Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Spastic colon, also called Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is when you have gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation with a negative medical workup. When doctors do not know what is causing your symptoms, we give it the label "spastic colon," instead of more effectively searching for the source of your symptoms.

The most effective way to eliminate spastic colon is to treat the underlying causes. This condition is sometimes caused by food sensitivity such as to lactose in milk or fructose in sodas. More often, however, it is caused by an infection, and most patients' spastic colon resolves when the underlying bacterial, fungal and parasitic bowel infections are treated. Unfortunately, there is no reliable test for fungal overgrowth, which is why this is missed. Suspect yeast overgrowth if you also have chronic sinusitis or nasal congestion. These also often go away when the fungal infection is treated — along with the spastic colon.

TREATMENT

General Diet Advice

Stop milk and fructose

Stop milk and fructose (i.e., sodas) for 10 days. If symptoms resolve off these, stop sodas (diet sodas are OK) and try lactose free milk products. With lactose intolerance, most people can have some milk. They just don’t have the enzymes to digest more than a certain amount, and then it causes gas (not dangerous — just a nuisance).

Recommended Supplements

Magnesium

If constipation is a predominant symptom, increase fiber and water, and take 200-300 mg of magnesium a day.

Other Therapies & Advice

Check for candida

See Candida for fungal/yeast treatment.

Check for and treat parasites

Do stool testing for parasites only at a lab that specializes in this (e.g., Genova Labs by mail).

Check for SIBO

If symptoms persist, ask your doctor to do a Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT) to look for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, or "SIBO" (bacterial overgrowth). If the HBT shows SIBO/infections, use the antibiotic Rifaximin and treat for an underactive thyroid (see Hypothyroidism), a main cause of SIBO.

Look for and treat food allergies

If the SIBO tests are negative, treat for food allergies using an acupressure technique by NAET.

Peppermint oil caps

For gas pains, begin with enteric-coated peppermint oil caps (e.g., Peppermint Plus by Enzymatic Therapy), which eases the cramps.

Mylicon

For bloating, chew over the counter Mylicon (simeticone) tablets.