Bloating, diarrhea, constipation: Irritable Bowel Syndrome can present in many ways, all of which can complicate daily life. Whether you're sharing a meal with friends, enjoying a family outing, or shopping, your rebellious, sensitive bowels are a permanent and rather unpleasant companion. The good news: The more we learn about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the better we can treat it. That's why today, we will examine some of the most important questions around Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome refers to several different digestion issues for which doctors have yet to find an organic or biochemical cause, despite thorough research. For most patients, the path to finally receiving a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is long and difficult. The symptoms are common, however. By some estimates, nearly one in every five people in developed countries have overly sensitive digestive systems – Women about twice as often as men. Although the condition itself is not dangerous, irritable bowel syndrome is nevertheless stressful and is, above all, a drain on well-being and quality of life.
An overly sensitive bowel can cause discomfort when you eat something that doesn't agree with it. Often, this means cramps or sharp pains in the abdomen, as well as uncomfortable complications when using the toilet. People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome report diarrhea, for example, which may alternate with constipation, as well as painful bowel movements, the constant feeling of “needing to go”, or the feeling that their bowels were not emptied completely. Other symptoms include bloating, belching, flatulence, or gas.
Problems in the bowel affect more than just the abdomen, and can have far-reaching secondary effects. Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome report difficulty in concentration, anxiety, depression, fatigue, circulatory problems and sleep disturbances, among other concerns.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can present in many ways. Depending on symptoms, it can be classified into four types:
The patient suffers from diarrhea at least three times a day. Stool consistency is soft to liquid.
Characterized by three bowel movements per week at most. Stool consistency is hard.
Alternating between diarrhea and constipation – even within the same day.
Doesn't necessarily relate to stool consistency, but rather with significant flatulence and abdominal cramps.
When research into irritable bowel syndrome was still in its infancy, it was assumed that an irritable bowel was probably psychological, since stress and anxiety have a noticeable effect on the digestion of many people. However, many new insights have been gained in recent years and although much remains unknown, it is assumed that several factors play a role in the development of the condition, which can also overlap and influence each other. Possible factors of irritable bowel syndrome include:
Too fast, too slow, too tense. Many Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients have been observed to have problems with their intestinal muscles (e.g. because of malfunctions in the gut-brain axis or in the “abdominal brain”).
The natural intestinal barrier is disturbed, which may cause local problems as well as far-reaching disorders throughout the body. This makes it all the more crucial to correct any problems in the intestine and its barriers.
New research shows that chronic, mild inflammation of the intestinal wall (with an accumulation and overactivity of immune cells) may lay the groundwork for overly sensitive bowels.
Over 1,000 types of bacteria live in our intestines. Their balance is closely tied to our health, well-being and digestion. Disruptions to this microbial population can lead to digestive problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, among other issues.
Stress, nervousness, anxiety. Our intestines are delicate sensors that can easily be “upset” by psychological stimuli.
Gastrointestinal infections do not always automatically trigger Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but they can be a catalyst for intestinal sensitivity issues.
Too fast, too unhealthy, too little. Our food culture and eating habits, potential food sensitivities, and improper nutrition may also be factors.
Did you know? Our brain has a direct connection to our bowels. We generally don't notice the constant flow of information between these two nerve centers. When stress impacts our digestion, however, this connection becomes uncomfortably clear. The gut also interacts with our brain, and according to new studies, it can influence our thoughts and feelings: even the way we make decisions and manage stress.
The following tips have been proven to help soothe an overly sensitive intestine:
While serious cases require comprehensive treatment (e.g. relaxation techniques, psychotherapeutic measures, short-term medication), mild symptoms can be reduced simply by changing the way you eat. Sensitive bowels are just as idiosyncratic in their food preferences as they are in their negative reactions. So far, there is no proven, universal Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet. Instead, each patient should find out what works and what doesn't – ideally, using a food diary, and under the supervision of their doctor. However, certain culprits have been identified. Sensitive bowels are known to react to:
Stress not only plays a tangible role in digestion, the bacteria that live in our intestines also suffer if they are constantly “under pressure”. An increased flow of stress hormones reduces the diversity of these bacteria, and restricted digestive activity can also disrupt the bacterial balance in our gut. Our home-grown bacteria zoo weighs up to two kilos; heavier than the heart or the brain. So it's no wonder than an imbalance in these bacteria colonies can lead to significant problems and set the stage for more drama in sensitive bowels.
Conversely, research suggests that the state of our intestinal flora also helps determine how well we manage stress. This means that psychological stress or stress in the gut can both trigger a negative feedback loop, since stress impacts the intestinal flora, and stressed-out intestinal flora can lower our ability to withstand stress (resilience).
One natural method to combat sensitive bowels and the stress-induced negative feedback loop is to introduce bacterial strains that multiply quickly to restore balance in the intestines. This was confirmed by a recent observational study, in which 93 participants took Biogena fit@work@ Stressbiotic over the course of six weeks. The participants reported that their individual digestive issues as well as their general stress load was reduced when taking customized doses of probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175), saffron extract, and vitamins B2 and C.
Irritable bowel syndrome may or may not go away. While some sufferers find the symptoms disappear after some time, others put up with them for the rest of their lives. An approach that includes a calm, structured daily routine and slow and relaxed meals is definitely useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
