Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Download and print an IBS brochure on fiber and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines. Dietary fiber seems to reduce the abdominal discomfort and allows the colon to relax, resulting in consistent bowel movements on a regular basis.

"Konsyl Easy Mix is the latest improvement in fiber supplements. I began taking Konsyl about 1972. It changed my life. I recently sent it to a friend in Italy who has suffered from IBS and diverticulitis for all of his life. After a week he was eating foods he was unable to eat. It has changed his life too. I have recommended it to many people over the years."
Bryna

Signs and Symptoms of IBS

The primary symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. Other common symptoms are indigestion, nausea, gas and bloating. Generally speaking, the abdominal pain is in the lower abdomen and is characterized by a crampy feeling which comes and goes.

• Do you have crampy abdominal pain that is often relieved by the passage of stool or gas?
• Do you have diarrhea usually associated with meals?
• Do you often get diarrhea early in the day?
• Do you experience constipation -- either the passage of small quantities of stool (often in small balls or narrow strands) or infrequent bowel movements (less than every third day)?
• Do you find your body alternates between diarrhea and constipation?

Because of the complex nature of this disorder, your physician will need a thorough medical history including medications, other health problems, dietary habits, exercise patterns and home/work environments.

Jennifer Snyder, R.D.
A dietician finds fiber helps her IBS
"I first started to notice the symptoms of IBS at the age of 23, inconveniently the same day my husband proposed to me. On a daily basis, I would experience abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating. As a dietitian, I couldn't understand why I was experiencing such awful constipation when I ate a near perfect diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. As time passed, I noticed that the symptoms would intensify during periods of high stress- even during my wedding and honeymoon. While talking with a patient that had IBS, it dawned on me that I was suffering from the same symptoms that she had. (Light bulb!) I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome!

For my patients with IBS and constipation, I always recommend a high fiber diet. But as a vegetarian, I knew I was eating about as many veggies as I could handle in one day, and I wasn't feeling any better. So I started to look for a good fiber supplement, and I found it in Konsyl. I like that it has no extra fillers or artificial sweeteners that can exacerbate IBS. I started taking 1 tsp. each morning before going to work, and my IBS resolved immediately! I still take it once or twice a day and my symptoms have completely disappeared. As a Registered Dietitian, I now recommend Konsyl to all my IBS patients. It helped me return to a normal life, and I'm sharing this story in hopes that it might help other IBS sufferers as well."

Hear Jennifer on the Danielle Lin health radio show.

Causes of IBS

The exact cause of IBS is not known. Symptoms appear to result from a disturbance in the interaction between the gut, brain, and nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motor or sensory function. IBS is not caused by stress. However, because of the connection between the brain and the gut, symptoms can be exacerbated or triggered by stress. There is no specific test for IBS, but diagnostic tests may be needed to rule out other diseases.

Treatment and Prevention of IBS

The average American eats too much fat and only one-third the amount of fiber recommended by the National Cancer Institute. Fiber is a general term for food which is not absorbed into your system and which stays in the stool, thereby increasing the stool bulk. Many people with IBS are aided by the regular ingestion of a supplement such as Konsyl fiber to increase stool bulk.

"Konsyl was recommended to me by the gastroenterologist that tested and treated me for IBS. I have used it faithfully for three plus years. It is so easy to use and has resolved my problems with IBS." D in Elkridge, MD  

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a physician.