions of the digestive tract
resulting to irregular bowel movement. Aside from that, IBS also interferes
with the normal distribution of food and waste material inside the cat's body
resulting to the accumulation of toxins and mucus in the cat's intestines.

These accumulated toxins often obstruct the normal function of the digestive
tract. In the process gas and stool are trapped causing bloating, constipation
and distention. It is also surprising to note that the same IBS factors in
human have been identified to cause the same effects among cats. Factors
causing IBS such as stress, overuse of antibiotics, poor eating habits,
bacterial, and viral infection, parasites and food allergies were found to
affect cats as well.

Likewise, a blockage is also very common among cats since they love to chew as
well as swallow objects. This too can trigger IBS symptoms.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Cats

It would be surprising to note that cats and humans exhibit the same Irritable
Bowel Syndrome symptoms. And here are some of them:

*  Constipation among cats is just like in humans. It is also exhibited by
   hard, small, pebble-like stools, which make bowel movement very difficult.

*  Diarrhea is a more frequent bowel movement wherein the stool is often soft 
   and watery. Cats with IBS usually experience successive loose bowel movement
   alternating with constipation. 

*  Abdominal pain is also common among cats with IBS. The pain can range from 
   mild to severe. 

*  The presence of mucus in the stool is also a common sign of IBS. 

*  Another symptom of IBS that may be observed in cats is vomiting and nausea. 

*  Gas pain or flatulence is also an indication of IBS in cats 

*  Bloating

*  Intolerance to certain types of foods

*  Anorexia which most of you may think is only common to us human but
   surprisingly is also exhibited by our feline friends.

Treating Your Cat's Irritable Bowel Syndrome Since Irritable Bowel Syndrome
involves many factors, it is very important that you have your cats examined by
a veterinarian. This way you will know what's triggering IBS symptoms in your
pet cats. In case you prefer to apply natural methods in controlling your pet's
IBS symptoms still it is better to consult first a veterinarian before applying
any type of IBS treatment to your cat to avoid further complications.

A change in your cat's diet is also a good way to control Irritable Bowel
syndrome. However make sure that you consult a veterinarian or a nutritionist
to provide your cat with a personalized diet and program.

Feeding your cat with the right type of food is still the best way to control
your cat's Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Cats like humans prefer different types of
foods. There are some cats that like eating raw food while there are some that
prefers home cooking or canned food.

It is very important that you try to experiment with foods that work for your
cat. If you can keep a food journal in which you can jot down foods that your
cat needs to avoid then so much the better. This will guide you on the proper
food to give your cat and in turn keeps IBS symptoms in control.

Facts About Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome is often confused with inflammatory bowel
disease. Since the latter is a much worse disease than the former, many pet
owners find themselves panicking. However, cat lovers should realize that
feline irritable bowel syndrome is not really as bad as inflammatory bowel
disease.

Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional disorder. This means that
there's nothing wrong with your cat's anatomy, but there is something wrong
with the way it works. This is often considered to be psychosomatic, which
means it is affected by the mind of your pet. Thus, one way to treat the
symptoms of feline irritable bowel syndrome is to instill the right mindset on
your cat.

Feline irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a sudden change in a cat's
stool frequency. The cat would either be defecating more frequently than usual
or it could be less than usual. It is also characterized by diarrhea or
constipation.

Another symptom of this illness is abdominal pain. If your pet seems to have
abdominal pain combined with the other symptoms your cat may have feline
irritable bowel disease. There are various types of treatments for feline
irritable bowel disease:

1) Less stress -- Feline Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be aggravated by stress.
Because of this, a common advice for people who have cats that are suffering
from feline irritable bowel syndrome is to try and find the source of stress
for their cats. After pinpointing what factor causes stress in their pets,
owners should try to eliminate this factor and place their pets in a situation
where the cat is comfortable.

There are also certain types of medicines which you can give your cat to help
lessen its anxiety. This will help greatly in relieving the symptoms of feline
irritable bowel syndrome.

In doing this, you need to try and see the environment through your cat's
perspective. Something that you don't see as stressful could cause anxiety in
your cat. Something as simple as a new rug could trigger the symptoms of feline
irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Proper diet -- Another trigger of feline irritable bowel syndrome is food.
Eating the wrong sorts of food can aggravate the symptoms of feline irritable
bowel syndrome. The proper diet for feline irritable bowel syndrome depends on
your cat's symptoms.

Some cats experience diarrhea as a symptom of feline irritable bowel syndrome.
In cases like this, it is important to find foods that would stop the diarrhea.
This means that you have to find foods that would help make your pet's stool
harder. Of course, the opposite is required if your cat is suffering from
constipation.

4) Lots of water -- A cat suffering from feline irritable bowel syndrome needs
a lot of water. This is in order to help in cleansing the stomach and in
stabilizing the digestive process. You should encourage your cat to drink more
from his or her bowl.

3) Supplements -- When feeding a cat with feline irritable bowel syndrome, an
owner should keep in mind to give the pet lots of insoluble fiber. This is in
order to stabilize the digestive process of the cat. Soluble fiber can be
purchased in the form of a powder which can be mixed into your cat's food.
There are also different types of pet food which contain high percentages of
soluble fiber. Ask about this type of food from your pet shop.

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