April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month, designated by the National Health Observances calendar. It is estimated that one in seven Americans suffer from IBS.
What is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome is defined as a chronic and recurring condition of the digestive system commonly affecting the small intestine and large intestine. IBS is the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal condition. Roughly 10 to 20 percent of the population has IBS, but only 15 percent of them seek medical help. Symptoms are reported as being abdominal pain, altered bowel habits (such as alternating diarrhea and constipation), bloating, and gas.
Causes of IBS
The causes of IBS are still not fully understood. IBS symptoms are thought to be due to a disturbance in digestive movement (aka colon motility) leading to either speeding up or slowing down of digestion, either of which can lead to IBS symptoms. The key is to find what is causing the disturbance in digestion. Some possible causes of IBS include bacteria or viral infection, lifestyle and emotional factors, and food allergies and intolerances. More research is coming out about the brain–gut connection in the development of IBS symptoms. However, stress and anxiety may not be the root cause, although they have been shown to contribute to symptoms.
The link between IBS and food allergies and intolerances has been known for some time. Common food allergies or intolerances known to affect digestion include dairy products (milk, whey, cheese, yogurt), wheat-based products and gluten grains (whole wheat bread, barley, and spelt, to name a few), soy, corn, nuts and eggs. Food allergies and intolerances can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract, contributing to IBS symptoms.
Treatment of IBS
There are a number of different treatment strategies for IBS. Typically, patients diagnosed with IBS are prescribed medications to reduce pain, manage bowel habits, and control anxiety and stress. While these therapies may manage the symptoms, they do not address the causes.
Evidence is increasing that diet and food allergies play a critical part in triggering IBS. A recent study in the journal Clinical Nutrition showed that 30 percent of patients with IBS symptoms also had a wheat allergy. This finding addresses the potential role of wheat (and other gluten grains) as an IBS trigger.
Common alternatives to IBS treatment
Alternatives for treating IBS with prescription drugs include:
• Have your naturopathic doctor test for underlying causes, including food allergies.
• Consider dietary changes, such as increasing dietary fiber and eliminating known gassy trigger foods like beans, gluten, dairy, broccoli, and onions. Other foods to avoid are fried fatty foods and alcohol.
• L-glutamine is an amino acid that has been shown to help repair and rebuild digestive lining.
• Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that our digestive system needs to function properly. Studies have shown that patients with IBS who are given probiotics had reduction in gas, abdominal pain, and more normalized bowel movements.
• Encapsulated peppermint oil can relax the muscles in the gut and provide relief of IBS symptoms.
• Consider getting help for any kind of stress. Counseling (cognitive behavioral therapy) has been shown to help address the underlying stress and anxiety component seen in most IBS patients. Other techniques, like yoga, acupuncture, exercise, and meditation, can also help conquer stress.
If you think you may have IBS, please consult with your healthcare professional for more information and proper testing and treatment.
Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist specializing in IBS and digestive health. She sees patients in her private practice in downtown Bothell and Kenmore. For more information, visit www.startingpointacupuncture.com.
