How close are we to understanding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)?
Here's my personal experiences and views on how I got it cured,As someone who suffered from IBS, I see that there are 2 sides of this.1 - Analyze what caused this problem, shutting down the source and eat what ever you like2 - You do not care about 1, and try to live with it by selecting foods that will not cause problems and treating the symptomsTalking about 2,See IBS as a whole load of symptoms generated due to an unknown reason. You keep treating the symptoms, but they never get eradicated and keep coming, may be doubled this time. It's a never ending vicious cycle. That's why they say there is no cure for this, by looking only the side 2. Talking about 1,Did we hear about this IBS 75 years ago? Is it the urban people or the village people who are suffering from IBS mostly? Before having IBS didn't you eat them all? These questions might give you an idea of the source of this problem. Modern instant food, fast food culture has reduced the people's digestive abilities, whilst in years back and in village life people never had this problem. For me also, moving from home to city for study and work caused this problem. It's the food with chemicals added that I ate in city and the no mineral / electrolyte purified water that I drank in city. This culture continued for years and ultimately dragged me in to IBS. But during the past days at home, I was eating healthy food added with digestive spices, eating fresh fruits and drinking healthy natural mineral water. So as you can see now, if we switch back to those natural ways we could eliminate this head ache permanently from the planet. The effect will be eradicated once the source is identified and eliminated. So while selecting compatible food types, you should also focus on better digestion techniques that would eliminate it. There are wonderful food suggestions stated every where. So follow them also and practice the elimination strategy too. I believe my answer Arjun Fnsk's answer to What is the best cure for IBS? How to live with it if there is none? would help you in this matter.Also please read Arjun Fnsk's answer to What are the good habits that would prevent various gastroenterology diseases? for the good practices we could follow, as elimination strategies for IBS.Wish you Good Luck!
IBS and Crohn's Disease?
Crohn's Disease is much worse to have than IBS which is more common (10-20% of the population experience this disorder). Although they both have common symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramping, Crohn's Disease can lead to obstruction along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), rectal bleeding, abscess, fistulas, ulcers, skin lesions, joint pain, severe weight loss in a short period and has the potential to affect the entire GIT. IBS on the other hand is more of a functional disorder and doesn't cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. In many cases, you can control IBS by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress. Check www.makershealth.com for more information.
What is the best dog food for a dog with IBD?
I have a dog with some terrible IBS symptoms, too. Nothing I fed him worked until I switched him to California Natural. After a few months on this food, his "issues" had disappeared. He still has some "softies" every now and then, but no more liquid stools, no more urgency (or going indoors), and the disgusting smell of his stools has vanished. I'm sure there are others that would work for your dog-this is the only one that worked for mine.
What is the best way to treat IBS?
The Cause : To me, it started after i had an acute Traveler's Diarrhea. A study reveal that the chances of IBS increases six folds after such an event. Having said that, I know a lot of people where stress, lifestyle changes, depression and junk food are among the contributors. The Cure : There exist no cure for this. However, with a combination of things I have been able to cure myself and i aim to improve as 'the cure' will be a life long one. The things are :5 A.M Wake up : Wake up at 5 A.M. For that you got to sleep early. Wake up, have plenty of water and attend to ablutions to start your day. Exercise : Hit the GYM. Do YOGA. Run a mile after an overnight fast. Yes, exercise is the best cure to this. Have a goal - make a schedule or follow a transformation program to push you at every corner. Push yourself to do better everyday. Pushing yourself would increase amount of dopa-mine in you resulting in 30 percent improvement of symptoms ( and not to mention numerous other benefits of exercise : high serotonin, runner's high, endorphins). With high dopamine - your bowl movements are slow.Have good meals : Have meals every 2.5 to 3 hrs. Your meals should be high in protein. Use L Glutamine as a supplement and drink 10 gms half an hour prior to every meal, unless you get better. Do include intake of healthy bacterias in your diet. Remember to take them frequently. Perform experiment on what food irritates your colon and eliminate those like-wise.Read : Read as much as you can. Choose whatever interest you. Self - improvement books would be great to start with. It is all about shifting your mindset to a positive one.Meditate : This is again of utmost importance. Do take time and sit at a peaceful place and connect with yourself, connect with nature. Start with 10 minutes a day and increase your time to an hour as you progress.Sleep : Sleep is again a vital job here. Yes sleep as it is your job. Sleep properly and wake up to a blasting morning.Happy : Last but not the least, Be happy. Live as if you have nothing to fear/worry about.All these things followed religiously will improve your life in 15 days. Trust me. And to have an everlasting health, keep performing them. Good Luck.
How do I know if I have IBS instead of leaky gut (and vice versa)?
Leaky gut is a hypothetical, unrecognized medical condition that some ‘Healthcare practitioners’ like to throw around. I would be suspicious of anyone that claims you have Leaky Gut.In other words, you can’t possibly have Leaky Gut Syndrome because as far as we know it does not even exist.In order to find out if you have IBS you have a couple of options:The first option is to check the ROME III criteria for an IBS diagnosis. Here is the official document: http://www.romecriteria.org/asse...In sum if you meet 2 or more of the A, B, C, criteria below… you have IBSIrritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnostic criterionRecurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days/month in the last3 months associated with two or more of the following:A. Improvement with defecationB. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stoolC. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stoolThe second option is very costly and involves a diagnosis by elimination. Basically you will do many GI diagnostic tests (upper and lower endoscopies, barium swallow, barium enema, MRI, etc…) and if nothing is found you will be classified as IBS.The third option only applies if you are American. It is also costly but definitely worth a try if you suspect your IBS started as a result of a recent bout of gastroenteritis. It is a recent blood test developed by Mark Pimentel. Take a look here at a video and the blood test website Irritable Bowel Syndrome TestingAt the end of the day even IBS is poorly defined, as with many functional gastrointestinal disorders. Good luck
How to diagnose IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)?
Is the only way to diagnose IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with a endoscopy or colonoscopy? Has anyone gotten medication for IBS without an edoscopy or colonoscopy? I have a referral to a GI but I do not want to go if I know for sure the only way to diagnose my IBS is with an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Is activated charcoal good for IBS?
No, it won't.Be aware that lactose intolerant people in places with low prevalence are often misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome, the kind with diarrhea.DIY lactose tolerance test: in quick succession drink 4 glasses of whatever milk (but not soy milk) and see if within 1/2 to 2 hours you'll have complains usually of bloating, passing gas, having belly cramps and imperative non bloody diarrhea. If so you're lactose intolerant like 2/3 of the world population.Some will feel better avoiding FODMAPs among which is fructose, ubiquitous in soft drinks and many processed foods in the USA.