It is a shameful topic and a complex clinical picture at that: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
According to estimates, more than eleven percent of the population worldwide suffer from it.
women more often than men.
Fulda - Nobody likes to talk about complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, flatulence or abdominal pain.
Going to the doctor early could save a lot of suffering.
So what is irritable bowel syndrome all about?
Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms, causes, therapy and nutrition
“IBS is referred to when symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence and changes in bowel movements persist or recur for more than three months.
The symptoms have a relevant impact on quality of life," explains gastroenterologist Dr.
Thomas Günther from the group practice Dres. med.
Günther, Schleipen and Stienecker in conversation with the Fuldaer Zeitung.
The crux of IBS: A diagnosis cannot be made that easily.
"The prerequisite is that no other diseases are responsible for the symptoms," says Dr.
Gunther.
Put simply, it is a diagnosis of exclusion.
The diagnosis of IBS can only be made if, for example, colon cancer, lactose or fructose intolerance, incorrect colonization or infection of the intestine by pathogens can be ruled out.
"Ultimately, it is a heterogeneous, multifactorially influenced disease process," the gastroenterologist from Fulda makes clear.
According to Dr.
Günther cannot therefore be answered in general terms.
"There are a variety of triggers and mechanisms for the disease - including changes in intestinal motility, pain perception, mucosal function, immune balance and the intestinal microbiome.
A genetic predisposition, gastrointestinal infections and previous antibiotic treatments can also play a role in the development of IBS.”
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Irritable bowel syndrome often manifests itself in symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence and changes in bowel movements.
© David Ebener/dpa
Often the reason lies on the plate.
Foods such as onions, legumes or raw vegetables are not always tolerated by IBS patients.
dr
However, Günther makes it clear: “No uniform nutritional recommendations can be given for all patients with IBS.” While some should avoid certain dietary fibers, they are helpful for others.
"But there are numerous individual recommendations that are based on the respective symptoms," says the expert.
So what can be done to get this often chronic disease under control?
"In principle, the best solution is to identify trigger foods by keeping a food and symptom diary and ultimately eliminate them from the diet," advises the specialist.
You can read exactly how this works in the information box.
Fodmap Diet
In connection with IBS, doctors recommend avoiding so-called fodmaps.
“Fodmap's are short-chain carbohydrates that are difficult to absorb in the small intestine.
To do this, they are quickly fermented by bacteria in the large intestine, which can lead to abdominal pain, flatulence and loose stools," explains Dr.
Gunther.
These include cereals such as wheat, dairy products, some types of vegetables such as cabbage, stone fruit or bread and sweets.
With the Fodmap diet, certain food groups to which the body particularly reacts are left out for a good six weeks.
Poorly tolerated ingredients are lactose, fructose, gluten or fructans.
After the gastrointestinal has calmed down, the Fodmap's are gradually reintroduced.
In this way, those affected can find the culprit.
Because the diet can be challenging, according to Dr.
Günther helpful to work together with a specialist for nutritional advice.
But those affected can also find recipes online (e.g. at fodmaps.de) or in guides (e.g. “Eat deliciously – irritable bowel syndrome”) that can help with the changeover.
"In the case of existing food intolerances, this is an independent clinical picture that must be differentiated from IBS," says Dr.
Gunther fixed.
So if someone finds that he or she does not tolerate grain well, they may have gluten intolerance - but not necessarily irritable bowel syndrome.
Those affected can also find more information at "Magda" on: magendarm-forum.de
As is so often the case, the psyche plays a role in the disease that should not be underestimated.
The brain communicates with the gut on the so-called gut-brain axis.
"Psychological stress, anxiety and depression can have a negative impact on the clinical picture," explains Dr.
Gunther.
But he also says: "There is hardly any valid data for an increase in irritable bowel syndrome." From his point of view, what has increased is above all the perception of IBS in the population, the media and industry.
Finally, the advice expert reminds those affected: “It is absolutely important – even in the case of new symptoms and any additional warning symptoms such as blood in the stool, weight loss or abnormal laboratory values – to rule out serious clinical pictures.
In this regard, good interdisciplinary cooperation between general practitioners and specialists is required in order to make optimal use of the scarce resources in the healthcare system.”
Even without irritable bowel syndrome, more and more people are paying attention to their diet.
A trend that is becoming increasingly popular is “clean eating”.
The diet is about regional, seasonal and fresh food without additives.
(nala)
List of rubrics: © David Ebener/dpa
