By Eileen Renders
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can present with several intestinal symptoms that can include those associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach pain, bloating, cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or both.
Most of the time, symptoms are not considered severe, however, it is a persistent, long-term condition. Because some of these symptoms could be related to a more serious condition, such as colon cancer, it is necessary to be screened by a doctor.
Some of the symptoms related to colon cancer are similar, and include; weight loss, diarrhea at night, rectal bleeding, Iron deficiency, unexplained vomiting, and pain that is not relieved by passing gas, or after a bowel movement.
Some of the Causes of IBS are muscle contractions within the layers of stomach that contract as they move food through the digestive tract. This causes gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Other causes include; Nervous system, severe infection, changes in the gut microbes, or early life infection.
Allergies can be a trigger.
Mayo Clinic, in an excerpt on digestive health tells us that there is a genetic component associated with IBD in 5 to 20 percent of individuals with IBD. There can be Environmental triggers as well in many areas, and diet does play a role. Those with Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of contracting IBD, and those who smoke have double the risk of IBD than non-smokers. Inflammation may be a risk factor, especially in certain auto-immune disease orders such as Crohn’s disease, or Celiac disease that cause inflammation. And of course, one cannot rule out bacterial infections.
My recommendations;
- See your doctor, and proceed to complete Lab work, and any tests recommended by your physician to rule out cancer.
- See an allergist to be tested for type of allergies that might be associated with your IBD.
- Take a combination prebiotic and probiotic digestive capsule daily before your main meal.
- With your doctor’s approval, consider taking an Over-the-Counter supplement proven to be effective in helping to combat inflammation, such as Essential Fatty Acids capsule, Turmeric (standardized to include effective amount of Curcumin), or Quercetin/Bromelain.
- Eat healthy, and stay active
- Disclaimer: The information contained in articles by Eileen Renders is not meant to become a substitute for one’s physician’s recommendations; they are for educational purposes only. Drugs, herbs, and or supplements are often contraindicated with certain other medications and conditions.
Eileen Renders is a retired nutrition counselor, health research writer, author, and publisher with more than a dozen published titles on www.Amazon.com She founded the First Wellness Center in Atlantic County in 1995 and was a provider for Cigna and United Healthcare.
