Learn from experience

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is also known as spastic colon. It is a digestive system disorder that presents as abdominal pain, bloating, cramps, excess mucus in stools, diarrhoea, and constipation. It occurs mainly in the daytime and not during sleep, although in some patients the need to defecate may awaken them early in the morning.

Irritable bowel syndrome usually manifests before the age of thirty and may affect up to one-quarter of the population in industrialized countries. The exact cause, or causes, of irritable bowel syndrome are unknown, but stress, depression, hypersensitivity to certain hormones, and pressure from gas, diet, and medications may contribute to the onset.

IBS does not usually lead to serious disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy (although there might be an association between IBS and the development of diverticulosis).

 

 

Who Is Affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

IBS is a disease predominantly of women (3:1 to men), and the average age of onset is 20-40.

 

What Are the Symptoms of IBS?

It is characterized by variable changes in peristalsis (the frequency and strength of muscular contractions in the intestines that transport digested food and, ultimately, faeces through the gastrointestinal tract). These changes, and the sufferer’s sensitivity to them, result in the classic symptoms of pain, diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of all three. In most patients, irritable bowel syndrome shows a tendency toward diarrhoea, constipation, or an alternation between the two.

Allopathic Treatment Options

Be careful with food combinations: especially avoid starch, sugar, protein combination. Avoid eating too many types of foods at one time. Stick to one type of starch per meal. Eat steamed vegetables rather than raw ones. Emphasis should be on a high complex carbohydrate, high fibre diet and food should be eaten slowly.

Complementary Treatment Options

Shiatsu is highly recommended for the treatment of IBS. As it is a holistic system, it treats cause and effect, benefiting the organs concerned while creating a feeling of wellbeing that reduces stress.

Peppermint oil capsules - Known to treat diarrhoea by blocking the movement of calcium into the muscle cells of the intestines, easing excessive muscle contractions.

Probiotics - These are the healthy bacteria found growing inside your large intestine that can help block the growth of harmful bacteria in your intestines, helping to reduce the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Soluble fibre powders are recommended for aiding in the treatment of constipation.

  

Pro-Holistic provides Shiatsu, Healing Chi Kung therapy, on-site massage, Stress Mangement courses, and Stress Mangement workshops. We also provide tuition in Chi Kung, Tai Chi, Neijia, and self defence.