Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects 10-20% of all American adults with women being twice as likely to have this problem. IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder; however the majority of people never report the condition to their doctor or health care provider. There have been many names given to IBS over the years such as: colitis, functional bowel disease, mucous colitis, spastic bowel and spastic colon.
The symptoms associated with IBS are abdominal pain, cramps and spasms, bloating, gas and irregular bowel movements. The symptoms of constipation then diarrhea are the most common. Hospitalization is rarely required, but IBS can severely interfere with your daily activities.
More On Irritable Bowel Syndrome
In gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits which are not associated with any abnormalities seen on routine clinical testing. It is fairly common and makes up 20-50% of visits to gastroenterologists. Lower abdominal pain, and bloating associated with alteration of bowel habits and abdominal discomfort relieved with defecation are the most frequent symptoms. The abdominal pain type is usually described in a patient as either diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C) or IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A). In some individuals, IBS may have an acute onset and develop after an infectious illness characterized by two or more of the following: fever, vomiting, acute diarrhea, or positive stool culture. This post-infective syndrome has consequently been termed "post-infectious IBS" (IBS-PI) and is acute onset Rome II criteria positive. This condition is more homogeneous, being mostly IBS-D and is drawing much clinical investigation.Chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP) is quite similar to, but less common than IBS. CFAP can be diagnosed if there is no change in bowel habits.
Because of the name, IBS can be confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Read the rest of the irritable bowel syndrome wiki
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IBS Dietary Supplement Protocol
Nutritional supplements to help with irritable bowel syndrome
IBS Dietary Supplement ProtocolThe IBS Protocol is a four pronged attack on treating irritable bowel syndrome from a holistic approach.
The IBS Protocol works on the inflamation and discomfort that is associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
The Bifidus probiotic helps to heal the intestines and colon by adding friendly bacteria back to the digestive tract.
CoQ10 is included because the need for CoQ10 appears to be greatest in metabolically-active cells, such as in the heart, gingiva, immune system, and gastric mucosa. CoQ10 is also an antioxidant and appears to recycle vitamin E.
Digestive enzymes are also included to help ease the burden on your pancreas and digestive tract. The enzymes will help to properly digest your foods so that you can absorb your nutrients and the risk of inflammation and discomfort of IBS are reduced with the inclusion of enzymes.
Video on IBS Management
What Causes IBS?
Learn what brings on irritable bowel syndrome
There are many causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The problem is that many studies on IBS are flawed because they only test one factor. For example, for many people eliminating wheat from the diet will clear up symptoms. Unfortunately, there is not a single cause to IBS. What needs to be done to find the cause is to work with each individual to find what their particular triggers are, and then cut those out of the diet. Overlooked Causes Of IBS
Candida (yeast) overgrowth and parasites are two commonly overlooked causes of irritable bowel syndrome. One recent study found that 18% of the studies participants had a form of a treatable parasite infection. Dr Leo Galland has found that Giardia was responsible for bringing on the IBS in nearly half of his patients.CandidaEX is a natural product that has proven effective in killing off Candida and restoring a healthy flora balance in the intestines. ParisitEX is a powerful killer of human parasites. Both of these products are excellent cleansers that can help to relieve IBS symptoms brought on by Candida or parasites.
Dietary Changes To Relieve IBS
IBS Diet
Some of the most common dietary changes that help to relieve IBS are eating low fat, high fiber diets. It is also recommended to eat small meals and to chew your food very well. The dietary changes do need to be specific to each individuals needs. Foods to avoid or monitor are alcohol, sugar intake, coffee, beans and cruciferous vegetables. After finding out which foods bring on IBS flare-ups you can reintroduce the other foods and only avoid the trigger foods. Books on Healing and Treating Your Irritiable Bowel Syndrome
IBS Health Books
Eating for IBS: 175 Delicious, Nutritious, Low-Fat, Low-Residue Recipes to Stabilize the Touchiest Tummy
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Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/05/2009) 
List Price: $16.95
The First Year: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)--An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
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Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $15.95
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution: How It's Cured at the IBS Treatment Center
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Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $14.95
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) IBS: Eliminate Your Symptoms and Live a Pain-free, Drug-free Life (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About...)
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Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $14.95
MindBody Health Audio Series: Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Gastric Reflux Disease
IBS Help Audiobook Download
MindBody Health Audio Series: Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Gastric Reflux DiseaseThis audio is designed to assist the listener with IBS, gastric reflux & other gastro-intestinal conditions to release symptoms & produce healing chemicals. Instructions to improve nutrition, manage emotions & thought processes, as well as to directly communicate with the GI tract through Interactive Self-hypnosis are included. Specific imagery for opening deep smooth muscles, as well as altering the production of excess gastric juices is included. Post-hypnotic suggestions for persisting with new Lifestyle Change Behaviors are presented, as well as setting high level goals for the mindbody systems.
Amazon Products To Help Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS Natural Products And Self Help Programs
Digestive Advantage IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Capsules, 96-Count
Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
Peppermint Oil Capsules (2 bottles) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome ~ Heather's Tummy Tamers
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
IBS Audio Program 100 for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Hypnosis
Amazon Price: $89.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Ibs
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Share Your IBS Story
ShannonC wrote...
Great lens...I suffer from this..and it's definitely candida related, more yeast and sugar I eat the worse it gets. psyllium fibre helps a lot for me
Posted June 16, 2008
dsims wrote...
Great lens! Withe side effects of medication, its great to have an alternative holistic approach as an option.
Posted April 14, 2008
Luvi wrote...
Great Lens. Didn't know women had more chances of having this problem. Glad I have a low fat diet.
Posted April 02, 2008
jeffwend wrote...
Cruciferous vegetables are things like broccoli, brussel sprouts and other related veggies
Posted December 19, 2007
mulberry wrote...
Useful stuff! Now I have to look up cruciferous vegetables :0
Posted December 10, 2007
Blog Posts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- How to diagnose IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)?
- July 5, 2009. How to diagnose IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? Is the only way to diagnose IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with a endoscopy or colonoscopy? Has anyone gotten medication for IBS without an edoscopy or colonoscopy? ...
- What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? :Ultimate Home Fitness
- At least 58 million Americans have suffered IBS at some stage in their lives. They have cramp like abdominal pains, diarrhoea and/ constipation. These symptoms vary in individual IBS sufferers and also from day to day.
- Can Cutting Carbs Help an Irritable Bowel?
- bowels Here are some interesting results of a small, preliminary study published in the Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The researchers recruited 17 people with moderate to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome. ...
- What do we know about Counseling the Irritable Bowel?
- In addition, 20 percent of Americans (about 60 million people) have irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, the rates of nearly every modern disease ? autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, digestive problems, heart disease, cancer, ...
IBS Diet In The News
- The Wellness File: An IBS Diet Recipe Differs According To Symptoms
- There are millions and millions of unfortunate people all around the world that have to deal with irritable bowel syndrome and if you happen to be one of them then you would do well to consider making good use of an IBS diet recipe. ...
- Tips To IBS And Treatment
- It may surprise you that by following an IBS diet, you can help keep your IBS under control. One of the easiest changes that can be made to your diet is to avoid eating foods that are known to cause gas, for example, broccoli and beans. ...
- IBS Diet Recipes Facts You Must Know
- Just because you know that you have IBS and that the best diet for IBS includes foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, this certainly does not mean that your diet is going to have to be boring.
- Colon Cleansing: Help for IBS - Diet Reviews and Reviews of Diets
- Health Product Reviews and Diet Reviews. Honest Reviews on Products for Weight Loss, Detox, Fitness, Health, and More.
by jeffwend
Hello everyone. I have been working as a holistic nutritional consutlant for 10 years. I made this lens to help IBS sufferers. 
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