Irritable bowel syndrome - what is it actually?

According to current understanding, irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the gut-brain axis. This means that the interaction between the intestinal nervous system and the autonomic and central nervous system is disturbed. This defective interaction results in various gastrointestinal complaints that alternate.

Due to the different symptoms that occur in the context of irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome is more difficult to treat than "simple" constipation, for example. On the other hand, it is also more difficult to diagnose the syndrome in the first place. Those affected therefore often suffer for a long time with symptoms that significantly restrict their everyday life.

The difficulties in diagnosis are related to the various symptoms that irritable bowel syndrome sufferers experience. These are often not clearly identifiable and can also occur in connection with food intolerances or hypersensitivities. Irritable bowel syndrome can therefore often only be diagnosed once other triggers for the symptoms have been ruled out.

Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms and causes

Different complaints and symptoms occur in the context of irritable bowel syndrome. They often alternate or occur in combination with each other. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include

- Flatulence
- abdominal pain
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- Feeling of fullness
- Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation

The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome has not yet been clarified. However, there are certain factors that are suspected of causing or contributing to irritable bowel syndrome:

- an unbalanced diet
- a food intolerance that has gone unrecognized for a long time
- Infections in the gastrointestinal tract
- disorders of the intestinal flora (leaky gut syndrome)
- severe psychological stress such as grief, stress and anxiety

Which remedies really help with irritable bowel syndrome?

There are some remedies that help many irritable bowel syndrome sufferers in particular and at least alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of the condition. According to wefix.health, some of these remedies and active ingredients can also be used in combination with each other.

Peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome
Peppermint oil helps to relax the intestinal muscles and can therefore calm the bowel. People who suffer from irritable bowel symptoms therefore often benefit from peppermint oil. A dosage of 500 and 800 mg daily has proven to be particularly effective for many sufferers.

Probiotics for irritable bowel symptoms
The human gut is home to a wide variety of benign bacteria that play an important role in its normal functioning. Benign bacteria include lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.

However, these beneficial bacteria are often found in insufficient numbers in the intestinal flora of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. People with irritable bowel syndrome can therefore consciously increase their intake of probiotic foods (e.g. yoghurt or special probiotic drinks) to help reestablish the bacteria in the intestine and normalize the intestinal flora.

Diarrhea or constipation medication for irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome can lead to an increase in both diarrhea and constipation. Depending on which of these symptoms is currently acute, appropriate medication can be taken to alleviate the symptoms.

However, it should be borne in mind that both laxatives and antidiarrhoeal drugs do not alleviate irritable bowel syndrome as such. However, the drugs usually help reliably against acute irritable bowel symptoms. It should also be noted that with regular use, anti-diarrheal medication can trigger constipation and vice versa. The relevant medication should therefore only be used sparingly and for a short time to relieve acute symptoms.

Antispasmodic medication for irritable bowel syndrome
Many people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome are often plagued by abdominal pain and cramps. Antispasmodic medication (so-called spasmolytics), which relax the intestinal muscles, can help to relieve the pain and cramps that occur.

Butylscopolamine, pinaverium, cimetropium and otilonium are antispasmodics that can often provide relief in connection with irritable bowel syndrome. However, of these active ingredients, only butylscopolamine is available in this country. Medication containing this active ingredient can be bought over the counter in pharmacies.

Psychotherapeutic measures against irritable bowel syndrome
The causes of irritable bowel syndrome have not yet been fully clarified. However, it is suspected that psychological strain, grief and stress can promote the occurrence of gastrointestinal complaints. Accordingly, in some cases, psychotherapeutic treatment or targeted stress reduction can also help against irritable bowel syndrome.

Depending on the possible cause of the symptoms, learning methods for coping with stress and relaxation techniques can be considered as a measure against irritable bowel syndrome. On the other hand, psychotherapeutic measures such as cognitive behavioral therapy can also provide improvement.

However, the latter measures in particular can only be considered if the irritable bowel symptoms are very severe. As part of cognitive behavioral therapy, sufferers then learn how to live better with their symptoms. However, this often also helps to reduce the subjectively perceived symptoms.