Other names for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Functional Bowel Disorder
Irritable Colon
Non-Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
Spastic Colon

Synopsis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation, or alternating between the two. IBS affects the colon (large intestine) but does not cause structural damage like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). It is a chronic and often lifelong condition, with symptoms that can significantly affect quality of life but do not increase the risk of colon cancer.

IBS is believed to result from disrupted communication between the brain and the gut, leading to abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and sometimes altered gut microbiota. It is most common in young to middle-aged adults and is more prevalent in women.

Types of IBS:

• IBS-D: Predominantly diarrhea

• IBS-C: Predominantly constipation

• IBS-M (Mixed): Alternating diarrhea and constipation

• IBS-U: Unclassified (variable patterns)

Common Causes and Risk Factors:

• Stress and anxiety (gut-brain axis dysregulation)

• History of gastrointestinal infections (post-infectious IBS)

• Food intolerances or sensitivities (e.g., lactose, gluten, FODMAPs)

• Imbalanced gut microbiome

• Hormonal fluctuations (especially in women)

• Family history of IBS

• Antibiotic overuse or early-life gut disruption

Severity Factors:

• Triggers vary widely by individual

• Symptoms can flare cyclically and range from mild to disabling

• Chronic bloating and pain can affect sleep, mental health, and productivity

• Though not dangerous, it may mimic serious conditions like IBD or celiac disease

When to See a Doctor:

• Symptoms persist for more than a few weeks

• Weight loss, anemia, or rectal bleeding

• Nighttime symptoms or waking to defecate

• Family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease

• New symptoms after age 50

Natural remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Low-FODMAP diet: Avoid fermentable carbs that trigger gas and bloating

Eat slowly, chew thoroughly: Reduces swallowed air and bloating

Fiber balance: Soluble fiber (e.g., oats, psyllium) may help; insoluble may worsen symptoms in some

Probiotic supplementation: Can improve gut flora and reduce symptoms

Regular meals and hydration: Promotes consistent bowel movements

Stress management: Yoga, therapy, meditation, and exercise improve gut-brain harmony

Keep a symptom journal: Helps identify food and stress triggers

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners: Common irritants

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

2'-Fucosyllactose
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alexandrian senna
Algae
Aloe vera
alpha-galactosidase
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anise
asafoetida
atractylodes
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
Bacillus indicus
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bayleaf
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
betony
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bitter principals
black salt
blackberry
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bran
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
cannabidiol
chen pi
chia seed
chlorella
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clerodendrum indicum
coriander
cumin
curcumin
Dichrostachys glomerata
dragonhead
Enterococcus
enzyme blend
fennel
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fig
flaxseed
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
ginger
Glucooligosaccharides
green banana
green tea
guar gum
hemicellulose
holarrhena antidysenterica
hyssop
Indian coraltree
Indian frankincense
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Kluyveromyces marxianus
L-glutamine
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus lactis
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Leuconostoc
locust bean gum
lovage
Lysimachia
Malva sylvestris
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nardostachys
oat
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Phellodendron
Pimpinella
Plectranthus amboinicus
plum fruit
pomegranate
Portulaca
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
psyllium
quercetin
quince
resveratrol
rhubarb
Rhus coriaria
Rubus
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sanguisorba
Savory
senna
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
turmeric
Viburnum
vitamin D
White oak
Zinc