| IBS is a very common disorder of the intestines | | | | certain: it never causes permanent harm to the |
| recognized by the medical community as a form of | | | | intestines and does not lead to intestinal bleeding or to |
| chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Though it produces no | | | | a serious disease like cancer. Although the symptoms |
| significant damage to the lining of the intestinal walls, it | | | | of IBS can be controlled through specific medication |
| causes a series of ongoing symptoms that greatly | | | | combined with stress management, the best approach |
| affects the patient's quality of life. Unlike many other | | | | to this disorder is prevention. Some food types have a |
| conditions affecting the colon, IBS is rather tricky as | | | | noticeable influence on the development of IBS and |
| nobody knows for sure what causes it. Consequently, | | | | also worsen the symptoms. Thus they may be |
| finding a cure is a very difficult thing to do and there is | | | | viewed as potential causes of this syndrome. Avoiding |
| no guarantee that what cures one patient will be | | | | such elements from your daily diet will prevent |
| effective for another. There are several theories | | | | flare-ups and ensure a more natural digestion. Caffeine |
| about the causes of IBS. Some doctors believe it | | | | (found in tea, coffee and other beverages), chocolate, |
| develops due to the inflammation of the stomach and | | | | alcohol and carbonated drinks are known to trigger |
| intestinal linings; others consider it is caused by an | | | | IBS. Another common cause of this syndrome is red |
| overgrowth of Candida (yeast that lives in the | | | | meat and so is fatty fried food. Sugar and artificial |
| digestive tract). A very popular theory casts the blame | | | | sweeteners like aspartame, as well as gluten, a protein |
| on people's over-sensitivity to different types of food | | | | found in barley, rye and wheat, also play an important |
| but emotional conflict or stress may sometimes trigger | | | | part in the occurrence of IBS but nothing seems to |
| this disorder or worsen its symptoms. As you probably | | | | beat dairy products and citrus fruits (including natural |
| know, the normal bowel function varies from person to | | | | fruit juice), which are top of the list for most people |
| person, ranging from three stools a day to three a | | | | affected by IBS. Yet, there are many other consumers |
| week. Similarly, the symptoms may be different - | | | | of such foods who never complain about feeling any |
| constipation in some patients and diarrhoea in others | | | | discomfort after drinking the usual cup of milk before |
| (not to mention the possibility that both symptoms | | | | going to bed (or after eating a much-longed for juicy |
| should occur alternatively, which makes the situation | | | | orange on a hot summer day). It all depends on the |
| even more annoying). Besides these frequent or | | | | individual sensitivity to certain types of food, which |
| infrequent bowel movements, the symptoms of IBS | | | | means that a carefully-balanced diet from an early |
| include abdominal pain and cramping, gas, bloating and | | | | age will also prevent this syndrome from striking later |
| sometimes even weight loss. In some cases | | | | in life. |
| symptoms like anorexia nervosa, anxiety and | | | | Get help for your IBS and get tips and tricks to cure |
| depression make things much worse. IBS may bring | | | | your irritable bowel syndrome. |
| about a lot of discomfort and distress but one thing is | | | | |