| Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a wide | | | | The balance of good and bad bacteria in the |
| variety of symptoms that affect thousands of | | | | intestines and gut is precarious and can be thrown |
| Americans. IBS causes a range of gastrointestinal | | | | off by even the most seemingly innocuous |
| issues including cramping, diarrhea, constipation, | | | | circumstances. There are two main causes of |
| bloating, and abdominal pain. IBS is difficult to | | | | intestinal bacterial imbalance. |
| diagnose, as symptoms tend to be subjective and | | | | The first involves prescription antibiotic treatment. |
| vary from patient to patient, and there is | | | | When an individual takes antibiotics to treat a |
| currently no consistently effective treatment, | | | | bacterial infection, the medication kills good |
| though there are several prescription medications | | | | bacteria in the body in addition to eliminating |
| available targeted to IBS sufferers. | | | | harmful microorganisms. In fact, many antibiotics |
| Many experts believe that IBS is triggered by | | | | carry a risk of gastrointestinal discomfort including |
| stress. Patients have also reported symptoms | | | | gas, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. |
| that linger following a bacterial gastrointestinal | | | | Probiotics can be used to offset the negative side |
| infection. Certain foods can also exacerbate the | | | | effects of antibiotics by restoring good bacteria in |
| condition, especially foods containing gluten and | | | | the digestive tract, thereby promoting bacterial |
| lactose. Other suspected dietary triggers include | | | | balance. |
| artificial sweeteners, overeating, excessive fat | | | | The second way in which bacterial imbalance |
| consumption, and eating too quickly. Some | | | | occurs is through some kind of infection or |
| prescription medications - chiefly antibiotics and | | | | infestation of foreign microorganisms into the |
| certain anti-depressants - can also disrupt the | | | | intestines. This happens as a result of some fungi, |
| balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut and may | | | | yeasts, parasites, and bacteria that cause |
| bring about IBS symptoms. | | | | diseases like IBS. Recent studies have suggested |
| Some of the most widely recognized symptoms | | | | that probiotics may play a part in preventing |
| of IBS are: | | | | these harmful microorganisms from entering the |
| *Abdominal pain or intense discomfort for at least | | | | body and may inhibit or completely stop their |
| 12 weeks a year, though not necessarily | | | | growth. Some patients with IBS have reported a |
| consecutively | | | | reduction of discomfort and fewer symptomatic |
| *Pain that subsides following a bowel movement | | | | days while undergoing probiotic treatment. This |
| *Irregular bowel movements | | | | may include taking probiotic supplements or simply |
| *Bloating | | | | by increasing dietary intake through fortified |
| *Constipation | | | | foods. |
| *Mucous in the stool | | | | Probiotics are typically found in all-natural yogurt, |
| *Changes in the look of the stool | | | | kefir, and miso, as well as in supplement form or |
| According to experts, one of the best ways to | | | | as an additive in cheese, milk, juices, and other |
| ease IBS symptoms is through natural lifestyle | | | | foods. |
| and dietary changes. This includes the use of | | | | Along with adding probiotics to one's diet, |
| probiotics. | | | | individuals with IBS have also shown improvement |
| Probiotics are living microorganisms that work in | | | | by increasing fiber intake, eating slowly and in |
| much the same way as the beneficial bacteria | | | | controlled portions, practicing proven |
| naturally found in the intestines. They can help | | | | stress-reduction methods like yoga and |
| restore the balance of bacteria in the digestive | | | | meditation, and in avoiding foods known to trigger |
| tract, improving bowel function and overall | | | | symptoms. |
| intestinal health. | | | | |