Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a problem that affects mainly the bowel, which is also called the large intestine. The bowel is the part of the digestive system that makes and stores stool. The word syndrome means a group of symptoms. IBS is a syndrome because it can cause several symptoms. For example, IBS causes cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

What causes irritable bowel syndrome?

Most people with irritable bowel syndrome seem to have perfectly healthy digestive systems. Most likely, your doctor could order a slew of tests and exams and still find nothing wrong with your colon. But that doesn't mean the problem is "all in your head." While stress can make your symptoms worse and may contribute to the condition, something else probably set the problem in motion.

Unfortunately, nobody's sure what that "something else" may be. Experts speculate that people with the syndrome may have a glitch in their nervous systems that makes the lining of the intestines extra sensitive to the presence of certain foods or to swelling and distention. Others believe that in some people, inflammation may leave the lining of the intestines more sensitive. People affected by IBS also produce certain brain chemicals called neurohormones in higher quantities than people who don't have the malady, and some researchers think that there may be a communication breakdown between the nerves and the muscles in the colon.

What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

Lined with muscles and nerves, the colon is an active organ that contracts and relaxes to push along digested material. When it's running smoothly, it's easy to ignore -- just the way everyone would prefer it.

In some people, however, the colon can become extremely sensitive, leading to the collection of symptoms known as irritable bowel syndrome. Small contractions or gas can cause cramps and pain in the lower abdomen. The pain often appears after a meal and goes away after a bowel movement. The colon may go into spasms, causing diarrhea during the daytime (people with IBS rarely suffer from diarrhea during the night). Conversely, the spasms may hamper the normal movement of waste, causing constipation. Some patients experience mostly diarrhea and others mostly constipation; many alternate between the two extremes.

Other common symptoms include bloating, mucus in the stool, urgent bowel movements, straining during bowel movements, or a feeling of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement. All the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome tend to come and go, but often flare up in times of stress.

Up to one in five adults in the United States experiences irritable bowel syndrome at some point in their lives. Two-thirds of all people who seek medical help for the syndrome are women. The majority of people with IBS continue to experience the symptoms off and on, but up to 30 percent get rid of it entirely.

What can aggravate my symptoms?

In many people, symptoms can flare up or worsen during times of emotional stress, which can cause spasms of the colon. Many things in your diet can also contribute to the condition, including alcohol, dairy products, caffeine, fatty foods, and -- in some people -- gas-producing foods (such as beans, cabbage, nuts, and broccoli), the artificial sweetener sorbitol, and chocolate. Nicotine is another common culprit.

How is irritable bowel syndrome treated?

There's no single treatment for coping with irritable bowel syndrome. You'll need to work with your doctor to find an individual approach that works best for your symptoms.

If you suffer from diarrhea, constipation, or both, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter fiber supplement such as Metamucil, which contains a vegetable powder called psyllium. These fiber supplements absorb water, and so make stools bulkier (helping with your diarrhea) and softer (helping with constipation by making the stools easier to pass). The package labels often describes the supplements as "fiber laxatives," but they're actually not laxatives. (Just be sure to take them with one, and preferably two, 8-ounce glasses of water, or they may actually cause constipation.) Some people have found that mixing the fiber powder with fruit juice and ice makes it much more palatable.

Your doctor may also recommend a change in diet. Many people feel better after cutting back on fat, alcohol, and caffeine. Some people with chronic IBS may also need to stop eating salads and raw vegetables, according to Gary Gitnick, chief of the division of digestive diseases at University of California at Los Angeles. Among other things, raw vegetables can cause gas and diarrhea in people with sensitive digestive systems.

Dietary supplement for treating Bloating.

Spirulina been scientifically proven to provide the following benefits:

• Immune Enhancement
  Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer.

• Protein Supplement
  Amino acids make up 62% of spirulina. Because it is a rich source of protein and other nutrients, spirulina has been used traditionally as a nutritional supplement by people who cannot obtain sufficient calories or protein through diet alone and by those whose nutritional requirements are higher than normal, such as athletes.

• Constipation or Bloating.
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• Anemia
  Animal studies suggest that spirulina promotes hematopoiesis (formation and development of red blood cells). This is thought to be due to the high levels of iron present in this food supplement.

• Allergic Reactions
  Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by preventing the release of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling). Whether these preliminary studies will translate into benefit for people with allergies is not known.

• Antibiotic-related Illnesses
  Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms in the body, they may also kill "good" bacteria called probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) which sometimes results in diarrhea. In test tubes, spirulina has promoted the growth of L. acidophilus and other probiotics. Whether this positive laboratory finding will translate into protection from antibiotic-related diarrhea is not clear at this time.

• Infection
  Test tube studies suggest that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, cytomeglovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Whether this laboratory finding will prove beneficial for people in treating these infections is not clear.

• Oral Cancer
  In one study, 87 people who chewed tobacco and had a precancerous lesion known as leukoplakia were randomly assigned to receive Spirulina fusiformis or placebo. Lesions were significantly more likely to disappear in the spirulina group than in the placebo group. More research in this area will be very helpful.

• Liver Disorders
  There is some preliminary evidence that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in those with chronic hepatitis. More research is needed in this area.

• Other
  Spirulina is also contained in some skin care products due to its moisturizing and tightening properties, and components derived from spirulina may have properties to help reduce inflammation in, for example, arthritis. More research is needed in this latter area.

Royal Jelly Extract is a highly nutritious dietary supplement rich in protein and anti-stress B Vitamins. It can help stimulate the body's metabolism, energy and stamina levels and assist in the management of cholesterol.

Health Benefits

This supplement has been taken for a host of ailments. In addition to its use as a general health tonic, people take royal jelly to:

• Enhance immunity
• Prevent arthritis and multiple sclerosis
• Treat asthma
• Slow the signs of aging
• Stimulate hair growth
• Improve sexual performance
• Reduce symptoms of menopause
• Accelerating the healing and consolidation of fractured bones
• Lower cholesterol
• Alleviate cardiovascular ailments
• Remedy liver disease, pancreatitis, insomnia, fatigue, ulcers, and digestive and skin disorders
• Reduce tiredness and overwork, asthenia, anxiety states, insomnia and anorexia.

Bee Propolis acts as a natural antibiotic which raises the body's resistance to disease by internally stimulating the immune system. This helps the body fight infection, colds, flu and sore throats.  

Propolis may help improve skin condition. Applied externally, propolis is good for abrasions and bruises because of it's antibacterial effects. It may also help lower blood lipid and cholesterol levels as well as lower blood pressure. Some suggest that propolis improves energy and endurance in athletes.