The Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

   Many times combining carbohydrates and proteins or consuming fruits after breads, cereals or other grains can cause significant irritation to intestines.

   It is also fair to say that this is augmented in people who have pre-existing bowel problems. 

   These emphasize the sympathetic nervous system response, causing irritation and excitability to the intestinal tract.

   This can be a big factor, it aggravates the sympathetic nervous system and reduces serotonin levels.

   Right out of the refrigerator or otherwise. When a food is cold it can immediately cause a spastic colon or contraction in the intestines and this is precisely what an IBS sufferer has too much of.

    If you are keeping a food diary and have noticed that a food sometimes causes a flare up and other times doesn't, it would be important to note whether it was warm, room temperature or cold.

    Some foods are not as much of a trigger when cold and vice versa. But you can take a non-stimulating food at room temperature and make it stimulating by consuming it cold or hot.

    If you had coffee cold, it would probably cause more intense symptoms than if it were warm because by consuming it cold you are subjected to its contracting factor.

   If it is warm, it may inhibit its stimulating quality slightly, this is because warmth has muscle relaxing effect.

   These reactions can be individually specific and are not universal. This is why it is why it is so important for each person to construct their own reliable diet for irritable bowel syndrome.

    This can not be overstated. This is one of the most elusive causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

These days, people in general have very restricted breathing patterns and this can ignite the sympathetic nervous system with various devastating effects.

    Based on observations over the last seven years, I believe there will come a time when research will recognize the many physical problems that are stemming from irregular breathing patterns.

    Irregular breathing patterns restrict oxygen flow to the brain and digestive systems which can only aggravate IBS symptoms.

    Keep in mind, if something aggravates your bowels, it is having the same effect on your immune system and this can lead to additional sickness. Research now shows that the majority of the immune system is based in the intestines.

Serotonin levels seem to play an important role in the severity of IBS symptoms.

   Research also indicates IBS sufferers have intestinal serotonin that is not being transported properly (as is what happens in the brain with depressive disorders).

   This can cause erratic type effects on the intestines and irritation of the sympathetic nervous system, making the activity of the bowels sporadic and uncomfortable.

    Again, this data would indicate that a an appropriate diet that addresses the causes of irritable bowel syndrome, along with exercise may help serotonin be received properly on receptors and help improve the IBS symptoms.

Let's look at Diet and other Options to help control IBS symptoms...

Diet and Other Helpful Options for IBS Sufferers