Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Bad Breath

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a condition of the large intestine affecting as many as one in five people, according to the Mayo Clinic. The cause of IBS is unknown, but physicians believe it stems from problems with the intestinal muscles that push food through the gastrointestinal tract. In people with IBS, those muscular contractions can be either too strong and long or too slow.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of IBS vary widely, but they tend to be long-term problems and include—either consistently or intermittently—cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation and/or mucus in the stool. A small percentage of those with this syndrome experience severe or uncontrollable problems, but most have only mild to moderate issues. As signs of IBS can indicate more serious conditions like Crohn's disease, cancer and ulcerative colitis, physicians at Mayo Clinic recommend those experiencing these symptoms seek medical attention.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of IBS is based on a medical history, including symptoms, and a physical exam. Much of the diagnosis involves ruling out more serious issues, states the Mayo Clinic website—often by using the Rome criteria, a specific set of diagnostic criteria used for identifying functional gastrointestinal disorders like IBS.

  The most distinguishing characteristics of IBS are some level of abdominal discomfort accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms over at least 12 weeks, though not necessarily consecutively: change in frequency or consistency of stools, straining, urgency or feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, and bloating or abdominal distention. If symptoms such as weight loss or rectal bleeding are present, further tests will be ordered.

First Course of Treatment

• Western medical treatments focus on relieving the symptoms of IBS and identifying possible triggers, such as certain foods. Mild symptoms can often be managed by changes in diet, lifestyle and stress levels, while moderate to severe problems may need more intervention, like fiber supplements, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and/or counseling to help relieve stress. Anticholinergic medications may help relieve painful bowel spasms, antidepressants can help inhibit the neural activity that controls the intestines and antibiotics may assist those with an overgrowth of bacteria.

Last-Resort Treatments

• A few medications are available for women who have not responded to other treatment options. These drugs have not been approved for men. Alosetron is used for women with predominant diarrheal symptoms and helps relax the colon, slowing the movement of waste through the lower bowel. The Food and Drug Administration pulled Alosetron off the market at one point due to serious complications, but allowed it to be prescribed again under restrictions. Lubiprostone is a medication used to help pass waste more quickly by increasing fluid secretions in the small intestine. Lubiprostone is for women who have trouble with constipation.

Bad Breath and the Naturopathic Perspective

• Though medical facilities practicing Western medicine, like the Mayo Clinic, do not list bad breath as a symptom of IBS, naturopathic doctors accept it as a possible sign of long-term problems in the colon. Naturopathics believe the health of the gastrointestinal system is integral to overall well-being, and treatments for IBS involve restoring gut vitality and general health. These treatments can include supplements, herbal medicine, colon hydrotherapy and diet and behavior modifications.