What Are The Complications Of Ibs
IBS has few associated complications. It does not lead to rectal bleeding, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis. Diarrhea and constipation may aggravate hemorrhoids in people who already have them. If a person eliminates too many foods from their diet, and the diet is too limited in nutrients that could cause health problems.
The effect on a person’s quality of life is the biggest complication of IBS. Stress and anxiety can result from the pain, and can impact a person’s daily life.
Integrated Traditional Chinese And Western Medicine
In recent years, clinical investigators have paid more attention to integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. According to Chinese experts opinion, the integration of conventional pharmacological therapy and TCM treatment may provide long-term symptom alleviation and highest quality of life to IBS patients.
Recently, our research group evaluated the clinical efficacy of the combination of TCM and Western medicine in the treatment of IBS via a series of meta-analyses. Compared to the Western medicine treatment alone, our results showed that TCM combined with Western pharmacological interventions significantly improved global symptoms of IBS . Moreover, the relapse rate was lower, and no serious adverse events were reported. These results would provide further evidence indicating that treating IBS with integrated traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine showed better efficacy than treating with conventional Western medicine alone.
What Is Lactose Intolerance
What is Lactose intolerance? Being Lactose Intolerant affects up to 50 million people in the US alone. People who have ancestors who came from origins of African, Hispanic, Asian, Indian or Native American heritage are usually more prone to develop lactose intolerance. Most likely because they havent been exposed to cows milk as much as people who have been exposed to it for centuries. And the genes needed to process lactose is not present in their bodies. You can drink lactose free milk or take some enzymes which give your body the ability to now break down the lactose in milk and milk products.
Also the milk and milk products in the U.S. are normally filled with an excess of pus cells from sick cows that are under severe stress from tiny confinement cells.So they are unhealthy with stress hormones in all their bodies. They also add bovine growth hormones and antibiotics that make them and you sick! It is a major food allergy. If you choose to use milk products, be sure to choose natural grass fed, pasture raised cows. This is not only best for your health, but for the animals , then environment and for ethical reasons as well. Its always a lot less stressful to be a part of the solution rather than be part of the problem.
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Would Dietary Supplements Help
Thereâs evidence that two may calm your symptoms:
Peppermint oil. Itmay ease belly pain, bloating, and gas. But it can also cause heartburn. Look for enteric-coated capsules. They dissolve in the intestines instead of in the stomach. They also donât trigger indigestion.
Probiotics. Theyâre live microscopic organisms like those that live in your digestive tract. Some probiotics may improve belly pain, bloating, and gas. But itâs not clear which one is the best for IBS. Talk to your doctor if you want to give it a try.
Also tell your doctor if you want to take any supplement. Some may interfere with medication youâre already taking.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease: âTreatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.â
Wolters Kluwer Health: âPatient information: Irritable bowel syndrome .â
Office of Womenâs Health, US Department of Health and Human Services: âIrritable Bowel Syndrome fact sheet.â
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: âAntidiarrheal Agents.â
US National Library of Medicine: âDiphenoxylate.â
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: âAnticholinergic/Antispasmodic Agents.â
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: âAntidepressant Medications.â
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: âLotronex.â
Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics, âLotronix.â
Eat More Fiber Over Time
Fiber is known to improve some symptoms of IBS by cleaning up’ the bowels. It can be found in vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains and can also be taken as a supplement or vitamin such as Citrucel or Metamucil. Patients may, however, benefit initially from a low fiber diet to reduce the abdominal pain and cramping as high fiber foods are rich in FODMAPS, which ultimately contribute to some IBS symptoms.Research/Fact- In a 2017 Study, Psyllium Powder, which is the active ingredient in Metamucil is shown to benefit all 3 subtypes of IBS.Tip- Over a period of several weeks, slowly increase the fiber in your diet and observe the changes in symptoms.
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Try The Low Fodmap Diet From Start To Finish
Continuing on from above, the low FODMAP diet contains two main phases.
The first phase reduces all high FODMAP foods to confirm a reaction to FODMAPs.
Then the second phase involves testing each FODMAP group one at a time to identify which groups you have been reacting to and at what level.
This second phase of the diet is arguably the most important part of the diet as it enables you to learn what your individual tolerance level is to different FODMAPs, and reintroduce some of your favourite foods as well.
Go Easy On Your Intestines
Minimize fried foods, meats, oils, margarine, dairy foods, and other fatty foods. They cause your colon to contract violently, which can lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Stay away from spicy foods. The capsaicin in hot peppers, for example, makes your large intestine go into spasms, which can cause diarrhea.
Cut down on caffeine. It can worsen IBS by irritating your intestines.
Avoid foods known to cause flatulence, including cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
Dont chew gum or candy that contains artificial sweeteners. Among the common sweeteners in these products are sorbitol and mannitol, which can have a laxative effect. Theyre very difficult to digest. When bacteria in your colon eventually break down these nonabsorbed sugars, you get gas and diarrhea.
Stop smoking. Nicotine contributes to IBS flare-ups. Also, when you smoke, you swallow air, and people with IBS are very sensitive to having air in their gut.
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Looking To The Future
You can permanently cure IBS by addressing the underlying cause. Here at PrimeHealth, our patients prove this is true.
10-year IBS patients have come through our door. Nothing worked for them. Then, we identified the root cause and prescribed a relatively short-term treatment for that issue. Within a few months, this 10-year affliction that mainstream doctors couldnt fix had disappeared.
If you live in the greater Denver area, to learn about our science-based approach to treating IBS. Or schedule a free phone consultation with us today from anywhere in the world!
Medically reviewed by Soyona Rafatjah, MD. on August 15, 2020
Is There A Test To Diagnose Ibs
IBS can be difficult to diagnosis. It is called a diagnosis of exclusion, which means a doctor considers many other alternatives first, performing tests to rule out other medical problems. Some of these tests may include laboratory studies, imaging studies , and endoscopy and/or colonoscopy). An endoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube with a tiny camera at one end is passed into the GI tract while the patient is under conscious sedation. A combination of history, physical examination, and selected tests are used to help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome.
IBS-D test
There are two relatively new blood tests that may help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and constipation . These tests are for anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies that are thought to develop in some patients after an acute bout of stomach flu caused by several different, common types of bacterium. The overgrowth of these bacteria in the gut may trigger an immune attack on an individuals own intestinal tissues with the ensuing inflammation and damage to the tissues, which cause signs and symptoms of IBS.
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Causes Of Chronic Diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is usually caused by coming into contact with a source of bacteria or even virus that your body hasnt experienced before It can also be caused by a stressful event in your life, food allergy or some medications that are causing you side effects of taking them. Here is a list of the most common Causes of Chronic Diarrhea:
- Prescription Medication Side Effects
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Chronic Illness like IBS , IBD , Pancreatitis, Addisons, Celiacs, Hyperthyroidism or even Diabetes can also cause chronic diarrhea
If you are taking any prescription medications, look at the side effects on the label or look it up online. If it is listed or is a suspected cause, then look for a holistic alternative to the medicine that doesnt cause chronic diarrhea, and there will usually be plenty of natural remedy choices that you can use instead. There is a natural treatment for chronic diarrhea that gets rid of the bacterial, viral and environmental toxins and safely eliminates them from your body. It is called zeolite powder, which is shown towards the end of this article.
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Lower Your Stress Levels
Taking the time to relax at home can be a wonderful treatment for IBS. Stress can be a big contributor to IBS symptoms. Learning how to manage it can really help alleviate symptoms, and the following techniques have been shown effective:
- Progressive muscle relaxation: Focusing on one part of the body at a time and relaxing it, this technique may calm the misfiring signals of the gut. This and other practices of meditation have been shown effective by research.
- Visualization/positive imagery: Imagining you are in a tranquil and peaceful place, surrounded by beauty helps to focus attention away from sensations in the body. This therapy helps guide you away from sensations in the body that worsen IBS.
- Deep breathing: Breathing exercises can also help calm down the nerves that are misfiring in IBS. A study from 2013 found that those who tried deep breathing exercises reported fewer IBS symptoms than those who didnât.
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Using Alternative And Complementary Treatments To Manage Ibs
Because there is no cure for IBS, treatment aims to control individual symptoms. As a result, the management of IBS requires a great amount of understanding between doctor and patient. Patients need to educate themselves about IBS and receive adequate information from their physicians so they can learn to manage the syndrome and regain control over their lives.
Eat At Frequent Times
You should not skip meals. Rather than, eating can aid in regulating the function of bowel. In case you have diarrhea, it is better to eat smaill and regular meals that will even make you better. If you have constipation, consuming foods that are rich source of fibre will move the food through the intestines.
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Can Ibs Be Cured
Backed by research and our firsthand experience, IBS patients may be cured if we identify and treat the root causes of IBS.
Has anyone been cured of IBS? In traditional medicine, patients are not cured of IBS. You can manage IBS, but you cant cure IBS to the point where you no longer have to manage it.
However, very early evidence indicates that many forms of IBS can be cured. Depending on what is causing IBS, patients have been cured of IBS before.
At PrimeHealth, we identify which triggers patients deal with. Usually, by eliminating triggers, patients can be cured of IBS permanently.
Try Peppermint Oil And Other Herbal Remedies
As mentioned earlier, ingesting peppermint oil and herbal remedies such as Iberogast are effective ways to manage a flare in IBS symptoms.
However, they may also be effective in managing IBS symptoms long term when taken regularly as a precaution.
Summary: To date, there is no cure for IBS. However, it can be managed over the long term with a number of diet and lifestyle strategies.
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Natural Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Diarrhea Fast
If there is one thing that people consider to be a big problem when they are outside the house, it is experiencing diarrhea. When people have diarrhea, they cannot concentrate on doing the tasks that they have to do. All that they can think about is going to the bathroom, and there are even times when the bathroom is not readily available.
It is possible that once in your life, you have also experienced having diarrhea. Aside from the fact that it can be embarrassing, people feel dehydrated and weak after going to the bathroom countless times to let loose stools out.
Sometimes diarrhea may be accompanied by symptoms like watery stools, frequent loose, fever, nausea, dehydration, bloating, and abdominal pain. So how can you get rid of diarrhea fast? This article will provide you 15 natural home remedies to get rid of diarrhea fast.
Pumpkin For Diarrhea Treatment
Pumpkin is another wonderful food remedy to treat diarrhea. You can use fresh pumpkin or go for canned pumpkin. Below are the reasons why pumpkin is good to treat diarrhea.
Dietary Fiber
Pumpkin has soluble fiber which absorbs water from the digestive tract. It forms a gel-like substance in the intestines and slows down the process of digestion. This makes harder and lesser stools.
Potassium
Your blood should contain enough levels of potassium to save you from falling prey to weakness, fatigue, cramps, and even death. Loss of excess potassium from the blood is called Hypokalemia which might happen when you have diarrhea. As pumpkin is a rich source of potassium, having one cup of pumpkin provides about 500 milligrams of potassium to the blood.
Sodium
Sodium is another compound which helps in maintaining a proper water balance in the body. It is an electrolyte. As diarrhea expels sodium out of your body, this loss can be filled by eating pumpkin broth.
How to use:
Just boil a cup of pumpkin. Mash it to an even consistency. Add some warm water to make it a brothy texture. Add some salt and eat it.
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Consumption Of Green Bananas
Traditionally, green bananas have been used for treating various digestive disorders. Studies showed that green bananas could be used for both clinical and at-home treatment of diarrhea.
More studies can help in understanding the role of green bananas in treating diarrhea and establishing its efficacy.
Drink Plenty Of Liquids
Liquids or fruids is another natural way to treat IBS. You had better try to consume plenty of liquids on a daily basis, in which water, is the best. Try not to sip beverages or alcohol beccause both of them are loaded with caffeine that can encourage the intestines and even make your condition of diarrhea worse.
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Change How Often You Eat
Overeating is very hard on your digestive system, and is likely to kick your IBS symptoms into high gear. Instead of consuming a couple gut-busting meals a day, try to eat small, frequent meals through out the day. Your body will have an easier time digesting these portions, and you may notice that your symptoms are greatly reduced.
Test For Irritable Bowel Syndrome
There is no specific laboratory or imaging test to diagnose IBS. Your doctor is likely to begin with the analysis of your complete medical history.
This may be followed by a physical examination and tests like a stool test, upper endoscopy, breath test, X-ray, etc. to rule out the possibility of other medical conditions.
Once the other conditions have been ruled out, your doctor may use any of the following diagnostic criteria for IBS:
- Manning Criteria It focuses on incomplete bowel movements, mucousy stool, changes in the consistency of the stool, and pain that eases upon passing stool. The more symptoms you exhibit, the greater the chances of IBS.
- Rome Criteria It includes abdominal pain and discomfort that occur on an average of at least once a week in three months. This symptom may be further diagnosed with any two of the following factors discomfort and pain while passing stool, changes in bowel movements, or changes in the consistency of stool passed.
- Type Of IBS To prescribe the appropriate treatment, IBS may be classified into any of the three types depending on your symptoms: constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant, and mixed.
There is no cure for irritable bowel disease. The prescribed treatments usually aim at alleviating the symptoms of the condition.
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Best Probiotic Supplement For Diarrhea
If you are looking for a daily probiotic to control diarrhea, we recommend GOL Nutritions IBPro Probiotic.
This all-natural supplement contains forty billion live cultures per serving and is designed to support digestive health so that you can stop diarrhea naturally.
Its also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!
IBPro is a highly effective supplement for preventing diarrhea and other uncomfortable digestive problems.
Return To A Strict Low Fodmap Diet
The low FODMAP diet is a two-phase diet, and a scientifically-proven therapy to manage IBS .
The first phase of the diet involves removing foods that are rich in specific sugars that are likely culprits for IBS symptoms.
Once symptom control is achieved, each group of FODMAPs are re-introduced one at a time to identify which are responsible for that individuals symptoms.
Many consider the initial strict version of the low FODMAP diet their safe diet.
It is a good idea to return to this baseline diet during a flare to let your symptoms pass.
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