irritable bowel syndrome and ibs symtoms

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Your Journey into Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

As its name indicates, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a syndrome. That is, IBS is a combination of signs and symptoms, but not a disease. IBS is classified as a functional disorder. A functional disorder refers to a condition where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the body works), rather than an identifiable inflammatory, infectious, structural, or biochemical cause.

Research also indicates that IBS is a multi-faceted disorder. For example, the symptoms of IBS result from what seems to be a disturbance or imbalance in the interaction between the intestines, the brain, sensory function, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function).

The articles on this site are provided to help you to better understand Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and your options for relief of these symptoms.

Click Here right arrow For a Special Report on the causes and treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Fiber and IBS


Fiber and IBS

Those who have IBS may also hear the term fiber in relation to it. Fiber is one of the major ways to help prevent IBS. By knowing the details on fiber and how it relates to your symptoms, you can use it effectively to ease the discomforts of IBS. There are several characteristics to fiber that will help with your symptoms as well as several types of fibers to use.

Fibers are mostly found in whole grains. Breads, spaghetti and wheat will all have a high amount of fiber in them to help you. However, you can also consider several fruits and vegetables to help with your fiber needs. These are known to directly help your IBS and digestive tracts. Usually, IBS is a sign that you are not getting enough of these types of food.

One type of fiber that is used directly with IBS is soluble fiber. This is a fermented source of nutrition. This means that there are bacteria in the fiber that is good for your digestive tract. As soon as it moves into the colon it will begin to break down carbohydrates. This, in turn, will stimulate the muscles that are in this area. It will also help to soften the stools.

Another attribute of soluble fiber is its ability to dissolve in a liquid. If it is an insoluble fiber, it will absorb in the liquid. This includes water that may be a part of the meal. This will then allow the fiber to move easily through the digestive tract and go to the needed area to break down the carbohydrates. Because of this, it is important to make sure that liquids are consumed with fibers. This will ensure that they are either broken up or consumed in the digestive tract, allowing them to move easily to the right area.

With these two types of fibers being able to move through your system, it is important to know what types of foods are insoluble or soluble fibers. Insoluble is mostly part of the cellulose in certain foods. Seeds, root vegetables, cabbage, wheat bran and corn bran will all include high amounts of insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers, then, will include other types of grains and wheat as well as other fruits and vegetables.

Once you know the details of fiber and begin to add it to your diet, you may find that you are still experiencing discomfort and pain. This is because it seems extreme to your body to have these carbohydrates being broken up in this area. It is important to add the fibers to your diet slowly, allowing your body to adjust to the changes that are being made in this area. Over time, it will be easier to take in the fibers.

Fiber should always be part of one’s diet. Having more when you have IBS will help the muscles in your system to relax and began functioning at a normal level. You may have heard that an easy solution for IBS is taking fiber. There are plenty of reasons behind this and is a good suggestion for those that are battling with IBS. Knowing what fiber can do for you as well as where to find it will begin to relieve your symptoms related to IBS.


For information on a number of other common health problems, be sure to check out our home page at Common Health Problems.

Health problems are becoming more common as the "baby boom" generation gets older and will continue to do so for the next 20 years or so. Bowel problems are no exception.

 

Risk Factors for IBS

The main risk factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) include:

  • Sex
  • Family History

For example, you are far more likely to have IBS if you're young and female. In fact, two to three times as many women as men have the condition.

In addition, IBS does seem to run in families, possibly suggesting a genetic cause for the condition.

However, at the current time, the precise cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is not known.

New Irritable Bowel Information

  • The latest research on irritable bowel syndrome from China

    Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, gastroenterology, constipation, diarrhea

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    Irritable bowel syndrome is a common research topic for clinical trials in the People's Republic of China, at least every other Chinese medical journal contains a report on a recent IBS RCT. Below are abstracts of some of the more recently published Chinese medical research on this common condition.

    [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

    Study 1: "Th ...
    Author: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

  • The role of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, and detoxification of the bowel

    Abstract

    Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are two diseases of the intestinal tract. They share some common symptoms such as pain and discomfort among other issues. While IBS has usually been characterized as a functional disease or syndrome with a diagnosis made on a cluster of symptoms in the absence of notable structural abnormalities, IBD is a very similar disorder, at least with a cursory review of symptoms. However, IBD does differ in that it is a collection ...
    Author: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
    CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

    IBS in the News


    08/24/2010
    Low Bone Mineral Density Common In Children And Teenagers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    A thesis from the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) is the first in Scandinavia to study the occurrence of low bone mineral density in children and teenagers with inflammatory bowel disease. Half of the patients in the study showed signs of low bone mineral density...

    more IBS info


    08/23/2010
    Stress Management, Diet Changes Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
    When persistent cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation are causing distress and frequent bathroom trips, the next stop should be a visit to the doctor. These symptoms, commonly caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), often can be minimized with diet and lifestyle changes...

    more IBS info


    08/21/2010
    Proof That Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is Not In Your Head
    Irritable bowel syndrome makes life miserable for those affected -- an estimated ten percent or more of the population. And what irritates many of them even more is that they often are labeled as hypochondriacs, since physical causes for irritable bowel syndrome have never been identified...

    more IBS info


    08/05/2010
    UCD Scientists Pinpoint Potential Key Regulator In Battle To Target Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
    Research into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) led by UCD Conway Institute scientists with national and international collaborators has identified a key regulator involved in maintaining the functional integrity of the gut lining...

    more IBS info


    08/05/2010
    N30 Pharma Announces FDA Approval To Initiate Phase 1 Clinical Trial For First-in-Class Drug
    N30 Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug Application for N6022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. N6022, a first-in-class inhibitor of s-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), has the potential to be an important new treatment for acute exacerbations of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)...

    more IBS info

  • 10 Step Detox Program By Dr. Janet Hull
    Detoxification program for Radiation, Heavy Metals, Mercury, and Food Chemicals such as Aspartame!

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