Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Causes, Home Remedies and Therapy

Colon irritable, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome

Many people suffer from bowel problems that can not be attributed to an exact cause. Abdominal pain that goes back after a bowel movement, as well as alternating diarrhea and constipation are often indications of a so-called irritable bowel syndrome (RDS).

contents

• Colon irritable, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome
• definition
• Spread and symptoms
• causes
• diagnosis
• therapy
• Naturopathy

definition

Irritable artery syndrome can be determined according to different criteria catalogs (Manning, Kruis, Rome I, Rome II, Rome III), whereby in particular the definition according to the common treatment guidelines of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) and the German Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (DGNM) application finds.

Irritable bowel syndrome is usually extremely unpleasant for those affected, but does not pose major health risks. (Image: photophonie / fotolia.com)

Thus, the irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by chronic bowel problems (such as abdominal pain and flatulence), which are usually associated with changes in bowel movements, are so strong that sufferers seek medical help and are thus affected in their quality of life relevant. At the same time, there should be no "characteristic of other diseases, which are likely responsible for these symptoms."

In the medical community, alternative names such as spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome are also used for the RDS. Colloquially is sometimes a "nervous gut" speech. In addition, there are other subdivisions of irritable bowel syndrome in various subtypes, such as the spastic colon with abdominal pain in change of constipation and diarrhea or a painless RDS with diarrhea. Also RDS with Constipation Only (RDS-O) is differentiated from RDS with Diarrhea (RDS-D) and RDS with changing Stool Consistencies (RDS-M).

Women are more often affected by irritable bowel syndrome than men. (Image: Stephanie Hofschlaeger / pixelio.de)

Spread and symptoms

In medical practice, the RDS is one of the most widespread complaints. According to the DGVS and the DGNM, depending on the type of definition, up to 13.6 percent of the population (Rome I) or even up to 25 percent (Manning) are affected. Women develop about twice as often as men corresponding complaints. Theoretically, the disease can occur at any age and even children are not uncommonly affected.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a safe but very unpleasant condition, which in some cases leads to the complete withdrawal of those affected. The problem is an over-excitability of the intestinal movement with pathologically increased pain sensitivity of the intestine. There is also an increased response to stress. The symptoms of RDS may vary significantly among individuals. Most patients show an abnormal frequency of bowel movements, changes in stool consistency, and increased flatulence.

Many sufferers suffer from significant symptoms such as spasmodic pain, a bloated stomach, alternating diarrhea and constipation and mucus in the stool. But the individual symptoms can vary significantly and sometimes missing individual, supposedly typical symptoms. (Image: reineg / fotolia.com)

Other typical symptoms include spasmodic pain of varying severity, a hard bloated abdomen, diarrhea and constipation, as well as mucous congestion in the stool. The feeling that you have not completely emptied yourself during a bowel movement can occur as well as a noticeable relief after using the toilet. The symptoms are often especially in the morning, whereas the nights are usually experienced as symptom-free. Symptoms may also be present in the stomach and esophagus, such as fullness after eating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and heartburn.

In addition, many sufferers show concomitant common symptoms such as sleep disturbances, urinary symptoms, headaches, back pain, anxiety and depression, menstrual and functional heart complaints. Here, however, the connection with irritable bowel syndrome is often unclear.

causes

The exact causes of the RDS have not yet been finally clarified. It is assumed that an interaction of numerous factors, for example, a significant role is attributed to an altered motility (bowel movement). For example, this is markedly reduced in RDS patients with constipation, whereas in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, motility is unusually high.

Disorders of immune imbalance in the intestine are also discussed as possible causes. Thus, microinflammatory and neuroimmunological processes in the intestinal mucosa are found in those affected, which are accompanied by a local increase of immune cells and / or so-called EC cells. Many patients also have a genetic predisposition, their sympathetic parasympathetic activation is altered and the intestinal flora is impaired in quality and quantity.

Stress is closely related to the onset of symptoms in many sufferers. (Image: Kaspars Grinvalds / fotolia.com)

As a possible trigger further gastrointestinal infections are known and also a connection with stress is considered most likely. Thus, according to the current treatment guidelines, "acute stress as a co-factor for the development or maintenance of the symptoms" can be assumed, and this can adversely affect the course of an RDS. Both acute and chronic stress have an influence on the gastrointestinal functions. However, no clear causal relationship between RDS and mental stress has yet been demonstrated.

The DGVS and the DGNM conclude in their treatment guidelines that various molecular and cellular mechanisms, individually and in combination, are relevant for the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, although their frequencies and specificity remain partly unclear.

diagnosis

Since irritable bowel syndrome is a so-called "exclusion diagnosis", organic diseases (for example colon and stomach carcinoma, gastric and duodenal ulcer, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis and thyroid dysfunction) must be confirmed by comprehensive medical examinations (including blood tests). and stool examination, ultrasound of the abdomen, one-time reflection in the digestive tract, removal of tissue samples). Only when it is actually ensured that no other illness is present, and all other criteria of the current treatment guidelines are met, can a reliable diagnosis be assumed.

therapy

The treatment options are usually based on various conventional and alternative measures, with a change in lifestyle and diet is usually in the foreground. However, according to the treatment guidelines of DGVS and DGNM, due to the heterogeneity of irritable bowel syndrome, there is no standard therapy and each treatment initially has a probative character.

Basically, the patients should first be given a "conclusive pathophysiological concept of symptom genesis" in which "in particular the relationship between stress or emotions and somatic symptoms" is informed, according to the recommendation in the treatment guidelines. The exclusion of threatening illnesses should be made comprehensible for those affected in order to reduce their fears.

Probiotics may also be used in the treatment of RDS, as well as spasmolytics or SSRIs. In addition, there are many different remedies available for the targeted treatment of the various symptoms. (Image: savo40 / fotolia.com)

The drug therapy depends on the symptoms and is used to alleviate the symptoms. For this purpose, the different subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome are used. If there is an RDS with diarrhea, so-called antidiarrheals are used, while laxatives are used in RDS-O. The concomitant intake of probiotics should contribute to a normalization of the intestinal flora and against the pain, so-called spasmolytics or SSRI can be used if necessary. If the drug treatment does not show the desired success, according to the treatment guidelines, it must be stopped after three months at the latest - with individual active substances much earlier.

If there are indications in the diagnosis of an interaction of the symptoms with psychological stress, psychotherapy may be appropriate in addition to the general medical care. Overall, "psychotherapeutic procedures (intestinal hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy) are effective for the treatment of RDS and should be integrated into a therapeutic concept," the guidance in the treatment guidelines of DGVS and DGNM.

Both psychotherapeutic measures and hypnotherapies have a positive effect on many RDS patients. (Image: sylv1rob1 / fotolia.com)

Adjustments to diet and lifestyle can significantly reduce discomfort for many sufferers. Individual triggers of symptoms such as stress or certain foods should be avoided. Also, a regulated daily routine, a balanced diet and sufficient physical exercise are often recommended, but here is a clear statement on the effect is not possible. For example, many patients benefit from a well-digestible, low-irritation and healthy diet, e.g. with steamed fruits and vegetables (raw food and whole grain intensify the complaints mostly), but this does not apply equally to all concerned.

Although there is no single nutritional recommendation against the RDS, but with different diets can be individually differentiated act against the symptoms. Also, the use of soluble fiber (such as psyllium) for the treatment of patients with pain and / or RDS-O on.

Naturopathy

The current treatment guidelines explicitly state that phytotherapeutic therapy can be used in patients with faecal irregularities and / or pain. The plant mixture STW-5 (Iberogast), consisting of extracts of Iberis amara (bitter flower - fresh whole plant), angelica root, chamomile flowers, caraway fruits, milk thistle fruits, lemon balm leaves, peppermint leaves, celandine and licorice root, is recommended here, for example, for treatment attempts with RDS-O.

Caraway oil can be used internally but also externally against irritable bowel syndrome. (Image: rdnzl / fotolia.com)

In the naturopathic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is often resorting to medicinal plants, in particular, the internal use of peppermint oil and caraway oil has also recognized in conventional medicine effect. They help especially against the chair irregularities and against accompanying pain. Depending on the individual symptoms, various other medicinal plants (for example anise, fennel, caraway, coriander and peppermint) are used, which can also be taken as tea.

In the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, naturopathy also focuses on external applications such as abdominal massages, stretching and wrapping - all with scientifically proven success. For example, in a study from 2016, the effect was clearly confirmed for cumin oil supplements. Other external applications such as acupuncture are also to be considered in individual cases.

Yoga is often recommended for patients with RDS as it promotes stress reduction and positively affects the body's perception. (Image: gstockstudio / fotolia.com)

Furthermore, relaxation techniques such as yoga, autogenic training, tai-chi, qigong or meditation can be used to alleviate the symptoms, whereby the altered body perception plays a special role alongside the reduction of stress.

Last but not least, in naturopathy various methods of medical experience are used, in which, in particular, intestinal rehabilitation and the intake of probiotics can often produce clearly positive effects. The use of healing clay is a tried and tested method of treatment. Similarly, osteopathy often has a positive effect.

For patients whose illness is closely related to mental health problems, hypnosis therapy is often used, and with the help of homeopathy and Schüssler salts, the naturopathic treatment may be supplementarily attempted to specifically alleviate individual complaints. Ultimately, it requires a comprehensive therapy concept that is tailored to the particular symptoms and the situation of those affected. (jvs, fp, updated on 09.08.2016)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)