Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and cramping, changes in bowel movements, and other symptoms.IBS is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In IBS, the structure of the bowel is not abnormal.
About 1 in 6 people in the U.S. have symptoms of IBS. It is the most common intestinal problem that causes patients to be referred to a bowel specialist (gastroenterologist).
It seems that all these can be gone if the patient follow a low FODMAP diet. This diet is very restrictive and difficult to follow because it is low in certain natural sugars coming from foods like : ice-cream, watermelon, honey, apples, pasta, white bread, wheat, rye and others.
A number of studies, among which one study published earlier this year, found that the positive effects of following a low-FODMAP diet by 43 people with IBS (less bloating, reducing abdominal pain and gass) was seen on more than 80% of the group.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. Most people have mild symptoms. Symptoms are different from person to person.
The main symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain, fullness, gas, and bloating that have been present for at least 3 days a month for the last 3 months. The pain and other symptoms will often be reduced or go away after a bowel movement. They can occur when there is a change in how often you have bowel movements.
People with IBS may switch between constipation and diarrhea, or mostly have one or the other.
On one side, people with diarrhea will have frequent, loose, watery stools. They will often have an urgent need to have a bowel movement, which may be hard to control.
On the other hand, those with constipation will have a hard time passing stool, as well as fewer bowel movements. They will often need to strain and will feel cramps with a bowel movement. Often, they do not release any stool, or only a small amount.
For some people, the symptoms may get worse for a few weeks or a month, and then decrease for a while. For other people, symptoms are present most of the time.
People with IBS may also lose their appetite.
The causes standing at the apparition of the disease are not certain. The general opinion is that it is highly influenced by some types of food and drinks like the ones we said that low-FODMAP diet excludes, caffeinated beverages and fried foods increasing the level of the negative symptoms.
It is not clear why patients develop IBS. Sometimes it occurs after an infection of the intestines. This is called postinfectious IBS. There may also be other triggers.
The intestine is connected to the brain. Signals go back and forth between the bowel and brain. These signals affect bowel function and symptoms. The nerves can become more active during stress, causing the intestines to be more sensitive and squeeze (contract) more.
IBS can occur at any age, but it often begins in the teen years or early adulthood. It is twice as common in women as in men.
FODMAPs are found in the foods we eat. FODMAPs is an acronym (abbreviation) referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people. When the molecules are poorly absorbed in the small intestine of the digestive tract, these molecules then continue along their journey along the digestive tract, arriving at the large intestine, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally. The bacteria then digest/ferment these High FODMAPs and can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Trying low-FODMAP diet is difficult and it’s a strong commitment , but, as some who already tried it say, it is worth it due to its effects.
However, depending on the previous medical condition of the patient, doctors advise people not to try it before going to the doctor and having personalized analysis and to get the help of an experience dietitian.
0 comments:
Post a Comment