Important note
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion: other, organic causes must first be ruled out by a doctor. If you suffer from persistent bowel complaints, please have them clarified by your doctor. This article does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment.
What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
One in five people in Austria suffers from bowel complaints known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Typical symptoms are:
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- diarrhoea and/or constipation
- often also headaches and back pain as well as sleep disorders
These complaints are a burden in phases or chronically, without organic causes being found. In stressful situations – for example before exams, during professional challenges or family problems – the symptoms can increase.
What Are the Most Common Causes and Risk Factors?
Several causes are discussed for irritable bowel. Very often there is a connection with stress and stressful life events. The close connection between gut and nervous system is called the gut-brain axis: processes in the gut can influence thinking, and conversely psychological processes act on gut motility and sensitivity.
Further factors that can play a role:
- immunological processes, which can be detected through simple examinations
- a change in the microbiome – a disturbed balance of gut bacteria can irritate the intestinal wall
- poor diet or food intolerances (corresponding antibodies can be detectable in the blood)
- the prolonged use of certain medications, such as antibiotics or cortisone
Which Therapies Prove Their Worth in Practice? The 3-Pillar Therapy
According to Prof. Muss, an approach based on three pillars has proven effective for irritable bowel, bringing together nutrition, lifestyle and targeted support of the gut.
Rule Out Intolerances & Adjust Nutrition
First, food intolerances should be clarified, followed by an individual dietary adjustment. The guiding principle for irritable bowel is: "What agrees with you is allowed." A temporary light diet can provide relief – for example tea, broth, oat porridge, rusk (from spelt or gluten-free) or corn and rice cakes. After a short time, the range of foods should be expanded again.
Change Lifestyle & Relax
Reducing stress includes lifestyle changes and relaxation therapies such as yoga, qigong, autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or gut-directed hypnosis. What matters is finding a personally suitable method and learning to let go in order to allow relaxation.
Medicinal or Complementary Support
Often the gut microflora should be optimised – ideally after diagnostics of the microbiome. For probiotics to work in the long term, accompanying anti-inflammatory and relieving measures are useful. As a basis, PMA-Zeolite (e.g. PANACEO MED DARM REPAIR) is often used to improve the living conditions of the gut bacteria and support the build-up of a healthy gut microbiome.
What studies show
Studies suggest that PMA-Zeolite can relieve typical complaints of irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal inflammation. A stable gut barrier also has a positive effect on the microbiome.
Note: This article reproduces an expert interview and is for general information only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. PANACEO MED DARM REPAIR is a medical device to support gut health. If you have persistent complaints, please consult your doctor.