Irritable Bowel Syndome (IBS)

This is widely know as a disorder of the gut and digestion and less commonly referred to as "spastic colon" or mucous colitis"

Usually the cause is unknown but a disturbance to peristalsis (moving food along the digestive tract) or excessive mucous is reported.  There can be many contributing factors such as; family history, stress and post-infection.  It is classified as a functional disorder; which means that there is no observable cause.  When the gut is viewed, it is not seen as permanently malformed or damaged.  It is the responses of the gut that cause the symptoms. 

Reports have shown that women are 4 times more likely to experience IBS.  Approximately 25% of sufferers will seek help - often after a long history of symptoms.  It can lead to anxiety and depression, which in turn can exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Contributing factors can be:

Heightened awareness of gut sensations.

An exaggerated gastrocolic reflex.

A dysregulation of digestive motility.

Some of the factors that can initiate and/or maintain IBS include:

Stress.

Family history.

Post gut infection.

Diet - insoluble cereal fibre, that can be found in grains and pulses.

Symptoms:

Abdominal pain or distress often after eating.

Variation in patterns of defecation.

May feel rectum is still full after defecating.

Urgency to open bowels soon after eating.

Bloating.

Back pain.

Nausea.

Hypnotherapy has also been used with both adults and children to help manage the pain associated with irritable bowel. There is evidence to support its use in this condition for both adults and children and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Guidance (NICE) recommends the NHS should consider referring patients for hypnotherapy if their irritable bowel is persistent and has failed to respond to simple prescribed medicine.