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Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a gastro-intestinal health problem suffered by an increasing number of people.

Suggested IBS Triggers

1. Food hypersensitivity or intolerances

2. Stress or emotional disturbances

3. Parasites or unfriendly bacteria which can cause intestinal infections and inflammation. These can lead to an increase in the permeability of the intestinal mucosa. This is called Leaky Gut Syndrome. This allows food particles and chemicals to enter the bloodstream before they are fully digested. The immune system can become overloaded by this and trigger an increase in the body’s inflammatory response, giving rise to mucosal sensitivity, unusual motility and secretory response.

4. Dysbiosis. The good and bad bacteria in the intestines become imbalanced.

5. Altered bowel flora. This can be the result of antibiotics, laxatives, diarrhoea or low dietary fibre.

Diet & Lifestyle

An increase in the intake of water and dietary fibre, mainly from fruit and vegetables, can be quite beneficial, as can a reduction in the consumption of diuretic beverages - tea, coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine.

Constipation, diarrhoea and dysbiosis (toxic bacteria) may be directly attributed to food sensitivities and intolerances.

Gas that’s trapped in the intestines can cause bloating and wind, though how this painful condition arises is not fully understood. Bacteria may cause lactose to decompose. This can give rise to much gas, bloating, and rumbling within the intestinal tract. Bowel movements or diarrhoea may result soon after consumption of dairy foods.

Food intolerances are thought to play a major role in the pathology of IBS. This can result in bacterial fermentation, creating an increase in hydrogen gas that may trigger certain IBS symptoms.

Possible natural treatments for IBS:

1. Water is important. Drink about a 1.5 litres. This is on top of the consumption of other beverages.

2. Reduced consumption of alcohol, cola drinks, tea and coffee, and chocolate.

3. Identifying and eliminating possible food sensitivities/allergies.

4. Although some people do have problems with raw foods, in general there are benefits from increasing fibre intake from fruits and vegetables.

5. Cutting back on stress.

The treatment is a collaboration between the client and the therapist. It is, therefore, vital that the client be committed to taking an active role in dealing with the disorder.

The therapist may feel that that laboratory blood tests are required to find out if there are any food allergies or sensitivities. Other tests that can be ordered include those for leaky gut syndrome and overgrowth of candida yeast.