Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, gas, and mucus in your stools. Often the diarrhea alternates with constipation, though you may also have periods of normal bowel movements. Although it isn’t considered serious in terms of medical diseases since it doesn’t cause inflammation of the intestinal lining or increase your risk of colorectal cancer, it is extremely distressing for the person who has it, mainly because of the unpredictable episodes of diarrhea.

Allopathic (Western) medicine doesn’t have a good explanation for the causes of IBS, though they do identify triggers such as such as certain foods (dairy, alcohol, chocolate, fruits/vegetables, caffeine, and sweeteners), stress, and “hormones” (since women are affected more often, and because symptoms get worse around menstruation).

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very successful at treating IBS. If you have already read the page on diarrhea, I explained that loose or pencil-thin stools can be caused by a weakened digestive function, known as “Spleen Qi Deficiency” (the ancient Chinese thought that the Spleen digested food, but it actually refers to the digestive function of the stomach in modern day). Other symptoms may include fatigue, lethargy, bloating and gas, weakness, dizziness, poor appetite, weight gain, diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, cravings for sweets, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, easy bruising, obsessive worry, and/or some kinds of headaches (it doesn’t have to be all of these, and this is only a partial list of potential symptoms). The digestive function can be weakened by eating too many cold and raw foods, undercooked grains, too many fruits, juices, and sweets, too much cold water or iced beverages/frozen foods, too many hard-to-digest herbs, and herbs that are not the correct ones for your particular set of symptoms. Dairy and tofu will also aggravate symptoms. Spleen Qi Deficiency is usually one part of the Chinese Medical diagnosis for IBS.

The other part of the diagnosis is “Liver Qi Stagnation.” In TCM, the Liver (in energetic terms) governs the smooth flow of energy (“Qi”) throughout the entire body. When Liver Qi stagnates, we may get symptoms such as muscle tension, sharp/ stabbing pain, menstrual cramps, headaches/migraines, constipation, depression, and irritability. Liver Qi stagnates primarily due to suppressed anger and frustration, and foods and beverages such as coffee/caffeine, alcohol, and rich and greasy foods. When a women is about to menstruate, her Liver Qi starts to “move.” If the Liver Qi has been stagnant, it can cause symptoms such as PMS, menstrual cramps, clots, and headaches/migraines. When the Spleen is also weak combined with Liver Qi Stagnation, it is easy for the “Liver Qi to invade the Spleen” and cause the alternating diarrhea and constipation of IBS. Note that the list of “triggers” listed in the allopathic paragraph near the top of this page are the same “triggers” listed for the TCM diagnosis Spleen Qi Deficiency + Liver Qi Stagnation.

My recommendations:

If you have blood in your stools, you should always see your health care provider immediately to rule out serious conditions.

If you have chronic or chronic-intermittent diarrhea, see your health care provider for diagnosis. You need to be evaluated for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, diverticulosis, infections, colon cancer, or other more serious diseases.

If you have chronic or chronic-intermittent diarrhea, you are losing too many nutrients and electrolytes, which can lead to many other health conditions, such as pain, sleeplessness, headaches and migraines, and fatigue. You will need to take a good multivitamin-mineral in an easily-absorbable form to replace lost nutrients. You are also probably also getting dehydrated. Be sure to drink room temperature or warm/hot beverages, and drink small amounts frequently. Organic chicken broth will likely be helpful.

Read the pages on diarrhea and constipation for more information on each subject and additional self-help techniques. It is very important to read the pages on Food sensitivities and intolerances, since they can also cause alternating constipation and diarrhea, as can candida.

Acupuncture is extremely effective for treating IBS, and if there are no complicating food intolerances/sensitivities that need to be discovered, often just a couple of treatments will eliminate 80-90% of symptoms. You may get recurrences when under periods of increased stress, but that can be treated promptly. Your acupuncturist is likely to recommend Free and Easy Wanderer, which strengthens the Spleen Qi and “smooths” the Liver Qi.

Eliminate or cut down on caffeine, alcohol, rich and greasy foods. Follow the foods recommended on the digestive page.

Disclaimer: The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Information on this web site is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. The products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or, medical problems. Nutritional benefits may vary from one person to another.