Irritable Bowel Syndrom-IBS
IBS is a common condition in which recurrent stomach pain along with constipation, diarrhoea and bloating can continue for years without any general deterioration in physical health (Oxford Dictionary of Nursing, 1998). Often there can be discomfort and a change in bowel habits with no obvious cause.
IBS is more prevalent in females and 20% of the population suffer from it at some point during their lives, with 5% being chronic sufferers.
IBS affects "gut motility", the rate at which the contents of the bowel are pushed along to the rectum. Sufferers can be from all age groups. Symptoms of IBS can vary a great deal from person to person, but may include:
- Stomach pain
- inability to defecate frequently
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Excessive wind
- Mucus in stools
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Depression
- Painful periods
IBS is often charactrised by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea along with abdominal pain. It can get worse during periods of stress and through eating the wrong diet. It is a condition which can come and go. No specific cause for IBS has yet been discovered but possible causes include food allergies or intolerences, gut inflammation, stress, infection, over-excitation of the gut muscles and toxic overload.
In certain instances, Colon Hydrotherapy can be effective in helping to restore balance both physically and emotionally.
