My Family Digest
The Principal Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an often cited but in fact little understood condition, which should not be confused with common digestive upsets, albeit that the symptoms can be similar.
In fact research now suggests that IBS may be caused by a malfunctioning of the intricate complex of muscles and nerves which together control the vital organs of the intestinal tract. This highly delicate system of nerves is contained within the muscles which run the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus to the rectum, and these nerves are of course closely associated and in constant communication with those travelling along the spinal cord to the brain. Such a highly complex and sensitive system is of course readily subject to disruption, and it is clear that any dysfunction or stress on the spinal column nerves may easily also affect those of the intestines.
Like the body's other organs, the operations of the intestines are controlled by two types of nerves; commonly referred to as sensory and motor. As the term implies, the sensory nerves are concerned with monitoring and responding to the innumerable stimuli which act on the incredibly complex system which is the human body. In simple terms, the role of the sensory nerves is then to relay the necessary information about these stimuli to the brain, which then initiates the necessary response from the organs concerned. In the case of the intestinal organs, the two most common motor responses likely to be instructed by the brain are the contraction and/or relaxation of the associated muscles, and the secretion of various fluids - acid, bile, digestive enzymes etc - by the stomach, colon and other organs.
Now all of these are very powerful, albeit natural and necessary, biochemicals, which are more than capable of severely upsetting the body's systems if released at the wrong time or in inappropriate quantities. And in the light of the above observations, the hypothesis is that this may well happen because of a malfunction of the central nervous system which may have nothing to do with the digestive system as such. Any physical or psychological stress on the system, in fact, may all too easily manifest itself as an intestinal problem (eg IBS), as sufferers from the so-called "nervous stomach" have long been only too well aware. A dysfunction of the intestinal sensory nerves, for example, may well result in a perfectly normal sensation of fullness after a meal, and the consequent stretching of the intestines, being interpreted by the brain as a pain stimulus.
Likewise, any malfunction of the motor nerves may produce an incorrect response to normal stimuli, for example a painful muscular spasm, or a malfunction of the organ concerned. In many sufferers of IBS, it appears that the action of both the sensory and motor nerves may be disturbed, and that the malfunction of both is thereby compounded as the sensory nerves are forced to respond to the incorrect action of the motor nerves.
Although the above may seem somewhat abstract, and remains the subject of scientific debate, there are other, more empirical areas, to which sufferers from IBS may usefully have regard. For example, the poor digestion and absorption of dietary sugars appears to play a significant role in producing and exacerbating the symptoms of IBS. Particularly common, and important, is a difficulty in digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk; and the fruit sugar, fructose, is often also mentioned by sufferers as an apparent trigger. This is potentially very problematic as this is the sugar frequently used in large quantities in processed and convenience foods,
Likewise, dietary fat can give rise to particular problems for IBS sufferers as an aggravator of the symptoms. One of the most common of these, provoked by both fat and sugar, it has to be said, is the production and retention of large quantities of intestinal gas, leading to an unsightly and uncomfortable distension of the abdomen as the day goes on. More seriously, IBS implies a malfunction of the digestive system which can lead to undesired weight loss or even malnutrition. Fortunately there are now numerous reasonably effective palliatives available for this distressing condition, and careful observation and control of the diet will help significantly, although the more fundamental causes outlined above remain to some extent mysterious.
Steve Smith is a writer and researcher on health matters. Find out more about IBS at Herbal Colon Cleanse
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Added: 21 октября 2009