IBS and Food (Intolerance, Allergies and Sensitivities)

When a person’s immune structure reacts to normal food substances, which are taken by all as harmless eatables, they are considered to be suffering from food allergy. When you have a food allergy your immune system will release chemicals which in turn result in a variety of symptoms, like the gastrointestinal ones, vomiting, nausea, pain in the abdominal region, etc. Sometimes they will also suffer from symptoms associated with allergies which include rashes, itching, and swelling of lips, throat infection and breathing problems.

You will be surprised to hear that in the traditional sense these are rare cases of true food allergies. Studies have pointed at IBS conditions to be the cause for some reactions, also suggesting that if we restrict those foods, IBS symptoms may also vanish. This theory has been criticized by the fact that the allergies were diagnosed through the finding of substances in their blood called Immunologlobulin G (IgG). These are antibodies which fight infectious conditions in the body. They are not deemed trustworthy in the case of diagnosing food allergy. But despite these findings, it is worth considering this factor, because when the subject restricts the intake of these foods, which was the cause of the allergic, a reduction of IBS symptoms is shown to happen.

• Dairy products like milk, poultry products like eggs, chicken, red meat, pork, lamp and wheat, all of which are common food items were considered as causing a food allergy.

• When some of these foods were eliminated, there were reduced IBS symptoms like frequency of pain, and abdominal bloating, also improved life quality, a feeling of control over IBS and rectum functioning in an improved manner.

• As well, good response from patients to adapt to the restricted diet, who also found greater improvement in their condition.

• If you try to cheat on diet, the condition worsens.

If you try to distinguish organic GI disorders from IBS and food allergies, it is found that IBS is associated with straining, diarrhea and bloating of the abdomen, than organic disease which can cause loss of appetite and difficulties in upper abdominal reflux. When symptoms in IBS patients and food allergy patients were compared it was found that lower abdominal pain, frequent pain and bloating is more likely to occur in IBS patients, which is relieved from having a bowel movement.

To ascertain whether you are suffering from a food allergy, you should consult your doctor to determine your conditions through diagnostic tests. Similarly maintain a food diary to examine your eating patterns, and the symptoms that you may develop after consuming them. After identifying a particular food as potential factor, you should follow an elimination diet, and examine how restricting that food has affected you.

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Rome III Criteria and IBS Symptoms

Every one of us at some point of time has experienced intestinal disorders like diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, bloating and gas. But when all these irritations overwhelm a person continuously, it may refer to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS symptoms should be properly diagnosed to warrant appropriate treatment.

Primarily diagnosed as functional disorder, IBS does not tend to exhibit any kind of noticeable sickness. In order to distinguish that a particular person is suffering of usually passing digestive disorders, from IBS, medical profession have now fallen back on what is known as Rome III criteria. This criterion when adopted for diagnosing a person as indeed having IBS, mandatory associates the following IBS symptoms with the disorder:

a) That the digestive disorders mentioned above must have been present in the patient for a minimum period of six months,

b) That these disorders must have manifested at least on three days during the last three months.

c) The IBS symptoms should include constant recurring pain or discomfort in the abdominal area, associated with the following two or more factors:

• Bowel movement usually relieves pain.
• Pain begins with the change in composition of stool – soft, or harder.
• Pain begins with the change in the regular cycle of bowel movement.

IBS symptoms can be medically diagnosed only on the basis of continuous pain in the abdominal area, combined with a noticeable change in your bowel movement habits. IBS in the context of an individual patient might mean a combination of the symptoms including abdominal pain, which is relieved after a bowel movement; Constipation – strained movement of bowels, with fewer than three bowel movements a day, or hard/dry stools; diarrhea – feeling of urgency for bowel movement, with more than three bowel movement per day, or watery loose stools; feeling of incomplete evacuation, passage of mucus or gas and bloating. IBS symptoms can be broadly classified into three types, one with predominant constipation, second – predominant diarrhea, and third kind with symptoms alternating between diarrhea and constipation.

There are certain IBS symptoms which are usually of serious and upsetting nature, leaving the people wonder whether there has been wrong diagnosis and whether the attending medical people have not been able to consider a more serious disorder in their health. Given below are the symptoms which are not associated with IBS, and therefore which should be investigated further to know the reasons for their manifestation.

a) nausea;
b) fever;
c) significant and unexplained weight loss
d) fatigue
e) presence of blood in the stool due to hemorrhoids, which should be immediately brought to doctor’s notice
f) Anemic conditions, bloodlessness in the body;
g) Pain in the abdomen which isn’t relieved by bowel movement
h) Pain in the abdomen which disturbs sleeps and awakens the patient.
i) Decrease in food intake/Loss of appetite

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IBS and the FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) Connection

Why does a large portion of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) complain of disorders which can be called as extra intestinal symptoms such as rashes, headaches, and muscular pains? Findings from research have established that around 60% of IBS patients also have Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). Conversely, around 70% of FMS patients also have complained of IBS symptoms. Is their a relationship between these two conditions and what is the connection between both of these? There have been a number of studies in various parts of the world to establish this connection.

Fibromyalgia is a functional disorder which affects the musculoskeletal system, which is related to such complaints as general muscular aches, stiffness, fatigue, and poor sleeping habits, with varied conditions of severity and duration; the pain may be dull or stabbing like, intermitted or constantly lingering. This is recognized as a functional disorder similar to IBS. An estimated 3.35% females and 5% males suffer from FMS.

Now to find out whether there is a connection between these two conditions of IBS-FMS, especially in the wake of co-existence of IBS and FM in a number of people. Going by statistics we should say that there is possibilities of both have a connection. The similarities between these two conditions, beyond the fact that IBS confines to the gastrointestinal tract while FMS to the musculoskeletal system, have to be considered. Both of them are not organic diseases; since they are construed as functional disorders. In both the cases it is the women who suffer from these conditions very often, and when it sets in it is considered a very stressful period. Both the conditions are prescribed with Cognitive behavior therapy and certain types of prescription drugs.

Both type of patients, as per studies; respond to pain in a very different manner, than other persons without these conditions. IBS sufferers seem to have a different response to the intestinal pain, while FMS condition throws up another type of response to skin and muscle pain. Studies have also in expected manner shown that people having both these symptoms have a different kind of response to both kinds of pain.

Though the studies point out to a common mechanism for both the conditions, their origins are still shrouded in mystery. In fact medical fraternity has very recently recognized both IBS and FMS as functional disorders with some legitimacy and not as psychosomatic problems. Since studies on these conditions are still in their primary phase, and studied connecting both have been sparse researchers will hopefully take renewed interest in establishing the connection between IBS and FMS.

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Food Restrictions And Diarrhea for IBS

There are restrictions on certain food that you can and cannot indulge in when you have Diarrhea. Certain edibles are likely to aggravate the system, by increasing the contractions of the intestines, which you should keep away from. These foods are likely to only worsen the condition, and hence avoid them to deal effectively with Diarrhea.

If you had an attack of Diarrhea, avoid all lactose diary products for some time, though you may not have lactose intolerance. The important lactose containing foods are butter, cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese. The reason is: Diarrheal conditions usually reduce the enzyme lactase content in the system. For digesting lactose, the system certainly needs lactase, which refers to the sugar present in dairy products. If the milk sugar is not digested, you may further suffer from bloating, vomiting, gas, and Diarrhea.

You should also avoid eating high fat content items, which may only increase intestinal contractions. Since your system is already in a sensitized condition, high fat content items like fried foods, greasy items, and creamy eatables can only worsen the condition.

When you had suffered from a diarrhea attack, you should also avoid artificial sweeteners which are known to produce laxative effect, apart from increasing gas and bloating in your system. Till you feel relieved of Diarrhea, avoid taking such items as diet soda, sugar-free candy, sugar-free gum, sugar substitutes for tea and coffee.

Some vegetables are known for their capability to increase gas in the intestinal system, which could aggravate your diarrhea, and hence should be avoided. These vegetables include beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions and peas.

If you are in the peak of health, many beverages containing caffeine or alcohol as well as carbonated drinks do not result in Diarrhea, but all of these items are individually capable of causing irritation in GI tract, and therefore it is advised to keep away from these items till you have recovered.

Unsafe foods

Remember even a very healthy individual should always make appoint to eat food which has been properly washed, safely prepared, and stored in a scientific manner. If you consume foods which are not properly prepared and stored, it will endanger your gastrointestinal tract and cause Diarrhea.  Food hygiene is important and therefore you are advised to ensure that you go through the rigor of the following precautionary measures, every time you take food.

•    Remember to clean your hands, both before preparing or eating any food.

•    All raw vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly. The place where food is prepared must be cleaned with soap and hot water before and after using the place.

•    All foods should be cooked to a temperature of 160 F.

•    After eating, leftovers must be immediately refrigerated or frozen.

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Sugar Intolerance And IBS

Latest research finds have pointed out at a high relationship between sugar found in lactose, sorbitol and fructose, and IBS. If you are suffering from IBS condition, these findings will help you to know whether sugar intolerance is causing the symptoms in your system. Here are the details of the research.

Sugar Intolerance Combinations

Sugar intolerance is also linked with functional bowel disease, by a small research study which involved HBT given to 25 patients, who had consumed a combination of solutions, including lactose, sorbitol, fructose, sucrose, and a blend of fructose and sorbitol. A high 90% showed sugar intolerance to at least one of the above sugars. When the consumption of this particular substance was restricted 40% of them found marked improvement.

Another research study recorded results from studying 239 patients with functional bowel disorders, found 94 had diagnostic criteria for IBS, while others had functional complaints. When they were subjected to hydrogen and methane tests, 90% of them were found to have intolerance, while maximum number were showing sugar intolerance to more than one sugar. Diet restrictions resulted symptom improvement in more than 50% of the patients.

Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth

Another group maintains that small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is of importance in IBS symptomatology, suggesting that SIBO can be diagnosed through use of hydrogen breath testing (HBT), after lactulose, which cannot be digested by the body, is ingested. It was construed that bacteria present in the small intestine brings fermentation, which shows up in the rising hydrogen breath levels, after an individual drinks lactulose solution. The underlying problem was SIBO and not lactose intolerance, as per a larger study on 98 IBS sufferers for SIBO and sugar intolerance who discovered that those tested positive for lactose intolerance, also tested positive on lactulose breath testing. These IBS patients were appreciably more likely to have positive HBTs after lactose, fructose and sorbitol are ingested, than those without SIBO. SIBO patients were later administered antibiotics to avoid a positive response to lactulose test. The conclusions point out at SIBO as the reason for positive intolerance testing, while in reality they may not have sugar intolerance.

Though there have been different opinions about the basic problem, these studies have clearly established a relationship between sugar intolerance and IBS. Therefore an IBS sufferer can evaluate the role of lactose, fructose, and sorbitol intolerance apart from SIBO in taking notice how it effects them when they have ingested anything that contains the above sugars. Therefore consult your doctor to know whether he recommends a sugar intolerance test. Also, try to maintain a food diary, and eliminate foods to find out whether by limiting sugars in your diet your condition gets better.

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IBS Diarrheal Diet

When you are suffering from chronic Diarrhea disorder, what you eat and how to eat becomes a major consideration in controlling the disorder. While there is nothing classified as a Diarrheal diet, the following eating strategy consisting of four easy ways you will make sure that your diet is not aiding it further.

1.     Aim for small meals

Patients suffering from IBS are taught to easily identify trigger foods, which usually cause the irritation. While certain food items certainly don’t go well with the GI tract, causing greater irritation, at times the size of the meal also aggravates the situation and a large meal might immediately bring about a violent response. Larger sized meals usually result in escalation of contractions in the intestines, necessitating urgent visits to the restroom, which is a symptom of Diarrhea. The first rule of a Diarrheal diet is to restrict the size of your meals.
2. Opt for low fat meals

The second rule of Diarrheal diet is to avoid high content of fat in the meals. High fat also might cause intensive intestinal contractions, and it is best advised to keep away from fried, oily and creamy-layered food. Higher fat content is certainly present in fried foods and oily food items. Dairy products like cheese contain a high fat content, and it is best advised that you keep off from such high fat content items, so that your system works in a more rhythmic order and your condition gets mitigated through such a low fat content meals.
3. Smaller meals throughout the day

Another important aspect of Diarrheal diet is to ensure you take smaller portions of food throughout the day. Many patients suffering from Diarrhea-predominant IBS try to be on empty stomach to avoid unnecessary visits to restrooms. Instead, you should eat smaller meals throughout the day, giving a chance to your digesting system to get back a rhythm in its functioning, and also ensure that you are not hungry and as such you don’t go for larger meals at the end of the day. Hence the third cardinal principle of Diarrheal diet is to – smaller size meals throughout the day.
4. Quieter times are testing times!

You should also ponder over the reasons for Diarrhea. Should you blame only the foods for this condition? Remember, Diarrhea can be caused even due to stressed conditions or changes in your hormones. Identify these trouble mongers, before opting for stronger medical starvations. Remember if you restrict food you are likely to suffer from deficiency in nutrition. When your system is quiet, you should test foods which you suspect of giving you Diarrhea, to determine whether they are the trouble mongers.

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Managing IBS Pain

Pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is usually relieved with bowel movement. However, a person may continue to feel unexplained tenderness, contractions and aching, unconnected with bowel movements. Abdominal uneasiness or pain of this nature is usually a key indication of IBS. This uneasiness/pain may be present anywhere in the region between hips and chest which can change over a period of time. IBS pain is described as a cramp-like, sharp stabbing pain, also known as a stomach migraine.

In general IBS pain is directly associated with our bowel movements. This explains why we feel a reduced amount of pain after moving bowels. Also, when there is a change in the regular cycle of bowel movements the uneasiness manifests. Similarly when there is a change in the composition of stools, soft or harder, the pain and uneasiness is usually felt.

During a recent study on 1,966 people suffering from IBS, done by IFFGD in association with the UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, it was discovered that this pain is one of the basic factors which adds to the harshness of their IBS. Eighty percent of the study patients confirmed that it is the sharpness of pain which makes their condition severe.

Among other factors, 74% referred to bowel movements, 69% to bloating and another 69% to the diet or eating restrictions which are noted as the reasons for the severity of IBS pain. It is common for people with IBS to experience frequent abdominal pain, while some feel it in a continuous manner. The people who participated in this survey have described this pain in various ways calling it as unbearable, intense, excruciating or merely awful.

The most important aspect of IBS pain is that it changes from time to time, day to day, hour to hour, and even minute to minute. As noted above, IBS pain may be felt along the entire region of the abdomen, and essentially it can be classified as upper abdominal pain, which is felt as a result of bloating, with a tendency to worsen after every meal or a cramping pain which is usually felt around the belly button and lower parts of abdomen, and lastly the lower abdominal pain which generally reduces with bowel movement.

IBS pain can change instantaneously, the range of pain can fluctuate from mild to constant to unbearable. IBS has been described as a wrenching ache which feels a “stitch-like”, stabbing pain. It is also described as frequent aches, tenderness when you feel the area, and the discomfiture associated with bloating.

The parts of abdominal area, where the IBS pain manifests distinguishes it from other digestive malfunctions: After-meal pain felt from behind the sternum, which worsens when you lie down is likely to be heartburn, after-meal pain below the sternum, on top of abdomen may be due to indigestion. It is important note these characteristics of IBS pain.

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IBS and Fructose Intolerance

Fructose is a kind of sugar, a single sugar, present in fruits and vegetables. Fructose is also found in some sweeteners which substitute actual sugars in the market. Does the fructose intolerance also play role in the IBS? Some studies suggest that they contribute indirectly. Fructose is processed in the liver and this process ends up circumventing the signaling system for normal appetite and thus appetite-regulating hormones aren’t triggered which leaves you feeling unsatisfied which in turn makes you eat more which will aggravate your IBS as the system isn’t able to process fast enough.  Though the information provided is only fundamental, it is necessary to understand the way on which fructose intolerance may also be affecting your intestinal tract, causing symptoms like belching, pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion.

Hydrogen breath (HBT) test establishes Fructose intolerance, by measuring the quantity of hydrogen in the breath after ingesting a solution of fructose. If there is a rise in breath hydrogen it means you have fructose intolerance. The large intestine is affected by the increase in fermentation caused by the bacteria present in the small intestines and when compared to a normal person without fructose intolerance; fructose is digested by enzymes in the small intestine linings, without working its way to colon.

Research studies have compared healthy persons against those who were self-diagnosed as suffering from fructose intolerance, who have felt bloated after consuming particular kind of fruits. The results thrown by this small study on 8 patients, is interesting. The self- diagnosed persons showed increased hydrogen levels and experienced bloating and flatulence, after drinking the a solution of fructose, which was not the case with the healthy group.

Another study of a larger number of people also established similar findings. From a group of 183 people, three-quarters of them showed abdominal symptoms after ingesting the solution of fructose. They suffered immediately from flatulence, abdominal pain, bloating, belching and a changed bowel movement. The findings contribute to the knowledge that fructose intolerance in IBS worsens their situation.

Another research group tried establishing the connection between unexplained pain symptoms in the abdomen in children with fructose intolerance by giving different dosages of fructose solutions to a group of children. HBT showed positive in 13 children. When the dose size with a larger quantity of fructose was given, it found that a larger number of children tested positive. Some of these children were given a fructose restricted diet later, and according to this study, many of the children showed rapid improvement in the system after following the diet.

Similarly, adults with IBS were subjected to fructose intolerance test, the findings were surprising. One-third of IBS patients showed positive HBT result after a solution of fructose was ingested into them. A follow up assessment program after one year, where again had amazing results as a majority of IBS patients showed improvement and confirmed relief from the symptoms of  belching, pain in the abdomen, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and indigestion.

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Free Guide on The Top 7 Tips to Avoid IBS

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Irritable bowel syndrome also know as Spastic Colon. It is a chronic intestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and cramps, constipation, and diarrhea. Its causes get the food which an individual has eaten.

Usually, milk and dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and gas-producing foods such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower will aggravate an individual that has Irritable bowel syndrome also know as Spastic Colon.

The intensity and frequency can fluctuate greatly from one person to the another.

This guide will provide you with tips that an individual can consider to adopt to get relief fast.

The guide is 100% free and you can download it now!

Constipation Due To IBS

People who have irritable bowel syndrome will normally suffer from diarrhea at some point in time. Some people with IBS also suffer from constipation and some of them have both diarrhea and constipation as alternate conditions. Constipation is a very normal medical complaint among many people and over 2 billion visits to doctors occur due to constipation. But there are many ways of treating as well as avoiding constipation.

People who are suffering from constipation specially constipation due to IBS should resort to following a fiber rich diet. Fiber is very essential for people who have been afflicted with IBS. There are two basic kinds of fiber namely soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. There are many advantages to having soluble fiber namely it reduces the symptoms of IBS. Fiber helps in preventing the convulsions and it keeps the colon distended by absorbing water. This will help in preventing the stools from becoming too hard and difficult to remove from the body. Plenty of fiber should be included in the diet to ensure that the stools are soft and hence they can be removed from the body easily. The initial introduction to a fiber diet can cause a lot of gas and bloating and these symptoms will reduce as the body gets readjusted. Fiber can also be added to the diet by using fiber supplements.

Many people suffer from the problem of dehydration though they are not aware of it. Dehydration for a long period of time can lead to constipation. Eight glasses of water of eight ounces each should be consumed everyday on a regular basis. Drinks containing caffeine should be avoided since they cause dehydration. Water should be consumed at regular intervals during the day in order to avoid dehydration.

The dearth of regular exercise is also another reason for dehydration. Many people are aware that regular exercise is very essential in order to maintain the overall health of the body. This also helps in providing relief from constipation. Thirty minutes of exercise everyday is the recommendation of the US surgeon general. This can even mean taking a brisk walk. This will be adequate to maintain and improve overall health.

People who are having very severe constipation will be tempted to resort to using laxatives. Laxatives can easily be obtained over the counter at any pharmacy or drug store. But extreme care and precaution needs to be exercised while using these laxatives since they can sometimes damage the colon. They will damage the nerves of the colon and due to this the colon will find it difficult to contract and pass stools properly. When enemas are used too often, they will start affecting the nerves of the colon. There are many different kinds of foods, which perform the function of natural laxatives. People having diarrhea IBS will want to avoid these foods while people having constipation IBS would love to have these foods.

Regular constipation can lead to further problems like hemorrhoids and other anal fissures. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins, which occur as a result of the strain involved in passing stools. A burning sensation, itching and bleeding are some of the symptoms. A fissure is a tear near the anal canal, which is the last portion of the rectum before the anus. People suffering from fissures will have painful bowel movements as well as bleeding. The pressure on the anal canal needs to be reduced in order to treat fissures.

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