(by Emilia Papadopollous)
IBS is an increasingly common bowel disorder that affects up to 20% of the population. There isn’t a known cause of IBS from a conventional medicine perspective, but there are several underlying factors that can contribute to the development of the condition, highlighting that each case of IBS requires a unique approach. As well as symptoms such as bloating, recurrent abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements and flatulence, people with IBS can often suffer with anxiety and depression which further impacts quality of life. A diagnosis may be given if more extensive testing has been done to rule out conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), but conclude nothing alarming. IBS can develop at any age, but for most it typically first appears in teenage years with women being more affected. There are currently four subtypes of IBS:
IBS‐C: Prone to constipation, which relates to having harder stools, or passing a bowel movement less than 3 times per week.
IBS‐D: Diarrhoea-associated IBS, with majority of bowel movements being loose or watery.
IBS‐M: A mix between constipation and diarrhoea. Some people may find they are constipated for a few days, and their bowel movement proceeding are loose.
IBS‐U: Unclassified – doesn’t fit any of the three subtypes above.
Taking a Holistic Approach to IBS
The areas that are commonly affected in IBS include poor digestion (for example insufficient production of stomach acid or digestive enzymes), an imbalance of gut bacteria (gut microbiome), motility issues, or poor integrity of the gut lining with low-grade inflammation. The central-nervous system also plays a role, with stress being a trigger, the role of the gut-brain axis and hypersensitivity of nerves within the gut. Diet and food sensitivities also play a role.
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