Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are two diseases of the intestinal tract. They share some common symptoms such as pain and discomfort among other issues. While IBS has usually been characterized as a functional disease or syndrome with a diagnosis made on a cluster of symptoms in the absence of notable structural abnormalities, IBD is a very similar disorder, at least with a cursory review of symptoms. However, IBD does differ in that it is a collection of disorders characterized by chronic mucosal and/or inflammation of the intestines. I will touch on how they are similar and how they are different. Treatment options are discussed, including the role of the gastrointestinal (GI) flora. Further, we will discuss how the gastrointestinal flora relate to food allergies (FA) and how the same FA can have a relationship with IBS. Discussion is given to detoxification of the gut and how it can play a role in IBS and FA. Concluding, an explanation of how probiotics may be used to help turn off inflammation and detoxify the gastrointestinal tract is presented.

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