How Probiotics Can Help Fight IBS
Probiotics are a hot topic at the moment, particularly for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS is a chronic disease that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
Many people take probiotics in hopes that balancing out their gut bacteria will improve their symptoms.
This article looks at the latest research on probiotics for IBS, including specific strains and symptoms.
What Is IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, as well as bloating, gas, constipation and diarrhea (1).
It affects 7–21% of people worldwide and is three times more prevalent in women than men in the West, though the difference is not as great in Asia (1, 2, 3).
The exact causes of IBS are unknown. However, some suggested causes include changes in digestive motility, infections, brain-gut interactions, bacterial overgrowth, food sensitivities, carbohydrate malabsorption and intestinal inflammation (3, 4).
Eating certain foods can trigger symptoms, and stress can worsen them (3, 5).
IBS is diagnosed when you have abdominal pain at least one day per week for three months, plus at least two of the following symptoms: pain related to a bowel movement, a change in stool frequency or a change in stool appearance (6).
In addition, there are four subtypes of IBS, which relate to the type of bowel movement most often experienced (6):
- IBS-D: Diarrhea-predominant
- IBS-C: Constipation-predominant
- IBS-M: Alternating between diarrhea and constipation
- IBS-U: Unspecified, for people who do not fit into one of the above categories
Another subtype, known as “post-infectious” IBS has also been suggested for people who develop the disease following an infection. This subtype may apply to as many as 25% of people with IBS (3).
Treatment for all subtypes includes medication, diet and lifestyle improvements, the elimination of FODMAPs and lactose and the use of probiotics (3).
FODMAPs are poorly digested types of carbohydrate molecules found naturally in many foods. They can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating, which can exacerbate IBS.
SUMMARY
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. Its causes are not yet understood but may relate to brain-gut interactions, bacterial overgrowth, infection, inflammation and sensitivity.