Stress vs. IBS Which one came first?

Yesterday I was surfing the web and there was an article that I came across which stated that IBS came first and that anxiety/depression comes later because people have to learn how to manage their disease.

I think it comes from both fronts. Over 15 years ago I was put in a highly stressful situation when I had a change of roommates. My new roommate didn't like me too much and so I was getting blamed for everything. Back then I didn't know how to stand up for myself against my roommate and after almost two months of being with her I developed IBS. I never had it before, but I had never been under that much stress at one time. I got so sick I had to go home. For a while my IBS would go in waves of getting better or worse.

I trained myself to look for the nearest bathroom at every store so that "just in case" I had a flare up I could run to the bathroom.

Then a few years later I was in another stressful situation with an employer. One day I woke up took 12 capsules of activated charcoal and downed some Imodium and I was still running to the bathroom every 2 minutes or so. I should have been constipated by that time, but I wasn't. Here again I didn't know how to speak up for myself.

I go further with the supposed article. I believe that stress can activate IBS, then yes a person can have flare ups trying to manage their IBS, which can add more stress causing anxiety/depression. Unless you get yourself out of cycle. Which is something I had to learn. How to get myself out of a emotional cycle to where I wouldn't get the flare ups even with stressful conditions.

I have been practicing getting myself out of my emotional cycles for 3 years now. I am taking better care of my health and I have learned to speak up for myself in stressful situations. I eat a more balanced diet and try to be consistent with exercise. I have learned to manage my IBS, but I know that management is a life long pursuit.

Wish I had a biscuit

I have been trying an experiment to see what still makes me have flare ups from my IBS. I fount that if I have to much gluten it will set off my IBS. I have found a lot of good pasta's, cereals, and snack bars that are gluten free, wheat free. There is a big difference as far as all the gas and bloating that comes with IBS if I give in and have a regular biscuit. I love my carbs. LOL

I know that when I stay away from as much table sugar as possible that I don't get any flare ups either, but sometimes I can't resist a handful of , dare I say, m and m's.  Then I get a flare up.

I have noticed also that if I take indole-3-carbinol, this product helps to make my estrogen work better, that I don't get the flare ups as much either. Especially during my premenstral cycle.
There is a hormone connection with my body not utilizing my estrogens and IBS flare ups. Is it really the progesterone is too high or is it that the estrogen is too high because my body seems to be one that likes to store? ( I ask myself) I know that estrogen likes to be stored.

On with the experiment..........

Do you feel this way with your IBS?

Hormones and IBS

The colon is an essential part of the make up of the body. It helps with absorption of sodium and helps with water balance. It is lined with lymph nodes and is innervated with sensory and motor nerves. The entire colon is lined with "tight junctions". These little guys help to make sure that toxins don't leak into the body. Once those tight junctions are compromised micro toxins can leak out causing inflammation somewhere else. It also has receptors for Estrogen and Progesterone.

During a normal women's cycle during pms they may feel constipated due to the increase of progesterone and a decrease of estrogen. With the decrease in estrogens there seems to be an increase in the symptoms during pms. This is why some women my feel worse than better during pregnancy with their IBS due to the surge of progesterone. Most doctors don't know why there is this trigger.

Other things that can exacerbate the problem would be stress, food allergies e.g. table sugar, eggs, corn, and for some there is a family history of IBS or weak colons or an increase of bad bacteria in the gut.

What can one do to help with the symptoms of IBS? There is a complete gut test that can be done to look at pH of the colon along with seeing if there are any bacteria that aren't suppose to be in high amounts. Food allergy testing, and nutrition testing can also be done to see if there is a deficiency of vitamin that may be causing the inflammation. Also, hormone testing can be done to see if there is an imbalance.

After that there are several different treatment options that can be done per individual.   

Do hormones effect my colon?

Did you know that there are hormone receptors on your colon?
Have you ever been constipated during pms? That is because of a hormone.
Have you ever noticed that your irritable bowel syndrome feels worse or better during pregnancy? That is because of hormones.
There are even receptors for hormones on the heart, brain, and other organs.
Fascinating isn't it!!!!

Coming soon!! A more in depth look on organs and hormones. So stay tune!!!

bioidentical hormone replacement Therapy

zrtlabs.com

http://www.oprah.com/health/The-Basics-of-Bioidentical-Hormone-Replacement-Therapy