Recurrent diarrhoea, bloating and constipation could all be part of a bigger condition like IBS! Can probiotics come to rescue?
IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is a common phenomenon. Even though traditional medicines can be one way of treating it, science suggests probiotics can be another way of tending to your IBS symptoms. Probiotics contain live bacteria or yeast, which can calm the disruption in your inflamed intestines, often a by-product of IBS. This article talks about how probiotics can come in handy while treating IBS symptoms. These can include bloating, gas, indigestion or constipation.
Let’s understand a little more detail in the next few segments.
Understanding IBS and its types
As mentioned before, IBS is short for irritable bowel syndrome. As the name suggests, the condition includes gastric problems such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea, stomach pain or cramps and constipation. IBS can occur in anybody and is a chronic disease that can affect the person at least once every month. IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that can imbalance the gut microbiota and result in the above-mentioned symptoms.
IBS can be triggered due to the following reasons:
- Infections that affect the gut activity
- Food sensitivities such as lactose and gluten intolerance
- Inflammation in the intestines
- Carbohydrate malabsorption
- Imbalance in digestive motility
However, there are yet to be exact causes which can pinpoint to IBS directly. Therefore, it is better to consult your doctor to arrive at a proper conclusion and only then, start treatment.
IBS has four types which are:
- IBS- D- This type of IBS results in diarrhoea. In such a scenario, you will get loose or watery stools along with inflammation in the intestines, bloating or gas. Diarrhoea is predominant in this form of IBS and can leave the patient dehydrated if caution is not paid in time.
- IBS-C- This type of IBS has constipation predominant in nature. This means that bloating or abdominal pain occurs with constipation. This type of IBS can include having irregular bowel movement and cause severe discomfort because of it.
- IBS-M- The M in this case of IBS denotes mixed. Which means that this form of IBS can include both diarrhoea and constipation as the predominant issues. Both problems occur at different times but repeatedly affect the patient.
- IBS-U- This type of IBS falls under the ‘unspecified’ or unsub typed category. This means that a person that does not have any of the above-mentioned types will be diagnosed with this type of IBS. For example, a person with IBS-U can have growing sensitivity to foods high in GI or weakened gut-brain connection.
Studies suggest that certain types of probiotics can be used to manage IBS symptoms.
Role of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast often found in different food groups and supplements. When your gut microbiota takes a hit due to infections, virus or unhealthy bacteria invasion, it severely affects your general well-being (like the immune system). Gut flora imbalances may contribute to the symptoms of IBS. Thus, either natural foods such as yoghurt, fruits or oatmeal or medicinal supplements such as Probi LP299V come to the rescue.
Some other common symptoms of IBS include intestinal inflammation, bloating, gas, constipation, recurrent diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Probiotics can help balance the gut flora of your digestive system with the help of healthy bacteria and even in reducing inflammation.
However, for recurrent diarrhoea, another kind of probiotic that is considered very effective and is backed by doctors for helping improve conditions like diarrhoea include Normagut. It is known to have the yeast Saccharomyces Boulardii and is available in a capsule as well as a sachet form.
Research has suggested that probiotics can help IBS symptoms in the following manner:
- Improving your immune system’s barrier to ward off unhealthy bacteria
- Reducing gas formation as Gas accumulation can lead to decreased sensitivity in your gut.
- Lessening the frequency of bowel movements, especially during diarrhoea
- Reducing intestinal inflammation
- Balancing healthy gut flora leading to decreased gas production
- Suppressing infection-causing bacteria
How to select the right kind of probiotic for IBS?
The type of probiotic you need to select for your IBS symptoms depends on the type of IBS you are diagnosed with. This is essential because a wrong type of probiotic can further aggravate your IBS symptoms and weaken your immune system even more. Supplements containing Lactobacillus plantarum 299v are the most effective probiotic that could work for all types of IBS. However, consultation with a doctor before consuming any supplementation or medication is highly advisable.
KW pool used: Probiotics, Probiotics in IBS treatment, Role of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome, Probiotic therapy for IBS, probiotic for IBS, can probiotics make IBS worse, right kind of probiotics for IBS, Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769995/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-for-ibs
https://www.verywellhealth.com/before-you-take-probiotics-for-ibs-1944991
