Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine also known as the colon. The other name given to this disorder is “spastic colon.” Although it is common in both sexes, the condition affects women more than it affects men. IBS is not life-threatening nor linked to cancer, but its chronic nature can significantly affect quality of life.
The symptoms of IBS fluctuate depending on the individual. Sometimes, it may lessen and even disappear.
Signs of IBS may include:
- Gas and bloating
- Chronic stomach pain
- Runny stools (diarrhea)
- Constipation
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor, as they can be related to other, more serious conditions.
Causes and treatment of IBS:
In many cases, IBS is caused by food allergy. If you suffer from stomach discomfort, consider getting an allergy test so your doctor can determine if your discomfort is caused by allergy.
In the past, allergy patients were advised to simply stop eating the foods that caused their allergies. New research,1 though, has shown that a treatment known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may help reduce the effects of food allergy. SLIT uses under-the-tongue allergy droplets to help desensitize patients to foods that cause allergy. This allows them to tolerate more food so they can enjoy more of the foods that lead to allergy symptoms.
Other treatments of IBS include anti-diarrheal medications, intake of fiber supplements and avoiding gas-causing foods.
To find out if food allergy may be contributing to your IBS and to learn more about sublingual immunotherapy for food allergy, contact AllergyEasy.
1 See Research Studies for medical literature on sublingual immunotherapy for food allergies.
