Wellbeing Nutrition

I am seeing an increasing number of children in my practice with IBS and digestive problems.

Symptoms can be distressing and frequently disrupt both school and home life. Parents are also affected and are obviously anxious to find a solution to the suffering of their children.

Today, children and young people are growing up with far more dietary and environmental hazards than did previous generations. Children are generally not major fans of a simple, natural diet, high in plant based foods and water!

As a consequence, they are more likely to experience the consequences of a refined and high sugar diet.

The digestive tract will feel the impact of this first. It is possible that food intolerance could also play a part in childhood IBS symptoms. Foods containing wheat, dairy products, eggs and yeast can be amongst the key dietary culprits for both children and adults with IBS.

A scientifically validated food intolerance test, undertaken with guidance from a qualified nutritional practitioner can help to identify any problem foods and potentially improve the symptoms of IBS.

Please vistit our food intolerance testing page to find out how this works and to order a test.

In my clinic, as you might expect, I meet a wide range of people seeking help with an equally wide range of disorders. High on the list is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

By the time I see a client for the first time they have usually been told that nothing can be done to help them. Nutritional therapy offers an alternative approach.

Let us take IBS as an example.

IBS symptoms can include severe diarrhoea, constipation, cramps, bloating or all of these. An inflamed colon often manifests in other ways too, such as fatigue and skin problems. Of course, every client must be treated individually, but a typical treatment would begin with drinking plenty of pure water every day, to help re-hydrate the colon.

Golden linseeds, soaked in water overnight could be taken each morning to help soothe inflammation of the Gastrointestinal Tract as well as adding bulk and aiding peristalsis. This is the term used to describe the natural rippling, wave-like movement of the colon.

Irregular movements may be felt as abdominal cramps, a common feature of IBS. Aloe Vera juice is an excellent internal anti-inflammatory and can be taken daily in water or juice.

Herbal teas such as peppermint, camomile and Irish Moss can also be very soothing.

Whilst diets are prepared in consultation with each client, I would normally recommend avoiding high concentrations of meat, dairy and wheat products, and any food or drink which noticeably worsens the symptoms.

Stress can be both a cause and an effect of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Constant pain, bloating and unpredictable bowel habits can cause significant disruption to lifestyle and increase any existing stress and anxiety.

The demands of the 21st century often result in relaxation and leisure being relegated to the very bottom of our list of priorities. We all dream about having time off, but even that time, if it ever materialises can end up being filled with a whole host of activities.

People with IBS tend to set very high expectations for themselves and can feel that legitimate time off to relax is just being lazy! If this is you, then give these ideas a try.

• Take a 5 minute break during your working day. This may be trickier than it sounds. Start by taking a few deep breaths and just focussing on them. Even 1 minute spent doing this is a helpful start.

• Take up a hobby, sport or pursuit, ideally away from work and home. Swimming, golf, bingo, football, walking all help to give the mind something to focus on.

• If IBS symptoms mean staying close to home, you can still choose an interest that you can lose yourself in, depending on your tastes. This could be gardening, painting, knitting, writing or DIY. Pursuits that mean that YOU have to get involved and do or create something are best.

• Invest in a relaxation CD or tape. The art of true relaxation takes time to learn, but the investment is worth it.

None of these ideas are intended as a quick fix for IBS, but rather as useful tools for the management and alleviation of symptoms.

IBS has to be one of the most talked about disorders of the 21st century.

It seems to have become more prevalent in recent years. This could be due to a number of factors including eating a more refined diet, stressful lifestyles, irregular eating patterns and the increasing use of chemicals in the food chain.

In fact, IBS has probably been around for a long time but may have been given different names, such as sensitive stomach or simply indigestion.

Newspaper and magazine articles, as well as the wealth of information on the Internet has certainly raised the profile of IBS. This has possibly resulted in more people believing that they have the condition.

It is very important to obtain a proper diagnosis of IBS as more serious disorders of the digestive tract can have similar symptoms.

IBS sufferers are sometimes accused of being either hypochondriacs or else having imagined or greatly exaggerated their symptoms, after extensive tests reveal no sign of disease.

IBS is certainly not an imaginary complaint and, thankfully, the medical profession is now recognising this.

Stress and anxiety can certainly worsen existing symptoms and could even be a primary cause in some cases.

However, the effects of these factors can be very physical. Abdominal pain is at least in part caused by spasms in the colon when normal, regular muscular contractions become disrupted.

Some doctors prescribe anti-depressants for their IBS patients. Of course, depression can precede IBS and the symptoms can also result in the person becoming depressed. However, such an approach does not address underlying causes or in any way help to treat the physical symptoms of IBS.

Around one person in three suffers with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the UK.

So, if you are out with a group of friends, statistically two of you at least will have experienced IBS.

IBS is the given medical diagnosis when no other disorder can be identified. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, wind, constipation, diarrhoea and nausea. IBS would appear to be an increasing health problem.

What causes IBS? There could be many reasons but dietary factors and stress have to be high on the list of possible causes.

IBS can develop at any age and is slightly more prevalent in women than men. IBS usually manifests as a combination of symptoms affecting the digestive tract. These may vary from person to person.

Wheat is a well known source of dietary fibre. As a result, IBS sufferers are frequently encouraged to eat wholegrain products such as bread and cereal. However for those with a sensitivity to wheat, this can make their IBS problems worse.

Wheat based products form a significant part of the Western diet, with bread being one of the most frequently consumed foods. However many people, not just those who have IBS, are intolerant have trouble digesting it.

Wheat joined the food chain relatively late on in human evalution and is quite an acidic grain. In addition, an average field of wheat is sprayed up to 7 times with 14 different chemicals. These chemicals are inevitably going to enter the food chain and have an impact on digestive health.

Wheat bread alternatives include rye bread, oat cakes and rice cakes. Cereal alternatives could include oat porridge, rice based cereals and wheat-free muesli.

Vegetables and fruits provide a good source of dietary fibre and as a result they can often be a much better alternative to wheat for IBS sufferers.

What IBS sufferer is going to drink something potentially poisonous? You would be surprised!

Water is really the only drink we require as humans, but you would not think so to look at the endless aisles of bottles, cans and cartons in our supermarkets.

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies can bring some healthful value to our diet. Other soft drinks do not.

Many have a passing reference to fruit. Lemonade is an example but that is about all. An alarming number are simply a synthetic cocktail, dominated by either sugar or sweeteners, or both.

Taken on an ongoing basis these drinks can create acidity and toxicity in the body, irritate the digestive tract and upset the balance of blood sugar. Conditions such as IBS can also be further aggravated.

Healthier alternative soft drinks for IBS sufferers could include pure, sparkling fruit juice or pure fruit concentrate with sparkling water.

Drinking at least 6 glasses of filtered or bottled water each day can benefit all aspects of health, not just IBS.