Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects many people and often remains untreated. This article shows how a disrupted microbiome and leaky gut syndrome can trigger IBS, and how targeted diagnostics and therapy can help.

Irritable bowel syndrome: what lies behind it?

Do you suffer from chronic digestive complaints? Irritable bowel syndrome is a common problem which, according to current reports, affects about a quarter of the population. That figure is striking, yet the actual number of people affected could be far higher. Many people are given the diagnosis “irritable bowel syndrome” without being offered a suitable therapy. Often the cause remains undetected and those affected are sent away with the words “you will have to live with it”.

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But what exactly lies behind irritable bowel syndrome?

The role of the microbiome and of leaky gut syndrome

One of the main causes of irritable bowel syndrome is an imbalance in the microbiome – the community of microorganisms that colonise our gut. A disrupted microbiome can lead to the development of leaky gut syndrome. In this syndrome the intestinal barrier becomes permeable, which means that substances such as bacteria, undigested food components and toxins can enter the bloodstream. This can trigger a cascade of inflammation and immune reactions that reaches far beyond the gut.

Connections between leaky gut and irritable bowel syndrome

A permeable gut, as it occurs in leaky gut syndrome, is often chronically inflamed. This inflammation frequently goes unnoticed and can only be detected through special markers in the stool. In addition, food intolerances and allergic reactions can make the condition worse by promoting the release of histamine, which irritates the intestinal mucosa still further. Here too, stool tests can provide valuable clues.

Typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

The symptoms of an irritated bowel are varied and range from diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal cramps through to heartburn and mushy stools. But the complaints are not limited to the gut. Other mucous membranes of the body are often affected as well, such as the airways, the bladder or the vagina. This can show itself in asthma, recurring bladder or vaginal inflammation and in skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis) and psoriasis.

What helps with irritable bowel syndrome?

A successful treatment of irritable bowel syndrome requires a thorough case history and differentiated laboratory diagnostics. Only in this way can the underlying causes be traced and treated specifically. An analysis of the gut flora, of the inflammatory markers and of possible allergies is indispensable here.

Conclusion

Irritable bowel syndrome is widespread and is often caused by a disrupted microbiome and an associated leaky gut syndrome. These disturbances can give rise to a large number of complaints that affect not only the gut but the whole body. Precise diagnostics and an individual therapy are crucial in order to improve the quality of life of those affected in the long term.

By understanding the causes and treating them specifically, we can help those affected to find their way back to a life free of complaints.

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