Holistic Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a gastro-intestinal health problem suffered by an increasing number of people.

Suggested IBS Triggers

1. Hypersensitivity or intolerances to foods

2. Stress or emotional problems

3. Inflammation and infections in the intestines caused by unfriendly bacteria or parasites. These can give rise to Leaky Gut Syndrome, where there is an increase in the permeability of the intestinal mucosa. Here, undigested food particles and chemicals can permeate the walls of the intestines and enter the bloodstream. The immune system can become overloaded by this and cause inflammation, mucosal sensitivity, abnormal movements and response from secretions.

4. Dysbiosis. The good and bad bacteria in the intestines become imbalanced.

5. Bowel flora alteration. This can arise from the taking of antibiotic medication or laxatives, regular bouts of diarrhoea or a low intake of dietary fibre.

Diet & Lifestyle

An increase in the intake of water and dietary fibre, mainly from fruit and vegetables, can be quite beneficial, as can a reduction in the consumption of diuretic beverages - tea, coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine.

Constipation, diarrhoea and dysbiosis (toxic bacteria) may be directly attributed to food sensitivities and intolerances.

Bloating and symptoms associated with this (meteorism) is caused by gas that's trapped in the intestines, though how this actually comes about is not yet fully comprehended. The decomposition of lactose by bacteria can cause increased gas leading to bloating and rumbling, flatulence or diarrhoea soon after eating dairy foods.

One of the factors thought to play a strong role in IBS pathology are food intolerances. Bacterial fermentation can be the result, with symptoms caused by the increased production of intestinal gases.

Possible natural treatments for IBS:

1. Drinking one-and-a-half litres of pure water daily, in addition to usual beverage intake.

2. Reducing or eliminating tea, cocoa, chocolate, cola and alcohol.

3. Identifying food sensitivities or allergies and eliminating the foods that give rise to them.

4. Although some people do have problems with raw foods, in general there are benefits from increasing fibre intake from fruits and vegetables.

5. Cutting back on stress.

The treatment is a collaboration between the client and the therapist. It is, therefore, vital that the client be committed to taking an active role in dealing with the disorder.

The therapist may feel that that laboratory blood tests are required to find out if there are any food allergies or sensitivities. Other tests that can be ordered include those for leaky gut syndrome and overgrowth of candida yeast.