Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Overview

Tara Carpenter, NC.

Holistic nutrition for people on The Body Ecology Diet (B.E.D.).

What is IBS?

IBS is a collection of symptoms in the gastrointestinal (GI) system yet can be present throughout the body and mind. This condition affects delicate timing of peristalsis movement, digestive secretions, and food absorption; with about 10-20% adults in U.S. are affected, with most diagnosed in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s.

Too Fast, Too Slow

IBS symptoms come mainly from the large intestinal muscle contracting either too rapidly or too slowly when compared to normal. Also, from the autonomic nervous and digestive system functioning less than harmonious to produce effortlessly and painless bowel movements.

When intestinal contractions (peristalsis) move too rapidly, then the food you eat moves too quickly through the GI tract and the result is that the intestinal wall will not have enough time to absorb/extract the liquids and nutrients from food particles passing by. This tends to result in a state of malnourishment and diarrhea. Contractions that are too slow give the intestinal walls too much time to absorb liquids from the stool and result in constipation or pellet-like bowel movement.

3 Types of IBS

Diarrhea-dominant: discomfort, bowel urgency, frequency, loose stool.
Constipation-dominant: discomfort, delayed, infrequent, hard stool.
Alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.

The Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Functional GI Disorders says IBS is abdominal discomfort (uncomfortable sensation, not pain) lasting 3 days, has occurred in last 3 months, and associated with 2+ of following:

Improvement with defecation.
Onset associated with change in stool frequency.
Onet associated with change in stool appearance.

Photographer Thomas McMahon, “Colored Pain”

Signs & Symptoms

Crampy abdominal feelings
No structural abnormalities
Anorexia
Anxiety, depression, stress
Back or urinary pain
Constipation
Diarrhea, often in morning
Bloated
Gas (flatulence)
Grumbling gut
Incomplete evacuation
Increased pain sensitivity
Mucus in stool
Pellets or pencil-thin stool
Stomach numbing
Sensitivity in lower left abdomen, relief from pooping

Photographer Charlie Mackesy, “The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, & The Horse”

Risk Factors

Anyone can be diagnosed, including kids and elders, yet more likely women, young adults, and anyone with IBS family history, or depression/anxiety.

Diagnosis

There is no single test to confirm IBS. Instead, doctors look at symptoms and family history and rule out other conditions like IBS with a blood test for inflammatory bowel disease (includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Celiac disease, anemia). They may also do a hydrogen breath test to check for lactose intolerance, colonoscopy for rectal bleeding and colon cancer, or take a stool sample to check for malabsorption if diarrhea is present.

Photographer Terry Gilecki, “Inner Peace”

Causes & Triggers

Stress, whether from food sensitivities (#1 stress for many), emotions, pain, toxins, infection, or prolonged stress can lead to intestinal permeability and less good gut flora. Stress alters bacteria and evidence supports role of altered small intestine microbiota/dysbiosis.
Miscommunication between brain and gut, related to serotonin neurotransmitter; responsible for motility/pain sensation in GI tract.
Genetic studies show IBS runs in families; no specific gene found.
Infection is a factor in IBS and can lead to a disruption in gut flora and damaged intestinal wall nerves.
Inflammation inside of gut presents as high levels of specific cytokines, making it a piece of the IBS puzzle.
Research indicates IBS may be due to gut dysbiosis/Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO).

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Disclaimer: This is general information only; primarily educational in nature; and is not a substitute for the medical advice of your health care professional that you require for any cause whatsoever, now or in future. Please consult a medical doctor before implementing diet and lifestyle changes mentioned and continue any existing treatments unless your doctor says otherwise.