Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to cramp-like pains, gassiness, bloating, and noticeable changes in bowel habits. The symptoms of IBS can be different in each sufferer. Some people with IBS suffer from constipation, that is to say difficult or infrequent bowel movements. Others suffer from diarrhoea with frequent loose stools, often accompanied by an urgent need to move the bowels. A further set of sufferers experience both. Sometimes the person with IBS has a cramp-like urge to move the bowels but is completely unable to do so.

IBS sufferers may experience a combination of some of these symptoms, with one symptom in particular occurring more regularly or with greater severity. The symptoms vary from the mild, where the quality of life is not really affected, to the extremely severe, prompting the sufferer to seek medical assistance.

The nature of symptoms exhibited by IBS sufferers is such that all complementary therapists dealing with what, by the client's description of symptoms, is apparently IBS should ensure that their client has already been examined by their medical practitioner, and that no structural cause for the symptoms has been found. Only when it has been established by a qualified doctor that no structural cause can be determined should complementary therapies be employed. If a client has not sought medical opinion then a responsible therapist must ensure that this was their client's first concern.

Because Irritable Bowel Syndrome is such a loose collection of symptoms, there is no one definitive 'cure' for IBS. However, there are a number of self-help treatments that can alleviate and improve symptoms, such as diet and complementary therapies such as hypnosis.

Through the years, IBS has been called by many names; colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, spastic
bowel, and functional bowel disease. However the majority of these terms are inaccurate. For example, Colitis means inflammation of the large intestine, the colon. IBS, however, does not cause inflammation and therefore should not be confused with another disorder, ulcerative colitis.

The cause of IBS is not known, and as yet there is no absolute cure. A doctor of medicine would call it a functional disorder because there is no sign of any disease when the colon is examined. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not appear to cause permanent harm to the intestines and does not lead to intestinal bleeding of the bowel or to the development of serious diseases such as cancer. For some people IBS is just a mild annoyance, but for others it can be completely disabling. Those who suffer greatly may be unable to go to social events, unable to go to work, or even to travel even short distances. Fortunately most people with IBS do manage to control their symptoms through medications prescribed by their physicians, management of diet, stress management, and hypnotherapy.

The colon, which is about 6 feet long, connects the small intestine with the rectum and anus. The major function of the colon is to absorb water and salts from digestive products that enter from the small intestine. Around two litres of liquid matter enter the colon from the small intestine each day. This material may remain there for several days until most of the fluid and salts are absorbed into the body. The stool then passes through the colon by a pattern of movements to the left side of the colon, where it is stored until a bowel movement occurs.

For many people, eating a proper diet lessens IBS symptoms. However, before a person changes their diet it would be advisable for them to keep a journal noting which foods seem to cause distress. These findings can then be discussed with a dietician or medical adviser. A change in diet can help IBS symptoms, even though such symptoms vary between different people. So do peoples' reactions to different foods vary. In general terms, a change of diet to increase the amount of soluble fibre can be extremely beneficial. To achieve this the diet should contain more fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain foods, coupled with plenty of fresh drinking water. Some foods can be potential irritants and their consumption will trigger IBS symptoms

The potential for abnormal function of the colon is always present in people with IBS, but in order for symptoms to present themselves there must be some form of trigger event. As I have already mentioned, evidence suggests the most likely culprits are diet and emotional stress. Many people report that their symptoms occur following a meal or when they are under stress. No one is sure why this happens, but scientists have some clues. Understanding IBS is important because it is easily confused with other similar digestive disorders, such as inflammatory bowel diseases.

There is also an article by the author on How Hypnotherapy Treatments for IBS are Conducted

Copyright © 2006 A J Edwards Colchester

About the Author

Antony J. Edwards DHyp DHP MA FRSH MIAH MBIH LAPHP Nationally Registered Hypnotherapist, Hypnoanalyst and Psychotherapist

Registered within the General Hypnotherapy Register as holding the Senior Qualification in Hypnotherapy Practice.

Tony has earned advanced qualifications in Clinical and Medical Hypnotherapy and Hypnoanalysis. He has further advanced qualifications in Psychotherapy and Behaviour Modification, in Stress Management and Consultancy, in Transpersonal Psychology and in Meridian Energy Therapies.