| The G.I. Blues
"I can no longer participate
in consuming fun foods." "I feel bloated, distended
and uncomfortable after eating." "Why can I not
eat what I used to be able to eat years age?" These are
all frequent questions asked by patients that suffer from
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
IBS is a fairly common complaint.
Signs are distension, pencil-like stools, bloating, excessive
flatulence and, at times, lower left quadrant pain. It is
important that IBS be diagnosed and treated, as other disease
processes can mimic IBS.
There are various opinions
on IBS, stemming from psychogenic to food allergy and/or gastric
insult. The gastro intestinal lumen, i.e. the lining, is rich
in various chemical messengers and also plays a role in our
immunology. Some of the same neuropeptides in the gut are
also found within the brain; consequently, the psychogenic
factor.
Diet. It is importatn to rule
out food allergies. Perhaps the easiest way to start would
be to eliminate gliadin-containing foods, i.e. wheat and cut
back on diary products to see if that improves the symptoms.
Further dietary control can be sought with a paleo diet or
a specific carbohydrate diet.
Medications that can contribute
to Irritable Bowel include NSAIDS, cold medications and certain
antacids.
Botanicals/nutraceuticals
and prescriptive medications; These all play an intricate
role in helping relieve the signs and symptoms and even repairing
the gastric mucosa. Excellent studies have been done on glutamine
and essential fatty acid therapies. At times, mild digestive
enzymes can also be a benefit. Some patients have gotten relief
with a low dose prescriptive motility regulator.
Lifestyle. Extreme psychological
stress for long periods of time seems to be one of the major
culprits in IBS. At times biofeedback can be of great benefit
to patients suffering from IBS, along with yoga and an exercise
regime.
Diagnostics. It is important
to rule out fungal, bacterial and/or yeast. Also, it is a
good idea to have the immunology of the gut checked with an
intestinal secretory IgA. Also, rule out endocrine problems
and run a comprehensive metabolic panel.
If we can be of any further
assistance, please feel free to contact our office.
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