| Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic condition but in | | | | condition. However, biopsies from the large gut of |
| spite of extensive research, our understanding of the | | | | Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients have not shown |
| causative elements are still embryonic. The symptoms | | | | inflammation. |
| are different in individual sufferers and in individual | | | | The inflammatory module triggered the idea that in IBS |
| sufferers the symptoms can vary from time to time. | | | | the large gut is colonised by bad bacteria. Since |
| This makes it difficult to pin point one specific cause. | | | | Helicobacter pylori was implicated in stomach problems |
| As symptoms in some Irritable Bowel Syndrome | | | | and good bacteria had conferred benefits in other gut |
| patients worsen after meals, it is suggested that IBS is | | | | conditions, probiotics were used to treat IBS. The |
| a dietary problem. This, however, is a natural | | | | results vary. There are two main types of good |
| phenomenon. Food intake stimulates increase intestinal | | | | bacteria in the gut. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.There |
| activity. This is the gastro-colic reflex. In Irritable Bowel | | | | are very good trial results for some and poor results |
| Syndrome, this effect is exaggerated and symptoms | | | | for others. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has shown |
| develop. There is no clear evidence that food reaction | | | | benefits in women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It |
| is a cause of IBS but certain foods can aggravate | | | | helped both diarrhoea and constipation. Trials, however, |
| symptoms. Lactose intolerance and gluten allergy | | | | have been hampered by low numbers, variable criteria |
| (Coeliac Disease) are considered separate from IBS. | | | | and different species of good bacteria. The Mayo |
| Some experts suggest that Irritable Bowel Syndrome | | | | Clinic reviewed trial results and concluded that |
| is a motility disorder. In IBS the transit time of passage | | | | probiotics for IBS are largely ineffective. |
| of food through the gut is altered. If it is too slow, more | | | | Some experts think that Candida is a cause of IBS. If |
| water is absorbed from the faecal residue resulting in | | | | this was this case antifungal treatment would help. A |
| constipation. If it is too fast, not enough water is | | | | subgroup of gastroenterologists thinks IBS is a |
| absorbed and diarrhoea results. The chaotic behaviour | | | | hypersensitivity disorder. It is recognised that |
| of the gut in IBS results in variable transit time and can | | | | symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be |
| cause constipation and/ or diarrhoea. There is no clear | | | | triggered by stress, drugs and food. Certain food will |
| evidence that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is simply a | | | | trigger significant worsening of symptoms. It is still |
| motility disorder. | | | | unclear whether hypersensitivity of the gut is a cause |
| As much as 25% of people with Irritable Bowel | | | | of IBS. |
| Syndrome admit that their IBS developed after a | | | | The more plausible cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
| severe bout of gastroenteritis. This is more often | | | | is a faulty Brain-Gut connection. The Gut has its own |
| bacterial. During gastroenteritis, serotonin level in the | | | | nervous system called the Enteric Nervous System |
| blood is elevated. High level of this hormone causes | | | | and is connected to the brain via the Vagus nerve. |
| diarrhoea. In individuals that go on to develop Irritable | | | | The body-mind aspect of IBS is becoming very |
| Bowel Syndrome, the serotonin level remains high. This | | | | popular with experts. Stress can cause diarrhoea and |
| results in diarrhoea-predominant IBS. | | | | depression can result in constipation. |
| This raises the possibility that IBS is an inflammatory | | | | |