Natural treatment of irritable colon

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder whose symptoms include abdominal pain without infectious causes that justify it. The colonoscopies come out correct, there are no markers in the analyzes or visualizations that indicate an accurate diagnosis; however, people with irritable bowel suffer a significant reduction in their quality of life every day.

irritable bowel symptoms

The “Clinical Practice Guideline” published by the Spanish Journal of Digestive Diseases points out, as the predominant complaint of patients suffering from irritable colon, symptoms such as recurrent abdominal bloating and pain along with constipation. The outbreaks manifest with moderate cramping pain, which improves after going to the bathroom and sleeping.

But to make a good differential diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, it is necessary to observe if for at least six months more than half of the symptoms occur following:

Recurrent abdominal pain two or more days a week. Radiating pain in the back (dorso-lumbar area) or legs. Alternating constipation and diarrhea. Changes in the form of stools. Great improvement after evacuation. Abdominal distension. Fatigue. Painful sex. Night awakenings due to restlessness.

Why is it hard to diagnose?

Gastrointestinal diseases are diverse. Most present objective, clearly diagnosable signs and symptoms. However, irritable bowel becomes a mixed bag that misleads patients and doctors due to the lack of useful parameters for its diagnosis. And it is easily confused with other digestive disorders or ends up being attributed to a nervous imbalance.

On the other hand, irritable bowel syndrome affects a 30% of the populationto a greater or lesser degree, with a high prevalence among women. Is there perhaps a hormonal involvement? What factors affect its appearance?

Causes of irritable bowel

It seems that the insomnia that accompanies chronic stress, combined with a microbiota altered by long-standing dysbiosis, is the perfect breeding ground for microinflammations to develop in the intestinal wall.

In turn, some studies, such as the one published in the Journal of Gastroenterology of Mexico in December 2016, have revealed the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and the existence of antibodies against the vinculin protein, which regulates intestinal peristalsis. The alteration of this protein can cause diarrhea and constipation to be suffered alternately.

Although there is a genetic basis, the stress of modern life leads us to seek compensation in foods that are not recommended for our microbiotawhich act as precursors of inflammation and intestinal imbalance.

The role of emotions

People with irritable bowel tend to have low serotonin levels A study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center published in the journal Gastroenterology in 2019 he demonstrated how a shortage of serotonin in the intestine can cause constipation in the same way that it causes depression in the brain.

Although this pathology of the nervous system does not have to be an inducer of intestinal dysfunctions, the study shows that a high percentage of people suffering from depression present alterations in intestinal motility.

Kara Gross Margolis, a specialist in gastroenterology and one of the authors of the study, comments that the intestine contains more neurons than the spinal cord and uses the same neurotransmitters as the brain. Therefore, it is not surprising that both pathologies are caused by the same process. The lack of serotonin in the intestine causes a deterioration of the intestinal mucosa and slows the movement of contents through the gastrointestinal tract.

Why does it affect women more?

Women are usually more prone to anxiety-depressive disorders and, consequently, to be victims of irritable bowel syndrome.

The hormonal changes inherent to the feminine condition constitute a propitiatory factor.

How to treat irritable bowel

We have seen that the psychological factor is the most accepted cause along with food intolerances, hormonal changes and genetics. In addition to addressing these aspects, to improve symptoms you can follow some of these guidelines:

It is essential to take care of the diet to prevent irritable bowel. For this, it is convenient to know what they are recommended foods bitter vegetables, berries, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, eggs, poultry, and white fish. Instead they are unsuitable food and ingredients gluten, dairy, apples, pears, onions, garlic, coffee, chocolate and soft drinks. It is also important Avoid eating too much fiber. Chew well and limit the consumption of legumes and processed and gluten-containing flours. The short-chain carbohydrates that reach the ascending colon undigested generate gases when fermenting that worsen the symptoms. Instead, you can take it without problems tuber carbohydrates (such as potatoes, cassava or carrots), or certain vegetables (for example, chicory, pumpkin, endive and tomato). Herbalists can recommend different medicinal plants to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel. Among them are, for example, the chamomilehe thymethe mint and the valerian, which calm intestinal spasms. Take one or two infusions a day of one of these plants to prevent them.

next to the diet some supplements can help against irritable bowel. Add to your meals a supplement of digestive enzymes, a tablespoon of first cold-pressed crude olive oil and a good probiotic. Do not forget to include in your diet foods that take care of your microbiota. It is essential kill certain pathogenic bacteria and parasitesas the Giardia lamblia, which can induce the disorder. Go to a professional to carry out a stool study if you suspect that it may be your case. Do not forget reduce stress. Eating an adaptogenic plant such as eleutherococcus (1,500 mg in the morning before lunch in periods of two months) and a supplement of magnesium (500 mg half an hour before bedtime) can help control breakouts.

What happens if they detect me Giardia lamblia?

The Giardia lamblia It is a microscopic unicellular parasite found in lakes and small rivers in rural areas, but also in swimming pools, jacuzzis, wells, and even municipal water. They are housed in small cysts, which dissolve and release the parasite once settle in the intestine. The infection occurs after ingesting water or food contaminated with fecal matter. It can also be transmitted from person to person.

The most common symptoms are colic, flatulence, nausea, episodes of watery diarrhea, fatigue or malaise.

If the microbiota is balancedthe infection usually disappears between two and five weeks without the need to take drugs, although intestinal problems usually last for a long time after the disappearance of the parasite.

Taking antibiotics is not always a guarantee of elimination of the Giardia lambliaas it has been seen that there are people who do not respond to treatment and the infection reappears after a short time.

you can try some effective plants to eliminate intestinal parasites: oregano, walnut, mugwort, garlic, cloves, rosemary, grapefruit seeds, aloe vera, pumpkin seeds, sage… There are natural products that include several of these ingredients.

They are usually taken from four to six capsules a day, before meals, although it is always advisable to consult a specialist. The treatment is for a period of 15 days, a break of five and another period of 15 more days.

Let yourself be advised by a professional in the choice of a probiotic that helps regulate the immune system and to balance the intestinal microbiota.