Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common digestive ailment that people see a doctor for. It is estimated to affect 10-15% of the adult population and is more common with females. IBS also occurs in children and is common in adolescents. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, gas, stool mucus, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or alternating constipation and diarrhea. People with IBS often experience other conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic pelvic pain. There are three main types of IBS which include:
There are different root causes for IBS. Research has shown that genetics (more common if a family member has IBS), stressful life events, and infection of your digestive tract. At a deeper level there is more going on. As I discussed in the book, leaky gut and dysbiosis are common issues with IBS and need to be addressed for multiple reasons.When one has leaky gut, it causes an inflammatory response in the small intestine which can cause digestive symptoms. Also, leaky gut contributes to food sensitivities or intolerances, which are common for people with IBS. Moreover, problems with dysbiosis leads to inflammation in the digestive tract as well as fermentation and gas production. And there is the common problem of undiagnosed chronic infections in the gut. This is why testing such as stool analysis and breath testing for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth can be helpful. A lot of people with IBS have problems with fungal overgrowth in the gut, particularly Candida albicans. As I discussed earlier in the book, fungi and yeast such as Candida are a normal part of the flora (mycobiome) but due to diet, antibiotic use, and other factors, the Candida can overgrow. Overgrowth of Candida contributes to gas, bloating, loose stool, and abdominal cramping. There can be other infectious agents in the gut causing problems such as parasitic or bacterial infections. In addition, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO) is a common cause of IBS. Some research has found that up to 80% of people with IBS have SIBO. There are three main types of SIBO which I will discuss later in this article.
There can be a connection between IBS and other digestive problems. We know that people with IBS are more likely to experience dyspepsia (indigestion) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux). The effects of stress are acknowledged in medicine as a root cause or trigger of IBS for some people. It is known that people with IBS are more likely to have problems with mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, and somatic disorder (anxiety about physical symptoms). If you notice your IBS flares up when under stress (mental, emotional, physical), then it is important to follow the recommendations in chapter 5.
Another factor with IBS is the role of food sensitivities. It is not uncommon to that people with IBS have intolerances to certain foods. Most often these food reactions are delayed and not immediate. This can make it harder to pinpoint the offending foods. One can follow a hypoallergenic diet by eliminating common food sensitivities such as dairy, gluten, corn, soy, citrus, and peanuts for two to four weeks and see if there is a reduction in gut symptoms. If so, one can add back the foods every 3 to 5 days and see which food(s) are problematic. From there one can restrict or rotate those food sensitivities. Another technique would be to pick a common food sensitivity group (i.e. dairy) and avoid that food group only for a week and see if there is improvement. One food could be tested every week or so to figure out sensitivities. Another option is to have food sensitivity blood testing done through a lab. Food antibody tests are available which can help take the guesswork out of identifying food sensitivities. If you have more than five food sensitivities, or if you seem to be developing food sensitivities over time, then be suspicious of leaky gut syndrome and take the appropriate steps in healing your gut to reverse the overactive immune response to foods.
Consume a healthy diet that restricts fast foods and focuses on unprocessed foods. The Modified Mediterranean Diet in Chapter 7 is dairy and gluten free which works well for many people with IBS. Try increasing the amount of fiber in your diet gradually over time. You may find that some vegetables need to be lightly cooked or steamed until your digestion has improved.
At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine we can test the root causes of your IBS.
Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, MS, is a bestselling author in private practice in Encinitas, California, at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. His newsletter, Dr. Stengler’s Health Breakthroughs, is available at www.markstengler.com and his product line at www.drstengler.com
