Irritable bowel syndrome affects the digestive process of the large intestine. It’s much more common in women than men and often results in long-term problems with symptoms that can increase and decrease in intensity or disappear at times, but then return.
The symptoms of IBS can vary widely from person to person and may mimic other conditions such as leaky gut syndrome or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). IBS symptoms can include:
While IBS occurs most often in women, age also seems to play a role in that it’s more common in people under age 45. Other factors that might increase your risk for IBS include:
The first step in treating IBS is defining the underlying cause. Thus, your treatment workup includes a detailed review of your symptoms and nutritional habits, physical exam, and diagnostic tests that may include lab studies to determine whether food allergies, hormonal imbalances, or other issues are causing your problems with IBS.
After the cause of your symptoms is determined, treatment may include:
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the intestinal lining is damaged and less able to filter needed nutrients from the food you ingest. This damage also results in normally-contained intestinal wastes, such as incompletely digested proteins and fats, “leaking” out of the intestines into the bloodstream. This typically triggers an autoimmune reaction that can cause abdominal bloating, gas, fatigue, and joint pain.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth occurs when you have an excessive amount of bacteria in the small intestine. This can cause chronic diarrhea. It may also lead to malabsorption, which interferes with your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients necessary for good health. Patients with SIBO may have difficulty with unintentional weight loss, osteoporosis, and other serious medical conditions.
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