Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition in which recurrent abdominal 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 in the UK 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:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Excessive wind
- Mucus in stools
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Depression
- Painful periods
IBS is often characterised by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea 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 intolerances, gut inflammation, stress, infection, over-excitation of the gut muscles and toxic overload.
Colon hydrotherapy helps to restore tone to the gut, improves peristalsis and bowel regularity, and removes toxic waste - all of which can relieve symptoms of IBS.
