Study confirms IBS improvement
Dr. Maia Dodds

Irritable bowel syndrome is a debilitating and distressing condition, which affects 10-20% of the population. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel function such as constipation, diarrhea or alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some people have occasional symptoms, which can be aggravated by stress or food intolerances. Others experience crippling symptoms, and struggle to maintain their quality of life in the absence of any targeted, effective pharmaceutical treatments.
This disorder affects people of all ages and backgrounds, including children, although women are predominantly affected. Severe IBS can dramatically restrict mobility, through loss of control of bowel function and severe abdominal pain. These symptoms contribute to IBS being second only to the common cold as the most frequent cause of absenteeism from work and school.
Despite the significant impact on individuals and the population at large, there is no clear established cause for IBS. Whilst medical investigations are important to eliminate the possibility of an over-lapping pathology such as parasites, candida, inflammatory bowel disease, cealiacs or Crohn's disease, there is no specific investigation which patients can test positive for in order to confirm a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. A diagnosis of IBS is more often a diagnosis of exclusion - if its not another gastrointestinal condition, and it fits the symptom picture of IBS, then it is IBS.
The current accepted criteria for diagnosing IBS is the Rome criteria (adopted in medical texts and by the American Gastroenterological Association). Their definition of IBS consists of:
At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two of three features:
-Relieved with defecation and/or
-Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool and/or
-Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.
The following symptoms support the diagnosis of IBS:
-Abnormal bowel movement frequency (more than three per day or less than three per week),
-Abnormal stool form

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Dr. Maia Dodds is the author of ‘The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Improvement Program'
See www.irritablebowelsyndromeip.com for details, further research and articles.
Write directly at maia@irritablebowelsyndromeip.com
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Dr. Maia Dodds fucusses on the treatment of IBS. She has compiled international clinical research and personal experience in her new book 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome Improvement Program'.