IBS – break the taboo and seek treatment

Identifying the symptoms

It’s unclear what actually causes IBS in many cases, although emotional stress and life changes are often considered to be significant. The symptoms can occur at any point, but are more likely to develop between the ages of 15 and 40.

Not only that, but according to consultant neurologist Dr. Jane Collins, IBS is also becoming increasingly common amongst children, alongside diabetes mellitus and childhood obesity.

The illness is also more common in females, with approximately 80 per cent of the most severe cases involving women. The symptoms that an IBS sufferer presents with can vary, but may include all or some of the following:

• Constipation (IBD-C)
• Sudden and recurring bouts of diarrhoea (IBD-D)
• Bloating
• Abdominal discomfort
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

A quality of life

There’s no doubt that these symptoms, which vary in degree, have a significant impact on a sufferer’s life, making it difficult to exercise, work or even socialise.

I found one of the most common complaints people make is the way in which the symptoms affect their quality of life. As David from Glasgow told me, ‘The condition really affected my whole quality of life pretty badly. I lost confidence and found my lifestyle severely restricted. I was limited in what I could eat and drink and always needed to ensure that I was within easy reach of a toilet.’

Finding a treatment

Many people simply live with the condition, while others seek medical help to manage their more severe symptoms, but it can be difficult to find an effective treatment that works for all – sometimes it is a case of trial and error and finding what works for the individual patient.

Some of the more effective treatments/ strategies include:

• Diet modification, eliminating foodstuffs that may aggravate the condition
• Using probiotics – beyond ‘healthy’ yoghurts
• Better handling of stress

The world of complementary medicine has also come up with a solution that has proven effective for many people – aloe vera.

Aloe vera

A magical little herb with natural anti-inflammatory properties used since Ancient Egyptian times, has been proven to help many IBS sufferers manage their condition successfully. But the wrong aloe vera supplement will have little more effect than a placebo. The results are exemplified by David from Glasgow, who reports, ‘If you suffer from severe IBS symptoms, you will be rewarded with a big difference which allows you to function normally in your life again.’

Break the taboo

So if you are one of the 20-30 per cent of people who suffer from IBS at some point during their lives, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek treatment: whether conventional, alternative, or a combination of both. With perseverance and a little trial and error there are options out there that can work for you, so break the taboo and go for it.

Han van de Braak is a chartered physiotherapist, registered acupuncturist and naturopath. He is the founder of the Integrated Medicine Practice in Leicestershire which offers a variety of complementary treatments in homeopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopath and diet modification. 01858 465 005

Han van de Braak of Leicestershire’s Integrated Medicine Practice explains the symptoms and treatment for one of the common ailments that affects around one quarter of the population at some point during their lives.

For many people, talking about their bowels and certain bodily functions is still taboo. Yet conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are increasingly common and can make the sufferer’s life a complete misery.
In fact, IBS is the most common disorder diagnosed by gastroenterologists, accounting for around 50 per cent of consultations. Unfortunately, even when diagnosed, the treatment for this chronic disorder can vary widely in effectiveness, leaving many people to manage recurring symptoms as best they can.