Lauren is a sales representative for a large corporation and travels long distances to see her clients. About two years ago Lauren starting having problems leaving the house in the morning, because of bowel spasms and repeated bowel movements. She was having as many as eight to ten bowel movements before lunch. With each movement, she had more spasm and progressively loser stools. Lauren was afraid to leave the house until this had past. She started losing more and more time from work and finally had to take a medical leave. During this time, her physician put her through a variety of tests and blood work. After a colonoscopy, her physician told her she was fine, but she had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He suggested using a prescription anti-spasmodic and Metamucil.She tried this for several weeks with no improvement. Several doctor visits later Lauren was frustrated and gave up trying to get better. She resigned herself to a life centered on her bowel symptoms. Lauren felt much like a captive; unable to leave her home and do the things others take for granted.

Another client referred Lauren to me for counseling. She had not worked for several months and rarely felt well. Her symptoms had left her tired and depressed. Lauren’s attitude was negative and she felt helpless. I suggested that her condition (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), was not hopeless and there was much that could be done to make her feel better. I developed an IBS program for Lauren, using stress reduction, diet modification, and fiber supplementation. After an evaluation and IBS counseling, Lauren regained her spirit and hope. Within two weeks, her symptoms were almost gone and she was starting to do things she had been avoiding. In about one month, she was symptom free and back to work. Although pleased, she wondered why no one had suggested an IBS program earlier.

Most people have never heard a story such as Lauren’s, but it is much more common than you might think. It is estimated that 15-17 percent of the population suffers from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Twice as many women suffer from IBS than do men. Half of all patients develop symptoms before age thirty. In America, IBS accounts for 3 million doctors visits each year. The AMA estimates that IBS is responsible for 50% of all referrals to gastroenterologists. It has been ranked as the second leading cause of worker absenteeism in the United States, second only to the common cold.

The impact of IBS on our society is significant. Surveys of IBS patients point to a general dissatisfaction with medical care. The American College of Gastroenterology has suggested that counseling, diet modification, and fiber are the most effective ways to manage IBS and that drugs only play a role in controlling acute symptoms. The lack of counseling for IBS is a major reason patients suffer for extended periods. Studies have shown that if patients were counseled and put on an appropriate IBS program, outcomes would be significantly better. Another reason that IBS patients do poorly is the embarrassing nature of the condition. Many patients are simply not comfortable talking about this very personal problem. IBS is not a high profile condition by its very nature. Who would want to be the poster child for IBS?

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Defining or describing IBS is itself a problem. The literature usually defines IBS by symptoms such as, a cluster of symptoms, consisting mostly of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Many IBS patients experience alternating constipation and diarrhea. IBS is not a disease and does not lead to more illness that is serious. It will not cause cancer or any other fatal condition. The confusion and lack of good information about IBS, cause patients to become weary and resign themselves to living with the condition. Many patients manage but many others suffer discomfort, pain, and disability.
Diagnosing IBS is very difficult because there is no known test or diagnostic marker for this condition. It is a diagnosis of elimination. Much more serious conditions such as cancer or Crohn’s Disease can be tested for and eliminated but IBS is still an educated guess. An incorrect diagnosis could be fatal.
What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome? There are many theories but no one really knows. It has been associated with, depression, chronic childhood constipation, anxiety, antibiotics, and food allergy. Dr. James Eaton, MD and noted forensic pathologist, and paleontologist suggests that the lack of fiber in the modern Western diet is the main cause. For the past forty thousand years, man has ingested 60-100 grams of fiber per day. Presently Western man ingests below 11 grams of fiber per day. Fiber’s role in health is far reaching. Fiber controls digestion of fats, sugars, and regulates cholesterol levels. Without fiber, you cannot function in a normal fashion.

Many fibers have been used to control IBS but each person responds differently to specific fibers. This is why counseling and good educational materials will help the IBS patient get relief. Fibers including, psyllium, flax, wheat bran, chitosan, rice bran, pectin, oat bran, and guar gum can help manage the problem. Supplemental fiber usually helps, however individuals vary in the amount of fiber needed to control symptoms. Health food stores sell good quality fiber products. Drug store fiber products often have sugars and fillers that can interfere with IBS. Adding more high fiber foods to the diet may also help.

The use of probiotics can help regulate the spastic nature of the bowel. Healthy bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may help restore the bowel to healthier functioning. Probiotics aid in the digestive process, promote regularity, and stop diarrhea.

The chronic nature of IBS and the impact it has on the patient, poses a challenge to all health care practitioners. The standard medical model has failed to produce any significant improvement for a majority of chronic IBS patients. The failure of allopathic medicine to effectively deal with IBS creates an opportunity for other approaches. Many alternative health practitioners can help IBS patients control and manage their symptoms. It is important to find practitioners with an interest and experience in IBS care. IBS is a condition of management that responds to diet and fiber modifications. Counseling patients about these techniques of managing IBS is a more holistic approach. Patients want to get better, and alternative treatment options may help.