If you often feel bloated and uncomfortable, read on because you may be suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder of the digestive system, also known as spastic colitis. Although spastic colitis sounds like a medical term for an inflammatory disease, it’s not, it’s just how abnormal bowel contractions are attributed. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which mainly affects the large intestine, as unpleasant as it is, it is not a medical condition nor does it pose a threat to the patient’s health.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is considered to be the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition. Nevertheless, it is not easy to diagnose, because there are no specific medical tests for it and its symptoms can be confused with symptoms of other disorders or diseases of the digestive system.

The gastroenterologist will diagnose Irritable Bowel Syndrome by ruling out other disorders thanks to his experience and a basic imaging check of the upper and lower digestive system.

After ruling out similar but more serious cases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), malabsorption disease, as well as celiac disease and microscopic colitis, which involve some inflammation of the intestine, then the doctor will arrive at the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and give the corresponding medication: spasmolytic drugs for abdominal pain and heartburn, mild laxatives for constipation, antidiarrheals for diarrhea.

Statistical data about IBS

According to statistical surveys, 10-20% of the general population, mainly in urban areas, have been dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome for years, but the percentage of those who go to the doctor to treat it is small.

The first symptoms appear during adolescence and it mainly affects women aged 18-40. It is not that it disappears or that it is cured after this age, but each sufferer has found a way to deal with the unpleasant symptoms and reduce their duration or intensity.

We could say that it is a family affair since someone who suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome usually has another family member who suffers from the same symptoms. This is true either for genetic reasons or for common factors in the environment.

65% of IBS sufferers also suffer from Fibromyalgia.

IBS Symptoms

There are some common symptoms of the Syndrome, but they do not have the same intensity and duration in every sufferer, which is why not every person is affected in the same way. Some people simply feel some discomfort while for others it makes everyday life so difficult that it even leads them to social isolation.

The main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:

• Stomachache
• Abdominal bloating (drumming)
• Changes in bowel habits, i.e. manifested by diarrhea (frequent bowel movements) or constipation (sparse bowel movements)
• Mucous in stools
• Gases
• Motion sickness

In some cases, the person with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may also suffer from migraines, fibromyalgia and pelvic pain.

The above symptoms can range in intensity from simply annoying to painful, but they are not dangerous.

However, if the following symptoms are observed, the sufferer should urgently visit a doctor:

• Onset of symptoms from age 50 or older
• If pain or diarrhea wakes the sufferer during the night
• If the diarrhea is of a large volume
• If there is a family history of organic digestive tract disease

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

As we mentioned above, despite the continuous research and progress of medicine, the causes still remain unknown, but there are main “suspected” causes that seem to trigger the manifestation of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, such as:

• some foods, which, however, differ from person to person
• intense stress due to significant changes in the person’s life, depression, verbal or physical abuse during childhood
• a severe gastrointestinal infection
• changes in the composition or number of micro-organisms in the intestinal flora, which disturb the valuable balance
• poor communication between brain and gut signals resulting in food “traveling” faster or slower through the digestive tract
• visceral hypersensitivity, i.e. the increased sensation of pain to normal stimuli, reported by 20-60% of patients

Diet

Because one of the main reasons for the appearance and triggering of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is diet, for its initial treatment mainly dietary changes are recommended, so that it can be seen if there are any nutritional intolerances. Usually, results are seen by cutting out certain foods for a period of time to see if they cause the Syndrome or not. If they cause it, they are completely excluded from the person’s eating habits, otherwise, they return to it normally.

Although which foods trigger an IBS flare-up varies from person to person, certain foods are considered more “culprit” and tend to be avoided first. These are:

• fatty foods
• fried foods
• hot foods
• the sweets
• coffee and alcohol
• legumes
• dairy products with lactose
• foods with gluten, such as bread and pasta
• foods with insoluble fiber, such as whole grains and the hard parts of fruits and vegetables.
• Raw foods

Also “guilty” are some bad eating habits, such as excessive or gluttonous eating.

The proper diet for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome differs from person to person, and from whether they are experiencing diarrhea or constipation. For example, in periods of constipation, an increase in fiber is recommended, while in periods of diarrhea, it is recommended to avoid it. Follow-up by a dietician could be particularly helpful in creating a personalized diet.

To stimulate good gut bacteria, probiotics found in foods such as kefir and yogurt are recommended to reduce gas and the risk of diarrhea, as well as drinks such as peppermint and aniseed which calm abdominal, stomach and intestinal spasms. 

Excercise

In dealing with the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, regular exercise proves to be a strong ally, which is good for the intestine, but also for the mood of the person who exercises.

This happens because regular exercise benefits the smoother functioning of the digestive system, but also the smoother functioning of the nervous system which in turn affects the digestive system.

According to research by the World Journal of Gastroenterology, cycling is one of the exercises that relieves the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the long term.

Also, walking is considered an exercise that particularly contributes to the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Yoga is considered the exercise that effectively improves communication between the brain and gut, and tai-chi naturally enhances mind-body balance.

On the contrary, it is good to avoid, especially during periods of abdominal pain, ways of exercising such as running and lifting weights that aggravate the problem.

Psychology of patient with IBS

According to research, approximately 80% of those suffering from Irritable Syndrome suffer from physical symptoms as well as serious mental illnesses and disorders, such as depression, phobias and panic attacks.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome flares up during times when the sufferer has to deal with unpleasant changes in their life, such as family problems, financial difficulties, work tensions and bereavement, or experiences intense verbal or physical abuse.

Also, the intensity and duration of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome have a particularly negative effect on some of the sufferers, since they often limit their choices in their social life and reduce their professional performance.

Some of them may even isolate themselves because they feel dysfunctional and unsafe if they step outside their safety zone.

Others may not even recognize what is wrong with them until they seek professional help and are diagnosed.

Ultimately, this creates a vicious cycle of bad psychology that causes intense symptoms, and intense symptoms that intensify the bad psychology.

In the case of serious mental illnesses, such as depression, treatment with antidepressant drugs may be deemed necessary by the psychiatrist to treat the patient’s symptoms.

Energy and IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a psychosomatic disease, therefore it needs a holistic treatment of mind, body and soul. Thoughts and emotions, phobias and anxieties block the body’s smooth energy, resulting in negative symptoms.

The third chakra, the Solar Plexus or Manipura, is connected to the digestive system. This is the centre where what we keep and what we throw away is processed. Just as it is important to properly digest our food, in the same way it is vital the proper digestion of our emotions and desires.

When the third chakra is in balance, the person feels confident and has a strong sense of purpose, while when it is out of balance, they feel low self-esteem, have problems with control, and show an inability to take action. This disharmony also causes digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The colour representing the Solar Plexus is yellow, and its element is fire.

Ask yourself questions like “What do you like about yourself and what don’t you like?” Feel the deeper connection with yourself. Breathe deeply into it. Feel the bright yellow energy flowing freely through your Solar Plexus, with love that dissolves fear.

Energy Healing – Your Growth Guide

Treat your problem holistically, to get rid of everything that “bloats” you and causes you discomfort, mentally and physically.

Come to talk and find together the energy treatment that suits you. Whichever service you choose, it will work additionally to your doctor’s instructions or sessions with your psychologist. No medications are provided.

The next day can be much lighter if you just decide it.