Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Condition Description
A condition characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, gas, belching, bloating, distention, constipation, diarrhea or constipation alternating with diarrhea. To the individual, there appears to be no apparent cause.
Common Symptoms
- Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort that may be relieved with bowel movement
- Gas, belching, or bloating
- Abdominal distention
- Diarrhea or constipation alternating with diarrhea
Underlying Causes
- Yeast overgrowth
- Food allergies
- Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
- Deficiency of digestive enzymes
- Bacterial and/or parasitic infections
Traditional Approach
- Treatment is primarily symptomatic
- Laxatives for constipation and anti-diarrheals for diarrhea
- For alternating constipation and diarrhea, laxitives during the constipation phase and loperamide during the diarrhea phase
- Antispasmodics like dicyclomine or hyoscyamine for patients with abdominal pain or bloating
EHAC Approach
- Test for and treat yeast overgrowth
- Test for and treat any food allergies (including hidden food allergies)
- Review patient history and if hypochlorhydria is suspected, treat it empirically
- Review patient history and if history is suggestive of deficiency in digestive enzymes treat it empirically
- Test for and treat any bacterial and/or parasitic infections
