Digestive system consists of gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Food journey begins in your mouth, passes progressively through esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and ends in the anus. Digestive system has its unique function to turning food into nutrients and energy. This process ends with the bowel movement or defecation, which is the elimination of wastes. Additionally, there is connection between gastrointestinal tract and brain called “gut-brain axis”.
The gut is home of a large number of “good” microorganisms, called gut microbiota or gut flora, that include bacteria, viruses, fungi and archea. Gut microbiota has wide beneficial impacts, like maintaining intestinal health, controlling immunity, gut-brain axis, digesting nutrients and many other functions. Several diseases can affect gastrointestinal tract including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What are signs and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is common condition that affects around 30% of Australians. It is characterized by a group of intestinal symptoms that include: abdominal pain, bloating, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, presence of gas and mucus in stools. Pain and discomfort may be stimulated by emotional stress and specific foods. The cause of IBS is poorly understood, but researchers suggest that it is related to a combination of factors including, gastrointestinal muscles disorder (dysmotility), gut-brain axis dysfunction and irritability of gut nerves. Nevertheless, medications can trigger IBS symptoms like antibiotics, antidepressants and antitussives. Gastroenterologists generally perform physical exams and asks for symptoms, medical history, previous medications and stress. Basing on these criteria clinicians may ask for additional diagnosis like blood tests, stools test, X-ray and colonoscopy. IBS is classified into four categories:
• IBS-C (IBS-Constipation): hard or lumpy stools (more than 25%)
• IBS-D (IBS-Diarrhea): loose or watery stools (more than 25%)
• IBS-M (IBS-Mixed): altering diarrhea and constipation
• IBS-U (IBS-Unclassified): hard or lumpy stools (less than 25%), loose or watery stools (less than 25%)
Studies suggest that IBS does not affect severe threat to human health and does not raise the chance of developing cancer.
Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome manageable?
The response is Yes! IBS can be successfully managed if following the right strategies depending on the diagnosis. Clinicians may prescribe medications like muscle relaxants (antispasmodics), antidiarrheal drug, laxatives, antibiotics, probiotics (medications containing good bacteria) etc. Ideal treatment choices also comprise healthy lifestyle and diets by following several key points:

• Avoid eating at late nights
• Maintain normal weight
• Eat balanced smaller meals
• Avoid hunger and overeating
• Avoid violent physical exercises directly after lunch
• Eat more fibers, fruits and vegetables
• Drink plenty water
• Avoid caffeine (from coffee, tea, soda)
• Limit dairy food (if having lactose intolerance)
• Decrease FODMAP foods (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols); these sugars are not absorbed very well by the intestine, increasing fluids, gas and lead to bloating, diarrhea and pain
• Avoid smoking
• Follow relaxation techniques, by exercising frequently, breathing exercises (deep breathing), yoga and meditation