All You Want To Know About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the main part of the large intestine, known as the colon. When one experiences Irritable Bowel Syndrome, they generally suffer from abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation and mucus discharge in the stool. IBS is said to be a chronic condition and unlike inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not alter bowel tissue nor does it increase risks for bowel cancer.

Here you can see the bowel (Colon)

What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

It is believed that a variety of factors can lead to the onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The way the large intestine contracts can have a direct impact on the symptoms one might experience if suffering from it. Normally, the colon contracts in a rhythmic fashion as food moves from the stomach and down the intestinal tract. For someone suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the contractions can be stronger and can even last longer leading to bloating and diarrhoea. On the contrary, contractions can be weak, leading to slow passage of food which results in constipation. Such abnormalities in the gastrointestinal nervous system are primary causes for the symptoms one experiences when suffering from IBS.
Certain triggers can also instigate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in some people. These can include factors like food that include chocolates, spices, milk, alcohol etc. Stress is also found to aggravate symptoms but not cause them. Hormones also play a vital role, with women twice as likely to be diagnosed with IBS as men.

When to Seek Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be a painful experience and something that can lead to haemorrhoids and even depression due to lifestyle changes required to be implemented.
Therefore, treatment for this disease by doctors usually focuses on alleviating the effects of symptoms so that one can live as normally as possible.
The foremost treatment options that most doctors would recommend are changes in lifestyle and diet. This includes plenty of exercise, intake of fluids, rest and avoiding specific food types that can act as triggers for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in an individual. This can mean eliminating high-gas foods like cauliflower, carbonated drinks, cabbage etc, along with gluten.
Doctors may also prescribe medication that can include taking fibre supplements, anti-diarrheal medications, antibiotics if excessive bacteria is found in the colon, and even anti-depressants.
Bowen Therapy has been shown to be effective in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Since Bowen therapy works with the nervous system, it may assist in bringing back the natural rhythmic action of the gastrointestinal nervous system, addressing the root cause of IBS.
You can read some reviews from Louis's clients on the Review page here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy treatment for IBS or Irritable Bowel in Geelong. We're open till 9pm weekdays and Saturday.