Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Paper

Words: 799
Pages: 4

Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are potential symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Symptoms of IBS manifest over a period time, usually years, which may come and go. The causes of IBS remain unclear, but factors that can aggravate or trigger symptoms are known. A new study published in Nature suggests vitamin D supplementation to reduce symptoms of IBS.

Cases of irritable bowel syndrome are classified into four main types depending on the most prominent symptoms. IBS-D for prominent diarrhea, IBS-C for prominent constipation, IBS-M for both prominence, and IBS-U for neither of the two symptoms. While the source of IBS is still a mystery, symptoms are usually triggered by the following circumstances:

- Discoordination
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- Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine that can cause irritation, leading to bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

- Stress causes changes in the nervous system that affects coordination with the digestive system.

- Infection caused by a virus or bacteria that resulted in gastroenteritis often triggers IBS.

About 10 to 15 percent of all adults in the United States suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, but only 5 to 7 percent of them are diagnosed with the disease. Because of the symptoms, people with IBS suffer from poor quality of life. Adults often miss several days in a week at work, resulting in poor work performance. Moreover, IBP also induces anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, there is no cure for IBS and treatment options only reduce the symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.

“It can lead to people being fearful of leaving the home, unable to go to work, and a significant use of the medical system,” said Dr. Jeffrey Baumgardner, an assistant professor of medicine in gastroenterology at the University of
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According to the National Health Service, diagnosis of IBS is based on clinical symptoms, the frequency of symptoms, and diet, and screening tests to rule out other diseases, such as celiac disease and IBD, which resemble symptoms of IBS.

But the research team found an easier way to manage the symptoms of IBS – cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol or vitamin D. Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble nutrients responsible for the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate in the intestines. Without it, the body can suffer from deficiencies of the three minerals that may lead to certain conditions, such as rickets and osteoporosis.

In the study, low amounts of vitamin D levels in the body have been associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer. It has also been implicated in inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers included seven studies – four observational studies and three randomized controlled trials – about the involvement of vitamin D in IBS. The evidence revealed that the common denominator among the IBS population is low levels of vitamin D. Researchers suggest that intake of vitamin D may provide beneficial if not therapeutic effects to people with