An Avoidable Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS]

“It’s drastic. The symptoms are painful. There’s diarrhea and abdominal pain or constipation and bloating. I cannot commit to anything too far in advance or anything that is regularly occurring. It greatly affects my life”. Millions of Canadians can sympathize with this dramatic statement of an IBS Self Help Group member. What exactly is IBS, who gets it and why? Are there any promising treatment options available? 

Never before in the history of Canada have there been more reported and diagnosed cases of gastrointestinal tract (GI) disorders. Almost all of us suffer once in a while from discomforting disorders such as diarrhea, constipation or stomach upset. Yet, there is a far more serious and progressive disorder that is rarely talked about in public but is associated with far-reaching consequences, for all individuals who suffer from it: IBS! Last year, an estimated six million Canadians were suffering from IBS.[1] The symptoms of IBS have a “detrimental impact on a patient’s ability to work and play” according to Dr. Gail Attara, Executive Director of The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research. Although there is simply no quality of life for people with IBS, only one in 20 seek medical treatment, probably because of the social stigma associated with the bowel. I view of the life-threatening consequences IBS most likely represents in the long run, maybe it is about time to talk about it and address a few facts.

Most common symptoms   

The American IBS Self Help Group offers a pretty comprehensive list of typical symptoms:[2]

-       Severe bloating

-       Severe stomach cramps and abdominal pain

-       Constipation

-       Lower back pain

-       Diarrhea

-       Chronic fatigue

-       Heartburn and acid stomach

Western medicine classifies IBS as a functional disorder. It characterizes a disorder or disease that generally cannot be diagnosed in a traditional way; that is as an inflammatory, infectious, or structural abnormality that can be seen by commonly used examination, x-ray or blood test. Isn’t it comforting to know that orthodox medicine has no answer other than symptomatic therapy in the absence of proper cause elaboration?

De-mystifying IBS – Likely Causes

The disorder is currently believed to be multi faceted. In people with IBS, symptoms result from what appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the gut, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility or sensory function.[3]

IBS is almost certainly caused by eating and lifestyle habits. Medical scholars agree on the negative effects that so-called ‘luxury foods’ (e.g. cheese, red wine, chocolate, processed foods) may have on the digestive system. Yeast, refined sugar, starch, coffee and tea are also known to aggravate an IBS condition. The excess gas and other symptoms of IBS may also be caused by overgrowth of certain ‘bad’ bacteria within the small intestine.[4]

Interestingly enough, most studies link the occurrence of IBS-related symptoms to stress. That appears logical since our GI is linked to the nervous system. ‘Bad’ stress could be the trigger mechanism as there is often a high level of serotonin present in the GI of IBS patients.

IBS is not a disease that suddenly occurs but is the result of a long process of interdependent events: First, bacterial imbalance occurs and fungi settle in the intestine walls, causing inflammation, swelling and even periodic fever. Over time, food digestion becomes poorer and poorer as membranes of the small intestine increasingly become impermeable. Bleeding may develop and is visible in stool. The patient feels weaker and weaker as the body’s capacity to transport nutrients to cells and vital organs diminishes. Chronic fatigue and severe pain become routine features of patient’s lifestyle. As nutrients act as fuel for our cells, a deficiency can prove dangerous over time as our cells defense mechanism wears off. The likely consequence: We are more prone to serious sickness and disease.

Limitations of Orthodox Medicine

Conventional medicine usually relies on symptomatic therapy as antispasmodics like Hyoscyamine are prescribed for pain and postprandial urgency. Antidiarrheals, antibiotics and hydrobenzoic acid are also given to IBS patients. All medications merely provide temporary relief from the symptoms associated with the disorder but do not manage to cure patients. Besides, the side effects can be quite severe and range from xerostomia to tachycardia.

More recently, a new class of drugs has been engineered to treat IBS. This new type of drug (Zelnorm) is also known as gastrointestinal serotonin receptor agonist, i.e. it suppresses the trigger mechanism but fails to deal with the actual cause – lifestyle and diet. Zelnorm can also not deal with bacterial imbalance and fungal infections of the small intestine. Is there any hope or chance for cure?

Natural Alternatives

Researching for promising alternatives to treat IBS can be an interesting exercise. Literally 100s of cures seem to be out there: Acupuncture, psychotherapy, spiritual therapy, massage therapy, bowel cleansing, acidophilus supplementation, detoxification and adherence to strict diets seem to be the most popular alternative treatments available. Do they really help?  IBS is a complex, progressive disorder that cannot be healed over night. It takes sometimes decades to develop symptoms. After interviewing some IBS patients, dieticians and alternative health practitioners, it appears obvious to me that there is no quick fix, but there are credible options available to at least achieve lasting progress and significantly improve the quality of life of all IBS patients.

Recommendations

Based on the multi-faceted causes of IBS it seems obvious that no single pill will bring the cure. A complex treatment plan based on historic evidence and common sense is offering the most promising results. Let me describe the different areas of treatment and their role in achieving lasting improvement.

Stress Management

Less stress and thus serotonin levels in the GI is crucial in order to reduce frequency and intensity of outbreaks. Supplementation with yeast- and gluten-free mega b complex may help to attain that goal, according to Prescription for Nutritional Healing.[5]

Bacterial Balance

Restoration of a healthy bacterial balance is the key to long-term health and functioning of the GI. Rather than killing good and bad bacteria by using antibiotics, one should use probiotics or foods which contain good bacteria (acidophilus). A jar of Kefir for breakfast is usually sufficient.

Healing intestine walls

High-potency, standardized aloe vera is known to be beneficial as it heals inflamed intestine walls. Unfortunately, poor quality aloe has hampered the reputation of this magic plant as a GI healer. My advice: Choose IASC-certified product with guaranteed bioactivity for reliable, maximum effect of aloe. Another interesting plant which offers benefits for the GI is the Indian Neem tree. Neem extract in combination with Neem oil is used in the Ayurveda to treat fungal infections and stomach ulcers. It can therefore be of tremendous benefit for treatment of IBS as fungal overgrowth has been identified as one of the chief causes.

Diet

No lasting improvement can be attained if the patient does not change one other major cause of IBS: DIET! Initially, the patient should refrain from eating any food that may produce gas in the GI. Cabbage, cauliflower, onions, prunes, apples etc. fall under this category and should be avoided for a while. Also, food which contains yeast and fungus is not advisable for consumption (i.e. no cheese and wine for a while).

The intake of processed foods, starch, refined sugar, coffee and other nutritional atrocities should be minimized if the patient is interested in lasting improvements of his wellness.

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Health in balance with nature