Ask the Doctors About Irritable Bowel

I would like some information about irritable bowel syndrome - cause and treatment.

* * *Answered by Myron B. Lezak, M.D., Gastroenterologist

Cause is unknown but is related to diet and emotional factors which effect the intrinsic muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Frequently there may also be some disorder and imbalance of normal bacterial flora of the colon. Our approach to the irritable bowel syndrome is a "holistic" one involving an understanding of a healthy life-style consisting of a diet primarily of whole, non processed foods, whole grains, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and avoidance of refined sugars or grains.

A diet which avoids processed fats such as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (e.g. those found in margarine and many bakery items) is quite important. Some people with Irritable bowelmay also be sensitive to dairy products, eggs and wheat products and a trial of avoiding these foods may be beneficial. In addition, the perception of your life as a series of stressful events has a great deal to do with the way the muscles of the GI tract function. Examine your life and understand what kinds of stresses you are allowing in to control your thoughts and behaviors. Try to see them as situations that you can deal with and not as ongoing sources of distress. This may take some shift in your thinking that may (depending on you and your circumstances) require some mind-body techniques such as meditation or yoga to quiet your mind. With this approach, you can overcome much of the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome.


DISCLAIMER: The material contained here should not be considered a
substitute for a physician. These are only general guidelines to help
you think about the medical possibilities. You are encouraged to consult
your own health care provider with any questions or concerns you may
have regarding your condition.

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Dr. Nancy Appleton, writer, lecturer, researcher, Santa Monica, Cal.
Specialty - Nutrition, allergies, degenerative diseases
Ph.D. in Health Services. Walden University, Bonita Springs, Fl.
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MD University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City KS
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Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, UBC, Canada.
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University Hospital and Medical Center
State University of New York at Stony Brook
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MehilŠinen Hospital Group, Kielotien laakariasema, Finland
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Labels: bacterial flora, gastroenterologist, gastrointestinal tract, hydrogenated vegetable oils, intrinsic muscles, irritable bowel syndrome, processed foods, refined sugars, whole grains