Study Confirms IBS Improvement
Study Confirms IBS Improvement by: Dr. Maia Dodds
Irritable bowel syndrome is a debilitating and distressing condition,
which affects 10-20% of the population. IBS is characterized by
abdominal pain and altered bowel function such as constipation,
diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some people have
occasional symptoms, which can be aggravated by stress or food intolerances.
Others experience crippling symptoms, and struggle to maintain their
quality of life in the absence of any targeted, effective pharmaceutical
treatments.
This disorder affects people of all ages and backgrounds, including
children, although women are predominantly affected. Severe IBS
can dramatically restrict mobility, through loss of control of bowel
function and severe abdominal pain. These symptoms contribute to
IBS being second only to the common cold as the most frequent cause
of absenteeism from work and school.
Despite the significant impact on individuals and the population
at large, there is no clear established cause for IBS. Whilst medical
investigations are important to eliminate the possibility of an
over-lapping pathology such as parasites, candida, inflammatory
bowel disease, cealiacs or Crohn’s disease, there is no specific
investigation which patients can test positive for in order to confirm
a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A diagnosis of IBS is more
often a diagnosis of exclusion – if its not another gastrointestinal
condition, and it fits the symptom picture of IBS, then it is IBS.
The current accepted criteria for diagnosing IBS is the Rome criteria
(adopted in medical texts and by the American Gastroenterological
Association). Their definition of IBS consists of:
At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding
12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two of three
features:
- Relieved with defecation and/or
- Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool and/or
- Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
The following symptoms support the diagnosis of IBS:
- Abnormal bowel movement frequency (more than three per day or
less than three per week),
- Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/water)
- Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete
evacuation)
- Mucous passed with stools
- Abdominal bloating or distension
There are few effective treatments for IBS. Pharmaceutical medications
include anti-diarrheal agents and laxatives, some of which can be
harmful if used repeatedly. Significant improvements can be made
through dietary changes which can therefore reducing some trigger
factors for IBS. It is also important to practice some stress reduction
techniques such as breathing techniques, and positive psychology,
as there is a direct link between stress and an aggravation of IBS
symptoms.
The most promising, long-lasting and side-effect free results in
the treatment of IBS were based on a large clinical trial conducted
at an Australian university, and published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association in 1998.
These results demonstrated a 64-76% improvement rate on all measures
of IBS such as abdominal pain, distention and bowel habits. These
results were achieved in a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical
trial conducted by gastroenterologists and doctors. The remarkable
positive results were achieved in the treatment group that received
Chinese herbal treatments. This same formula can be purchased as
pre-made capsules from select retailers, and it offers great hope
for those struggling with IBS.
Dr. Maia Dodds is the author of ‘The Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Improvement Program’
See www.irritablebowelsyndromeip.com
for details, further research and articles.
Write directly at maia@irritablebowelsyndromeip.com
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