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).

Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome


Natural Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

For those that are certain they have IBS, they may want to find a cure without going to a doctor or using medications. For those that are looking for other possible solutions to solve their IBS, looking into natural remedies is an option. There are several holistic and natural options for those who are looking into an alternative way to heal their IBS.

One of the treatments that you may want to try is peppermint oil. This is known to relax the muscles that are around the digestive tract, which will eventually help in solving the problem. It is also known to block the calcium from fluctuating where the muscles are by the intestine. By relaxing these muscles, it can lead to a smoother transition through the digestive tract. Peppermint oil can be found as a supplement, in teas, or can be put in some of the foods that you eat.

Another option that can be looked into for a natural remedy is fennel seed. This can be purchased as a supplement or as an herb that can be put into your food. This will have the same result as peppermint oil. It is well known for relaxing the digestive tract and muscles. Fennel seed is also used frequently in other types of digestive disorders.

Rice-bran oil is also a natural remedy that can be used to treat your IBS. From this type of oil is a substance known as gamma-oryzanol. It is well known for calming down nerve activity that is around the lower intestine and abdomen. It will also release anti-oxidants, which will also help in relaxing the stomach. From here, it will allow your bowel to relax, allowing the symptoms to decrease.

If none of these options are working for you, then another problem could be associated with your IBS. Pancreatic enzymes can often times help if these other options aren’t. These will allow for more bacteria to grow in the intestine. These will then be able to digest the food easier, allowing for your food to have the ability to digest. Pancreatic enzymes can be found as supplements, and are often times found in certain foods. There are also other varieties of enzymes available for help with digestion.

Another natural remedy that may help improve your digestive tract is magnesium. This can be found in a vitamin form, or can be used from an increase in particular foods. Those with low calcium intake may find that their cramps or more severe than usual. Other foods, such as high amounts of calcium or alcohol may be associated with this as well. Lowering these intakes and balancing it with more magnesium can help to solve the problem.

Knowing what alternatives are available for solving irritable bowel syndrome can provide you with new and different steps to healing. Getting your digestive tract back to normal will help you in relieving discomfort and other problems. By knowing what alternative solutions are, it will provide you with more options to solve the problem and move back to healthy digestion.


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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