Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What It Is: a functional condition that affects the intestines. It cannot be observed as a disease condition (like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), but rather IBS is observed as poor performance of the intestines. As a result, other parts of the digestive system are affected. People with IBS often experience pain and spasms in the stomach, abdomen, and rectum, as well as in the intestines. Other symptoms include gas, bloating, alternating constipation and diarrhea, which is often accompanied by mucus. Other names for IBS are: spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.

Who It Affects: Approximately 20% of the population suffers from IBS in one form or another. Of that group approximately 60% are female and 40% are male.

Nutrition & Lifestyle: Many people with IBS find it useful to keep a food diary for a few weeks to see what foods & beverages might affect their symptoms. The artificial sweeteners in diet beverages increase gas and bloating for a lot of IBS sufferers. Some gas producing foods (like beans, cabbage, legumes, broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, Brussel sprouts, raisins, onions, bagels, pretzels) should be avoided for those who suffer from IBS. Milk and uncooked milk products may cause problems for some. Many IBS sufferers may be able to tolerate small amounts of yogurt.; If it doesn't cause discomfort, people with IBS should slowly add fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, and whole grains to their diets; along with a lot of water.

Elimination diets (those in which one food or food group is removed from the diet) should only be used under the close supervision of a registered dietitian.

Exercise can help IBS by reducing stress and can stimulate the intestines in a positive way.