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Common Signs And Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a health ailment that is mainly due to a change in the quality of bowel movements and disruption in brain functionality. However, there are many other reasons which could be considered as a trigger of IBS including a poor diet, stress, sleeping disorders, environmental toxicity, microbiome dysbiosis and more. However, these reasons can vary for every individual so it can get difficult at times to diagnose and reach some specific treatment, supplement protocol or dietary plan that help relieve the problem.

 

So, we bring you a small list of IBS signs and symptoms which could help in recognizing if you are suffering with the same issue.

 

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is one of the most common forms of symptoms when it comes to irritable bowel syndrome. This mainly occurs due to the excessive contraction of muscles or an increase in osmolality, causing water to be “pulled” into the bowels and functioning at a rapid speed.

 

Bloating: Another symptom of IBS is bloating or gas. Bloating is also referred to as gas collected in the intestinal tract or due to inflammation or irritation of the gut from food sensitivities. Gas or flatulence can be due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small or large intestine which distends the abdomen with feeling of fullness and appears to be bigger as the day passes.

 

Constipation: Everyone at one time or another has experienced constipation. Constipation is a condition which develops when an individual has a small volume or infrequency of a bowel movement, causing a toxic build-up of stool in the lower bowels. Some of the reasons behind constipation could be dehydration, lack of proper diet such as high sugar intake with low fiber consumption, and of course, stress. One can easily get rid of this condition by drinking more water, regular exercising, and proper intake of soluble and insoluble fibers.

 

Sleeping Disorders: IBS can also be indirectly related to insomnia as the shift in circadian rhythm can change the ability to have regular bowel movements at the optimal period, i.e. 5 am to 7 am. If you tend to wake up frequently, feel restless in the mornings, and feel a need to sleep in later hours, mind these habits as it could lead to IBS.

 

Food Intolerance: Food intolerance, especially to fermentable carbohydrates can trigger IBS symptoms. Some of the IBS food triggers include dairy, wheat and other grass grains, alcohol, mushrooms, some fruits, and veggies. These foods can also trigger the reaction in people with sensitive stomach leading to food intolerance. Here is my list of anti-inflammatory and low fermentable carbohydrate foods to eat and which ones not to eat [Hyperlink here: https://drsusanne.com/foodlist] to eliminate IBS symptoms such as gas, bloating and inflammation. Follow the list for 6 to 8 weeks and then start incorporating the veggies and fruits slowly back into your diet.

 

Overall, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, are all helpful strategies to mitigate IBS symptoms. It only takes a healthy lifestyle and some improvements in routine to build immunity, optimize your metabolism and prevent any future health issues. All the best!

 

Are you suffering from skin allergies or gut disorder? Visit Dr. Susanne to get the best advice on holistic care services.

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5 Reasons Behind Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

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Chances are, you know someone who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome—a long-term illness characterized by a variety of symptoms, the most common one being extreme tiredness. This syndrome occurs in people of all ages, and even in children. Chronic fatigue syndrome is more likely to develop in women in their mid-20s to mid-40s. 

According to many experts, there is no one specific reason behind it’s development. Let’s talk about some of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and how it can be diagnosed and treated.

Symptoms Of CFS

While long-lasting extreme tiredness is the most common symptom of CFS, there are many other possible CFS symptoms:

 

  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Sore throat
  • Sleep problems
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Feeling sick in general

 

You can see that the symptoms of CFS are very similar to those of many other health issues, which can lead to difficulty and delays in being correctly diagnosed and treated by healthcare professionals.

Common Causes Of CFS

A few of the potential triggers for CFS symptoms include:

Viral Infections:

Everyone suffers from viral infections like colds and flus periodically, but if the proper care is not taken to allow the immune system to fully recover, then chronic fatigue syndrome may later develop. Certain viruses have been found to be linked to the development of CFS, such as the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), the mouse Leukemia Virus and Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6).

Immune System Impairment:

It’s also said that people whose immune system is weak or impaired are more likely to develop CFS. However, this issue alone isn’t enough to diagnose the disorder.

How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated?

The root cause of CFS is often unknown, but the symptoms can be managed effectively with proper care and treatment. Recovery will depend on how your CFS is responding to treatment. 

Some of the common treatments are:

  • CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy)
  • Graded exercise therapy
  • Natural supplements such as vitamins, essential amino acids, and antioxidants to strengthening the mitochondrial function and improve energy production

Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, smoking and other unhealthy habits can also help CFS sufferers to sleep better and have more energy during the day. 

 

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Fungus Among Us!

Are you tired all the time? Feel like you have a hang over every morning even if you did not have any alcohol? Bloated, overweight, constipated and itchy? Have you been to your doctor for these issues and only to receive a blanket diagnosis such as stress induced, psychosomatic or irritable bowel syndrome? You leave the doctor’s office without a definitive answer and back to the same place you started from- tired and miserable. This is a common scenario that is presented to me during some of my new patient’s medical history intake. I can honestly say that at least 30-40% of my patients who have these chronic symptoms have some form of fungal infection, whether it is in their sinuses, lungs, or digestive system. It may not be their primary diagnosis, but definitely a contributing factor to their illness.

Within the Fungi Kingdom, there are yeasts and molds. The most common fungus that can cause a yeast infection in humans is from the Candida species. There are many strains including Candida albicans, C. pseudotropicalis, C. tropicalis, C. monilia, C. rugosa etc. Candida albicans is a very common type of yeast that naturally occurs in the human intestinal tract, but proliferates when there is bacterial imbalance. This can happen when you take antibiotics, which usually wipe out both good and bad bacteria, allowing yeast to multiply freely. A  high carbohydrate, sugar and alcohol diet can create an overgrowth of Candida.  Excess estrogen or birth control pills, steroids, anti-acids can also promote Candida overgrowth.

Often times the symptoms behind Candida infections are diagnosed as more popular diseases like Hyperthyroidism, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease, Lupus, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If you take a look at the symptoms below, it is easy to see why this happens—these more popular diseases have very similar symptoms to Candida.

They include:

  • abdominal gas and bloating
  • headaches
  • migraines
  • excessive fatigue
  • cravings for alcohol
  • anxiety
  • inability to think clearly or concentrate
  • hyperactivity
  • mood swings
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • hyperactivity
  • itching
  • acne
  • eczema
  • depression
  • sinus inflammation
  • pre-menstrual syndrome
  • dizziness
  • poor memory
  • persistent cough
  • earaches
  • low sex drive
  • muscle weakness
  • irritability
  • learning difficulties
  • sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals
  • cognitive impairment
  • thrush
  • athlete’s foot

There are also many more Candida symptoms not listed here. If you are unsure whether or not you could be suffering from Candida, there is a helpful questionnaire online at Dr. William Crook’s website that is easy to fill out. Dr. Crook was one of the first to write a book on Candida called The Yeast Connection and it contains detailed information related to fungal infections. I highly suggest filling out his questionnaire if you feel any of the symptoms above pertain to you.

References:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealthdiets/a/candidadiet.htm

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