Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Archives

Many of you tell me that you have “Leaky Gut Syndrome”. What does this mean?

Internet definitions of “Leaky Gut Syndrome” have described it as a condition where your gut lining works like a sieve and allows bacteria and other toxins to pass into the bloodstream and causes symptoms like bloating, fatigue, etcetera. However, a medical definition of syndrome is a combination of symptoms resulting from a single cause or commonly occurring together so as to fit a distinct clinical picture.Herein lies the problem! “Leaky gut syndrome” is not recognised by the established medical community as a specific disease. It is not listed as a diagnosis in the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) and this is why many of you may have been told by your doctor that you should stop looking for information on the internet! 🙂 However, scientific studies have shown enough evidence to make it an intriguing field of study.

“Leaky gut” or Increased Intestinal Permeability?

“Leaky gut” is essentially another way of describing increased intestinal permeability or impaired gut barrier function.But whether it can be called a “syndrome” as defined in medicine, is definitely open to debate! 🙂

Your gut is lined by cells which are closely connected to each other by tight junctions (TJs). This layer keeps the “baddies” away from areas where they can cause mayhem. This layer is not like a concrete wall which prevents all substances from going across. The tight junctions are extremely dynamic and highly regulated so as to maintain normal permeability. Healthy TJs make sure that harmful substances that affect your immune system are kept away while allowing the normal passage of electrolytes,nutrients and water.

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IBS is a Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder or Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction?

A Functional GI Disorder is one where there are no structural abnormalities in the gut seen on x-ray, endoscopy or blood tests, but functionally, the gut’s movement is abnormal. The Rome IV update describes IBS as a disorder of gut-brain interaction. This is a further advance from calling IBS a functional GI disorder.

Defining IBS as a disorder of gut-brain interaction has been a remarkable advance in our perception of the condition. Many of you have been told “It is stress” or ” It is all in your head” , which somehow implies that it is within your control. Sometimes well-meaning friends and relatives make things worse by suggesting that all you have to do is “think positive”! I am not suggesting that you shouldn’t “think positive” but I haven’t met anyone who deliberately thinks negative thoughts! 🙂

IBS is a condition much like high blood pressure or diabetes and therefore needs to be addressed appropriately.

What is Gut-Brain Interaction?

Your gut and the brain are constantly communicating with each other. We have always considered the brain to be the master controller of body functions. Animal and human studies in the last few years have shown that the gut controls the brain as well! The signalling between the gut and brain is bi-directional.In fact the gut is called the “second brain”. However, this brain is not the part of you that composes great music or writes prose, but the part important for gut function, interaction with gut microbes , secreting neurotransmitters and many more.

In fact , the gut is primary and therefore IBS is called a disorder of gut-brain interaction and not brain-gut interaction.

There is a complex nervous system in the gut called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). The ENS communicates with the brain through nerves called vagus nerves.

Causes Of IBS

The exact cause of IBS is not known but different factors are relevant to the condition:

Altered pain perception. People with IBS have been found to have higher sensitivity to pain sensations, particularly pain related to distension of the gut.
Disturbed immune function in the gut lining (mucosa)
Gut dysbiosis- Imbalance of gut bacteria.
Increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
Low-grade inflammation
Psychosocial disturbance, Adverse Childhood Experiences (High ACE Score)

Symptoms Of IBS

Abdominal pain/cramping
Bloating
Gassiness
Diarrhoea and/or constipation
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach pain immediately after food
Stomach pain relieved by passing a motion.
Stress related issues
Anxiety

How Is IBS Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is commonly based on symptoms after diseases like IBD, celiac Disease, colon cancer or post-infectious malabsorption have been ruled out.

What is the criteria for diagnosis:

Recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months. These criteria should be fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptoms starting at least 6 months before diagnosis ,associated with two or more of the following:

1) Related to defecation

2) Associated with a change in the frequency of stool

3) Associated with a change in the form (appearance) of stool

Some Important Facts About IBS

IBS is distinct from IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease). IBD are autoimmune diseases causing specific conditions in the intestine. (One type of IBS is autoimmune).
Constipation may result in complaints of hard stools or infrequent motions.
Often the constipation may not respond to regular laxatives.
Diarrhoea may mean frequent passage of small volumes of loose stools.
Needing to use the toilet soon after a meal may be common.
Constipation or diarrhoea may be a predominant feature, but sometimes the symptoms may be mixed.
IBS can occur after a gastrointestinal infection with a bacteria, virus or parasite–post-infection IBS.
Though IBS is strictly not an infectious disease, microscopic inflammation has been detected in some people.
Food intolerances may have symptoms similar to IBS.
Early life stressors (High Adverse Childhood Experiences Score) is related to IBS.

Types of IBS

IBS is usually described as the following different types based on symptoms. The different types may change over a period of time. You may start off with IBS-D and lated have a mixed type, IBS-M , and so on.

IBS-D -Diarrhoea predominant
IBS-C-Constipation predominant
IBS-M-mixed constipation and diarrhoea
IBS-U-Unclassified

Other Conditions Associated With IBS

Besides the common symptoms of IBS, which are abdominal (stomach) pain ,bloating, diarrhoea and/or constipation there may be other associated conditions like

Fibromyalgia
Sexual dysfunction including poor libido
Urinary complaints, Interstitial Cystitis
Mucus discharge from anus.
Restless-leg syndrome

Subsequent posts will cover dietary approaches, mind-body intervention , probiotics.

Is “Leaky Gut” Affecting Your Health?