Severe diarrhea, persistent constipation, tormenting abdominal pain. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal problems. But do all these patients really suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or is there something else behind it?
For those affected, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often resembles a ride up and down a mountain. At first, one cannot use the bathroom for days and then, suddenly, diarrhea hardly allows one to leave the bathroom! This is usually associated with severe abdominal pain and flatulence.
Typical Issues
Typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and flatulence. Additionally, it can cause a feeling of fullness and intestinal noises or mucus in the stool. Other symptoms include alternating soft and hard stools, the feeling of incomplete defecation, discomfort, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen or right upper abdomen, and back, head and joint pains.
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Irritable bowel syndrome or food intolerance?
However, this raises the question of IBS symptoms simply arising from a food intolerance. The well-known tips for consuming prunes, freshly squeezed fruit juices or dairy products can worsen the condition if the patient suffers from fructose or lactose intolerance.
People with a suspected or even diagnosed irritable bowel should be examined for enzyme weaknesses and food intolerances.
In Austria, it is estimated that one in five to seven suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, and it is more common in women than in men. 2.8 million cases in Austria per year can be attributed to this group of diseases alone. Factors such as stress, anger, or other psychological problems are often the triggers. A simple intestinal infection can also be a reason.
Micronutrients such as zinc, glutamine, and pantothenic acid can treat intestinal issues.
Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
At present, irritable bowel patients are generally prescribed drugs that have a laxative, diarrhea-reducing, or intestinal cramping effect. Antidepressants are also used, which primarily serve to lower the pain threshold of patients.
However, in addition to the medicinal treatment, those affected can benefit from special supplements containing selected micronutrients such as zinc, glutamine, and pantothenic acid, which have been developed to provide nutritional-physiological treatment for intestinal issues.
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In addition, psychotherapy, hypnosis, relaxation techniques, and/or endurance training at least twice a week can also have a positive effect on the health of the patient.
Dr. Walter Wührer, general practitioner and holistic physician in Salzburg, Austria has concluded that, “the attending physician needs a lot of experience and intuition. There is no uniform therapy, each patient must be treated individually. In the one case, for example, a change in diet can be beneficial, in the other case, intestinal hypnosis, micronutrients, psychotherapy, or combinations thereof are beneficial. The art of medicine lies in recognizing when and for which symptoms which therapy makes sense.”
