Just a few years ago, science believed that IBS tended to occur randomly and was not influenced by any specific cause or trigger. But now there are other findings. We explain what can be responsible for a nervous stomach and what needs to be considered in the case of irritable bowel syndrome.
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
According to studies, there are around seven million sufferers in Germany who visit a doctor’s office year after year with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, usually a combination of several complaints . Typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include:
- stomach pain
- Stomach cramps
- gas
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- feeling of pressure and fullness
The patients endure numerous examinations without being able to identify the cause of their symptoms. But instead of being able to be happy about the fact that they are organically healthy and there is nothing bad behind it, for example an inflammation or a tumor, their suffering continues. Women are twice as likely to be affected by this functional disorder, known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), than men. If they are unlucky, they end up with a doctor who is content with this non-diagnosis. Those affected then hear “You have nothing” and at the same time the label “imaginary sick” is missed. But they didn’t deserve that. The irritable bowel is, like its little brother,the irritable stomach, no conceit. According to the guidelines of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS), the disease irritable bowel syndrome is present if the above-mentioned symptoms last longer than three months , can be related to the intestine and usually involve changes in the stool, excluding other causes of the clinical picture and the symptoms also have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected. So this “nothing” is definitely “something”.
Irritable bowel: What are the causes?
For a long time, many patients were fed the diagnosis that they were completely healthy because no organic cause for their illness was known. Then, in 2010, biologists from the University of Munich made the breakthrough in investigating the causes: They found out that micro-inflammation in the mucous membrane leads to hypersensitivity of the nervous system in the intestine . “Then the irritated intestinal mucosa increasingly releases neuroactive substances such as serotonin or histamine,” explains study leader Prof. Michael Schemann. “This cocktail could be the real cause of the complaints”. This is supported, among other things, by the fact that many IBS patients feel much better when they take a so-called antihistamine – a remedy for allergies.
Disorders of the intestinal flora, such as those that can occur after a severe gastrointestinal infection or the use of antibiotics, can also trigger irritable bowel syndrome. A damaged intestinal flora can lead to changes in the intestinal mucosa, including small tears. These make them more permeable to toxins and pathogens, which in turn can irritate the nerve cells.
Genetic predisposition to irritable bowel syndrome
Researchers at the Heidelberg Institute for Human Genetics have discovered that the serotonin receptor gene is altered in patients suffering from an irritable bowel syndrome, also known colloquially as a nervous stomach. As a result, signal transmission is disrupted by the messenger substance serotonin, and the intestines are overstimulated . 5 million Germans are affected by irritable bowel syndrome, women twice as often as men. An effective therapy is now approaching for them.
Mental stress as a trigger for a nervous stomach
The psyche also has an influence on digestion through the lively exchange of data between the brain and abdominal brain – and vice versa. Stress is one of the proven triggers of irritable bowel syndrome, either way it makes symptoms worse or prevents them from going away.
Irritable bowel: rule out diseases as a cause
Before a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome can be made, all diseases with the same or similar symptoms must be ruled out. These include, for example, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Tests that can be used to make a diagnosis include a gastroscopy and colonoscopy, an abdominal ultrasound, a blood test and a stool test.
Treatment of an irritable bowel: Conscious nutrition
When the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is made, the digestive tract obviously reacts extremely irritated to certain circumstances. This reaction needs to be calmed down, symptoms alleviated or even eliminated. It would be nice if there were a patent remedy for this. But the symptoms are too varied. In general, however, you should:
- eat slowly,
- chew a lot,
- avoid stress
- And don’t swallow too much air unnecessarily.
Avoid carbonated drinks. Experience has shown that several small meals a day are better tolerated than a few, which are larger. In addition, the individual symptoms can be treated with appropriate preparations. You can find an overview in our article: ” Over-the-counter remedies for irritable bowel syndrome “. But there’s more you can do than just reach for the medicine cabinet.
A change in diet is advisable because the symptoms arise when the food is processed. Many people also suffer from food intolerance , which can exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. If you keep a food diary, you will find out over time what gets you better or worse and you will get to know your intestines and their “quirks” better and better. Because your gut brain has a fairly good memory, you should eat regularly and at fixed times . Maybe you should avoid some ingredients altogether. You can test yourself for intolerances at the doctor’spermit. Even if you don’t necessarily feel stressed yourself, IBS definitely is. Relaxation exercises help reduce stress and calm the nervous system. Psychotherapeutic methods or hypnotherapy also have a good effect. Have courage, feel your way around the treatment options and find out what suits you best. Because: If your stomach feels good, so do you.
