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.