Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Acid Reflux Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is often associated with Acid Reflux Disease.
Just what is Irritable bowel syndrome?
Simply put, it is a lack of coordination between the colon, pelvis and sphincter.
Look at it like this.
After a meal, the stomach becomes extended and releases various gastrointestional hormones. Following this, the nerves in the colon become activated and stimulate the muscles in the wall of the colon.
This is known as a gastrocolic reflex.
This is part of normal digestion, but people with irritable bowel syndrome may experience cramps or diarrehea and an urgent need to go to the toilet even before a meal is finished.
Symptoms IBS can also occur on other occasions, not just during a meal.
As digestion takes place, food moves slowly back and forth with regular colon contractions heading towards the rectum.
These contractions happen several times a day and will sometimes result in a bowel movement.
Problems may occur if the action of the colon, pelvis and sphincter lack coordination and may result in constipation or diarrhea.
Approximately two thirds of sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome are women. Research has not been able to determine why women suffer more, although one school of thought is that reproductive hormones released during menstration may have some effect.
