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It’s not something we like to talk about in polite company, but most people experience a little bowel disturbance from time to time. Trying something new, eating something quick on the run, or even eating too much of one type of food can put a lot of pressure on your digestive system. This can end up leading to an upset stomach, gas, bloating, and even a few strange things floating in the toilet bowl. If you experience this on occasion, it’s probably no cause for concern. But if you run into this problem more often than you’d like, you may have a condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS for short. What Is IBS? IBS is a condition that affects your large intestine. Essentially what happens is that the natural rhythm of your intestinal tract is out of balance, moving either more quickly or slowly than normal which causes problems1. The most common symptoms of IBS include gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, mucousy stool, and constipation and/or diarrhea. You may experience fatigue as well. If you have these symptoms, your doctor will first rule out several other possibilities before confirming your IBS, including Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Celiac disease. What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome? It’s not entirely clear exactly what causes IBS, but there are a few common triggers. Stress One of the big ones is stress, anxiety, or depression. While stress doesn’t directly cause IBS, those who do suffer from IBS report feeling worse while in a stressful situation, like exams or the end of a relationship. In fact, more than half of those who suffer from IBS have symptoms of anxiety and depression2. A study of women with IBS showed the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline) to be elevated, which shows a correlation between stress and IBS3. Whether anxiety contributes to IBS or vice versa is uncertain, although it’s likely to be a bit of both. Allergies Food allergies and sensitivities can cause immune reactions in the gut, leading to symptoms of IBS. Those who experience lactose intolerance can certainly relate! Other common food triggers include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and gluten. For some people, excessive amounts of insoluble fibre, like that found in fruit skins, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, can aggravate the symptoms of IBS. Bacterial Imbalance Overgrowth of certain bacteria and fungi in the intestinal tract may also contribute to IBS. If the bacteria in your gut is out of balance, you’re at risk of developing IBS4. This imbalance can come from a diet high in sugar and alcohol, or through use of antibiotics which kill infections in your body but also destroy much of the bacteria in your intestines. Reproductive Hormones Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from IBS, and that may come from their reproductive hormones. In fact, many women who suffer from IBS feel worse during menstruation, but report feeling better after menopause. This suggests that the hormonal fluctuations common during the reproductive cycle are linked to IBS. Men seem to suffer less often from IBS, and it isn’t yet clear whether testosterone plays a role. Thyroid Health Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and a similar condition of the thyroid system, known as Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome, can cause decreased gut motility, which can aggravate IBS constipation. On the other hand, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can increase gut motility, which can aggravate the diarrhea side of IBS. Because thyroid imbalances cause changes in the immune system, gut flora, and intestinal motility, thyroid imbalance may be linked to IBS, but the research is not yet clear. Gut imbalance of IBS can also decrease the formation of active T3 thyroid hormone. What Can I Do If I Have IBS? If you do have IBS, there is no one-stop cure for it. Rather, it takes a multifaceted approach taken from a few different angles. Stress Management This is a big one. In fact, even if you don’t suffer from IBS, you’ll almost certainly benefit from some sort of stress management. Breathing, meditation, physical exercise, and acupuncture can help to manage the stress that contributes to IBS symptoms Identify Food Sensitivities & Allergens If you have food allergies or sensitivities, you may start to experience IBS symptoms at seeming random times. Try paying closer attention to what you eat, and how you react afterward. Elimination-challenge diets and immunoglobulin blood tests can help to determine which foods may be triggering your IBS. Restore Healthy Flora Probiotic supplements, containing Lactobaccillus and Bifidobacterium species, can help restore a healthy gut terrain. Probiotic foods such as kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi can help restore healthy flora as well. Balance Hormones Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, and Evening Primrose oil may be helpful for some women to balance hormones over the monthly cycle to reduce IBS symptoms. Take Care of Your Thyroid! Since I have a special interest in thyroid health, I believe strongly in maintaining a healthy thyroid and endocrine system. While the thyroid is often neglected, its link to so many other important bodily functions makes it more important than many realize. Repairing your gut will help your thyroid, but helping your thyroid will help heal your gut. Nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, and vitamin D are essential for optimal thyroid system function. The Truth About IBS If you’ve been diagnosed with IBS or suspect that you have it, make sure to consult with a qualified health practitioner for individualized treatment. If you see blood in the stool or experience sudden weight loss, however, see your doctor immediately. These may be signs of something much worse. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20024578 http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8633579 http://www.aboutibs.org/site/what-is-ibs/gut-bacteria Until next time, this is Dr. Pat Nardini, ND, putting “Your Wellness First!”