Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms and treatment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is a very common condition that causes intestinal changes and discomfort, which can negatively affect the patient's quality of life. Today, we are helping you understand this condition and take a closer look at it.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also called Irritable Colon, is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that particularly affects the large intestine.

IBS causes discomfort for the patient who suffers from it. This may vary in intensity and duration, reducing the patient's wellbeing and quality of life and, in some cases, even limiting their ability to carry out everyday activities.

Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The exact cause of IBS is still unknown, but there are signs and associations with factors that may trigger its onset and development. These are some of the causes of irritable bowel syndrome:

• Changes in bowel motility: this can cause episodes of diarrhoea or constipation, or a combination of both. Other symptoms may also appear at the same time.
• Imbalance in the gut microbiota: changes in the balance of the microbiota or gut flora (an imbalance known as dysbiosis) play a fundamental role in this condition. We explain its importance throughout this article.
• Stress and emotional state: stress and emotions can trigger symptoms or cause flare-ups and recurrence.
• Changes in the patient's diet: sometimes, changing the quantity or type of food either occasionally or over time can trigger a flare-up.
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as a poor diet, smoking or alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise, stress...
• Genetic and environmental factors: there may be a genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

Symptoms of Irritable Colon

The symptoms associated with IBS may be acute episodes or flare-ups which, if not managed properly, can become recurrent and chronic. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are:

• Abdominal pain, discomfort or spasms that usually ease after a bowel movement.
• Bloating and a feeling of fullness.
• Mucus in stools, which may appear in some patients.
• Changes in bowel habits, causing episodes of diarrhoea or constipation.
• Gas.

These symptoms, although they may seem mild, can become very bothersome and even limiting for the patient and the performance of their daily tasks and personal life.

Factors that influence Irritable Colon

The microbiota or gut flora in IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is influenced by a complex interaction between the digestive system, the nervous system and the gut microbiota.

The gut microbiota is made up of living microorganisms of different types (strains) that help maintain balance and keep everything working properly. When this population changes and becomes unbalanced, this is known as gut microbiota dysbiosis. This imbalance triggers the characteristic symptoms of IBS:

• Intestinal fermentation is altered; this means more gas than normal is produced, causing abdominal distension.
• Fewer short-chain fatty acids are produced, meaning their anti-inflammatory effect is not enough to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa.
• The immune response is altered, triggering intestinal inflammation.

Gut-brain axis in Irritable Colon

This consists of the communication between the brain and the gut through the enteric nervous system (the "brain of the gut") and the brain itself. A change in the microbiota in one area can affect the other, causing imbalances and disturbances.

Emotional stress can activate the autonomic nervous system, altering bowel motility; this can trigger episodes of diarrhoea or constipation. In addition, stress and emotional imbalance can alter the gut microbiota and cause dysbiosis.

The importance of healthy habits

Lifestyle and daily habits play a fundamental role in irritable colon, so it is important to know which factors can affect it and how we can control them:

• Managing stress: through relaxation techniques, psychological therapy, and doing activities we enjoy and find relaxing, etc.
• Dietary balance: maintaining not only a healthy, balanced diet, but also avoiding and limiting fried foods, sauces, spices, fizzy drinks, alcohol, caffeine and fats... Avoiding binge eating, heavy meals and keeping a steady diet can help control and improve symptoms. Including foods rich in soluble fibre such as oats, carrots and apples can also help.
• Adequate hydration: especially in patients whose IBS mainly involves episodes of constipation.
• Including probiotics in our diet: can be very useful in managing IBS, helping to keep the gut microbiota balanced. It should be borne in mind that not all probiotics are the same, nor do all intestinal conditions involve the same microbial imbalance in the gut flora. For this reason, strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are particularly interesting for this type of patient.
• Regular physical exercise: helps to manage stress and improve bowel motility.

Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

At the medical consultation, the specialist should monitor and manage IBS and may prescribe different types of medication to help improve symptoms. These may include:

• Antispasmodics: used to relieve abdominal pain and cramps, helping to regulate the frequency and consistency of bowel movements. One example is mebeverine.
• Laxatives and medicines for constipation: such as osmotic laxatives.
• Antidiarrhoeals: such as loperamide, which is only recommended for occasional and exceptional use, not on a recurring basis.

At Farmaciasdirect, we can help reduce and improve symptoms with products in the form of food supplements. Our favourites are the following:

Aboca Colilen IBS

Colilen IBS by Aboca is a food supplement designed to reduce frequent tummy pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. These tablets for an inflamed bowel can be taken by adults and children over the age of 8, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Take 2 capsules 3 times a day: before breakfast, before lunch and before dinner. It can be taken for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the intensity of the flare-up.

Solgar Advanced Acidophilus Plus

Probiotic for irritable bowel syndrome formulated with strains of L. acidophilus and B. lactis. Advanced Acidophilus Plus by Solgar will help maintain the balance of the gut flora, improving and reducing symptoms while spacing out flare-ups.

Adults can take it. Take 1 or 2 capsules a day, preferably with a meal.

Pranarôm Digest Confort

Food supplement that contributes to digestive wellbeing thanks to its composition rich in essential oils such as peppermint, ginger and chicory. Pranarôm Digest Confort can be taken by adults and children over the age of 6. From 6 to 12 years old suck or chew 1 tablet, 1 to 3 times a day, before or after meals. From the age of 12, suck or chew 1 or 2 tablets, 1 to 3 times a day, before or after meals.

Irritable Colon Today

Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects a significant proportion of the global population and people in our country. Specifically, worldwide, between 10-15% of the global population suffers from it and in Spain 8 out of every 100 people have been diagnosed with it.

It should be taken into account that many people do not know they have this syndrome; they experience symptoms but do not see a doctor. In addition, the criteria used in diagnostic methods may vary from one place to another. Moreover, diagnosis is complicated and requires multiple tests to rule out different situations, conditions or illnesses until it is determined that it really is Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Do not forget that if symptoms persist, worsen or change, you should consult your doctor. Diagnosis is crucial for the treatment and management of the condition, so the patient can improve their wellbeing and quality of life.