Irritable Bowel Syndrome (commonly called IBS) is a condition that affects the entire gastrointestinal tract. It alters intestinal modality resulting in phases of diarrhoea alternating with constipation and sometimes accompanied by pain. Women are affected three times more often than men, starting from the teenage years onwards.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is exacerbated by various stimuli such as wheat, dairy products (except natural yoghurt), citrus fruit, alcohol, tea, coffee and other caffeine products. An imbalance of intestinal flora caused by a previous viral, bacterial or parasite infection can lead to inflammation and spasm of the condition. Anxiety and stress reactions appear often to be a contributing factor. The digestive tract reacts with excessive contractions of the large intestines, resulting in abnormal bowel movements and pain caused by the spasms, as well as increased sensitivity of pain receptor nerves in the small intestine above the bowel.
Read the list of foods, herbs and recipes to help relieve this irritating condition in the main article.