Irritable bowel syndrome is a common painful and disruptive condition, but does not cause tissue damage or more serious disorders. Due to many factors, it is unlikely to be resolved by one solution but the complementary medicine practice can help you manage the symptoms.

Symptoms include

Causes
Theories exist for IBS causes or triggers, or factors that make symptoms worse including:

Emotions can affect the subconscious control of the intestinal muscle contractions. Stress or tension can lead to an increase in contractions of the intestinal muscles, and spasms. The bacteria in the large intestine ferment the less digestible food and cause bloating and wind. This distension causes further contractions.

• If the contractions are rhythmic, a looser more frequent motion results. A function of the large intestine is to reabsorb water but with the increased motion there is less opportunity for this reabsorbtion.
• If the contractions are not rhythmic, they hinder movement allowing more time for water reabsorbtion which results in dry constipation.

If the contractions at the end of the digestive tract are excessive, the need to pass motions frequently is felt. If the pelvic floor muscles fail to relax sufficiently, there is difficulty to initiate a bowel motion or incomplete voiding occurs.

The gut-brain axis
Researchers are finding a close association between the nervous and digestive systems which is termed the gut-brain axis. These systems communicate to each other though electrical and chemical pathways. The brain uses the central nervous system's release of chemicals - acetylcholine and adrenalin - to tell the stomach when to relax or release acid and the intestines when to move. The digestive system uses the vagus nerve to send electrical signals to create sensations of satiety, hunger, pain or anxiety.

Their intimate connections mean that if one is upset, the other is likely to be affected. Stress results in an exaggerrated response which can strongly affect the bowels, mucosal layers, inflammatory responses and immunity. So addressing stress and mood can help lessen digestive discomfort.

Traditional chinese medicine perspective
If the digestive system is not functioning optimally, loose stools are a common complaint. Stress effects the body systems by preventing the energy from flowing smoothly and harmoniously. When this occurs with an underlying weakness in the digestive system, the results are constipation, diarrhoea, or both.

• Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that acupuncture can provide relief from chronic pain. It can be effective at relieving the immediate symptoms and strengthening the constitution to prevent reoccurrence.
  
• Chinese medicine also believes that each food flavour has a different energetic effect on the body, so a balance in food flavours will balance your digestion. If you would like to see us for an evaluation of this we suggest downloading and completing the 7 day food diary in Forms before you come for your appointment.

Self help tips
Finding what offers you most relief is important as people show individual variations.

• Wear loose fitting clothes
  
• Have blood tests for food allergies, food intolerance, candida, or gut permeability (we can advise you which tests are appropriate for you and we can arrange them)

Diet

• Decrease foods that irritate your intestines e.g. bread, (see wheat alternatives
  fact sheet), starches, baked beans, brussel sprouts, cabbage.
  
• Decrease foods that encourage fermentation in your intestines, e.g sugar, yeast
  dairy may contribute to symptoms
  
• If you get watery diarrhoea after dairy ask your doctor to test for lactose
  intolerance
  
• Exclude caffeine as it increases intestinal activity and spasm
  
• Avoid alcohol
  
• No carbonated drinks
  
• Peppermint in capsules or as tea is anti-spasmodic
  
• Ginger also has an anti-spasmodic effect, and stimulates digestion
  
• Fennel tea may soothe digestion
  
• For constipation try natural laxatives with plenty of water such as psyllium
  husks, or ground linseeds.
  

Supplements

• Pre and probiotics will replenish natural bacteria and improve gut function
  
• B - complex vitamins are required for good gastrointestinal muscle tone
  
• Slippery elm may be soothing during an attack
  
• Aloe vera juice will calm and cleanse the digestive system.
  

Stress

• Slow down - allow enough time for meals
  
• Don’t eat when you are stressed, hurried, or upset
  
• Don’t eat at your desk
  
• Eat slowly and chew well
  
• Make sure you rest for 10 minutes after eating
  
• Gentle exercise relieves stress and stimulates digestion
  
• Don’t eat for 2 hours before bed
  
• Sleep at a regular time, and for long enough
  
• Find a quiet place to relax
  
• Explore relaxation techniques e.g. awareness of your breath

See your doctor if

• You have blood in the stools
  
• Your symptoms worsen
  
• You have a family history of bowel cancer
  
• Symptoms follow a trip abroad - ask your doctor to test your stool for infection and / or parasites (we can arrange this).

References
Canadian Society Of Intestinal Research. (2006). Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
www.badgut.com/index.php?contentFile=ibs&title=Irritable%20Bowel%20Syndrome

Intestinal Disease Research Programme. (2000). Gut-Brain Interactions. www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/idrp/brain.htm

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2005). Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106/DSECTION=1

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2006). Research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome at Mayo Clinic.
www.mayoclinic.org/irritable-bowel-syndrome/research.html

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2006). Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/

Woolston, C. (2006). Gut Feelings: The Surprising Link Between Mood and Digestion. www.ahealthyme.com/article/primer/101186767