What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease. It's a functional disorder, which means that the bowel simply does not work as it should.
- (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon).
- (IBS) commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.
Is IBS common?
3% - 22%
Prevalence world-wide
20 - 50%
Reason of gastroenterology visits
26%
prevalence among children with recurrent abdominal pain
40%
onset before age 35
50%
onset age 35 – 50
The Human Colon
Colon is the part of the large intestine, the last portion of the human gastrointestinal tract.
It provides 3 main functions:
- The organ for storing waste products by elimination of toxic waste material in the form of stool
- Reabsorbing water from wastes and maintaining water balance in the body
- Serves at the site for the growth of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms
The contraction of the colon muscles and the movement of its contents is controlled by nerves, hormones, and impulses in the colon muscles. These contractions move the contents inside the colon toward the rectum. During this passage, water and nutrients are absorbed into the body, and what is left over is stool.
However, if the muscles of the colon do not contract in the right way, the contents inside the colon do not move correctly. Resulting in abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, a sense of incomplete stool movement, or diarrhea (IBS Symptoms)!
Causes of IBS
- Abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) tract movements
- Dysbiosis due to antibiotic treatment
- A change in the nervous system communication between the GI and brain
- Sensory and motor disorders of the colon
- Dietary allergies or food sensitivities
- Neurotransmitter imbalance (decreased serotonin levels)
- Severe lack of fiber intake
- Stress
- Old age
- Infection
- Alcohol or smoking
Symptoms
Pain, distension or abdominal discomfort and bloating
Abnormal bowel habits with periods of constipation and / or diarrhea
Sensation of incomplete bowel movement
Mucus in the stool
What is Butyrate?
Butyrate is produced when the human gut microbiota, mainly butyrogenic bacteria ferments dietary non-digestible carbohydrates (fiber such as whole vegetables and fruits, beans and lentils, whole wheat, and other grains). Butyrate is one of the end products called short chain fatty acid, SCFA of this fermentation process. Where butyrate is used as a treatment for IBS.
How Sodium Butyrate Works as
IBS Treatment
- 70% of energy used by the colon is from butyrate
- Relieves constipation
- Provides good environment for good bacteria to grow
- Keeps pathogens and bad bacteria from causing damage
Prevents growth of bad bacteria and pathogens that harm the intestine
Decrease inflammation, less abdominal pain
Less incidence of diarrhea occurrence
Ensures the intestine is in healthy and rejuvenated state
This is for educational purposes only. Kindly consult healthcare professionals for further information.