Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The Help of A Dietitian
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the term given to a number of symptoms that cause discomfort in the bowel.
This syndrome affects at least one in six people at some time in their lives and it is often difficult to identify the cause.
The most common symptoms are constipation and/or diarrhea, excessive amounts of gas, abdominal bloating, pain and cramping, and unexplained lethargy or fatigue.
It is always best to see the doctor and have these symptoms investigated because they are also symptoms that could indicate more serious medical problems such as diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, Coeliac disease or even bowel cancer.
IBS can sometimes be the result of periods of stress or anxiety.
For example, some people have cramping and diarrhea just before a school exam or before giving a speech in public.
Some people have personalities that are naturally more anxious and these people often suffer from symptoms of IBS.
For these people, a common treatment given by doctors is low dose anti-depressants that relax the bowel and reduce the symptoms.
If disease and stress are excluded, this generally leaves diet as the cause.
Sometimes it can be something as simple as too much caffeine or alcohol.
Or it could be more complicated and this is where a Dietitian can help.
The first step in looking at dietary causes of IBS is usually to reduce foods that have been known for centuries to cause symptoms of IBS.
These are foods that contain high levels of carbohydrates which are easily fermented by bowel bacteria.
A Dietitian can provide complete lists of these foods and will generally suggest that they all be eliminated from the diet for 4 - 6 weeks.
If the symptoms improve, the various carbohydrates are then gradually reintroduced to determine the amount that is tolerated.
If the symptoms do not improve, the Dietitian may suggest a more extensive investigation looking at food chemical sensitivity or intolerance.
There are chemicals in foods that can cause IBS.
Not all people are affected, only those who are genetically more sensitive.
This is why IBS is more common in some families, than others.
The chemicals could be natural like the chemicals that give foods nice flavours, or they could be added food chemicals like preservatives or artificial food colours.
There are many problems associated with investigating food chemical intolerance in IBS: * The symptoms are not always immediate and can be delayed by at least 20 minutes and up to 72 hours.
* A certain amount or 'dose' is necessary for symptoms to occur so a small amount does not always cause symptoms.
However small amounts eaten frequently can build up in the system until finally symptoms occur.
* The same chemical is found in many foods, so it is not necessarily the same food which causes symptoms each time Skin tests, blood tests, hair analyses and Vega testing cannot identify accurately which chemicals cause symptoms.
These tests are expensive and usually cause the patient to eliminate too many foods, making their diet too restrictive.
A Dietitian specializing in food intolerance is able to help patients find their particular chemical sensitivities or food intolerances through a process of elimination and reintroduction.
It is a cheap but accurate and very effective way of treating IBS.
In addition, because Dietitians are University trained in nutrition and health, the Dietitian will provide additional advice on healthy eating throughout the investigation.
This syndrome affects at least one in six people at some time in their lives and it is often difficult to identify the cause.
The most common symptoms are constipation and/or diarrhea, excessive amounts of gas, abdominal bloating, pain and cramping, and unexplained lethargy or fatigue.
It is always best to see the doctor and have these symptoms investigated because they are also symptoms that could indicate more serious medical problems such as diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, Coeliac disease or even bowel cancer.
IBS can sometimes be the result of periods of stress or anxiety.
For example, some people have cramping and diarrhea just before a school exam or before giving a speech in public.
Some people have personalities that are naturally more anxious and these people often suffer from symptoms of IBS.
For these people, a common treatment given by doctors is low dose anti-depressants that relax the bowel and reduce the symptoms.
If disease and stress are excluded, this generally leaves diet as the cause.
Sometimes it can be something as simple as too much caffeine or alcohol.
Or it could be more complicated and this is where a Dietitian can help.
The first step in looking at dietary causes of IBS is usually to reduce foods that have been known for centuries to cause symptoms of IBS.
These are foods that contain high levels of carbohydrates which are easily fermented by bowel bacteria.
A Dietitian can provide complete lists of these foods and will generally suggest that they all be eliminated from the diet for 4 - 6 weeks.
If the symptoms improve, the various carbohydrates are then gradually reintroduced to determine the amount that is tolerated.
If the symptoms do not improve, the Dietitian may suggest a more extensive investigation looking at food chemical sensitivity or intolerance.
There are chemicals in foods that can cause IBS.
Not all people are affected, only those who are genetically more sensitive.
This is why IBS is more common in some families, than others.
The chemicals could be natural like the chemicals that give foods nice flavours, or they could be added food chemicals like preservatives or artificial food colours.
There are many problems associated with investigating food chemical intolerance in IBS: * The symptoms are not always immediate and can be delayed by at least 20 minutes and up to 72 hours.
* A certain amount or 'dose' is necessary for symptoms to occur so a small amount does not always cause symptoms.
However small amounts eaten frequently can build up in the system until finally symptoms occur.
* The same chemical is found in many foods, so it is not necessarily the same food which causes symptoms each time Skin tests, blood tests, hair analyses and Vega testing cannot identify accurately which chemicals cause symptoms.
These tests are expensive and usually cause the patient to eliminate too many foods, making their diet too restrictive.
A Dietitian specializing in food intolerance is able to help patients find their particular chemical sensitivities or food intolerances through a process of elimination and reintroduction.
It is a cheap but accurate and very effective way of treating IBS.
In addition, because Dietitians are University trained in nutrition and health, the Dietitian will provide additional advice on healthy eating throughout the investigation.
