HEALTH MATTERS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
By Kepha Nyanumba
It may be surprising to learn that digestive diseases are some of the most common reasons people seek medical care . Each year , countless people experience some kind of gastrointestinal symptoms which may be mild concerns that go away on their own or can be treated with overthe-counter medication .
Some of these conditions have a substantial negative impact on the quality of life if left untreated . One such conditions is Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ) which has often been considered a “ disease of exclusion ,” which essentially means that it tends to be diagnosed only when other conditions have already been ruled out . This is partly because , as a syndrome , it is defined as a group of symptoms that happen to present together in different combinations . In this case , the symptoms are all generally related to abdominal discomfort and changes in bowel movement motility and frequency .
Food Intolerance and IBS
Most people with IBS have food intolerance . Food intolerance occurs when your gut is abnormally sensitive and reacts to foods that trigger spasms and distend it with gas or fluid . Depending on how much of the offending food you eat , and how much lactase enzyme your body can produce , symptoms can be mild or severe , and include nausea , cramping , gas , bloating , and diarrhea . Dietary modification should be the first-line of treatment in the management of IBS . There are several types of foods in particular that often trigger IBS symptoms and signs .
• Fatty foods aggravate symptoms in many people with IBS . Fats slow down the digestion process hence worsening IBS symptoms . Milk can also trigger symptoms in people with IBS who are lactose intolerant .
• Eating a healthy diet that includes mainly fruits , vegetables , and whole grains has been shown to relieve IBS symptoms . If gas is a problem , you may want to limit the intake of gas forming foods .
• Studies have shown that probiotics help relieve symptoms of IBS , including abdominal pain , gas , and constipation . Probiotics are microorganisms that can help the symptoms of IBS by regulating motility , constipation , and diarrhea . Research supports the potential role of probiotics in management of IBS with variability depending on the use of different probiotic strains , their ability to adhere to and colonize in the GI tract , and the number of colony-forming units an individual ingests . Prebiotics and probiotics are helpful but should not be used as a firstline defense . Instead , it ’ s important to get to the root of food sensitivities that may trigger symptoms .
The Relationship between IBS and the Immune System
The immune system is our body ' s protective network designed to fend off invasion by harmful substances , including bacteria , viruses , and harmful chemicals , and to act as a surveillance system against the development of diseases . A large part of your immune system is in your digestive system , including your intestines . People with stomach disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation tend to have a weak immune system . This is especially true if these issues last for weeks at a time . A number of different nutrients are involved in supporting our immune systems to work normally so that we can deal with infections .
Vitamin A : The retinol form of fatsoluble vitamin A is important for immune functions . It improves the function of white blood cells , resistance from carcinogens and infection . Vitamin A also helps to maintain the mucous membrane and skin , thus improving defense to infection .
B-vitamins : B vitamin deficiency is a major factor associated with rapid disease progression . Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to a decrease in white blood cell response and shrink the thymus which is a critical immune system organ . Frequent dieting and improper eating habits like eating too much sugar and refined foods is the common cause of vitamin B6 deficiency .
Vitamin C ( ascorbic acid ) is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster , an antiviral and anticancer nutrient . The white blood cells utilize vitamin C to fight microbes , infections and inflammation ; during which levels of vitamin C are depleted . During high stress situations , our requirement for vitamin C increases . Excellent sources of vitamin C include : parsley , broccoli , strawberries , oranges , cauliflower etc .
Kepha Nyanumba is a seasoned Marketing Africa Columnist working as a Consultant Nutritionist at Crystal Health Consultants Limited . You can engage him via email at : Kephanyanumba @ gmail . com , Twitter : KNyanumba , or Blog : Kephanyanumba . blogspot . com .
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