I've posted this before in various places. Might be helpful to anyone suffering GI touble:
Chronic intestinal trouble without signs of inflammation is likely to be labeled IBS. IBS seems to be different things to different people. Below is a list of things that people diagnosed with GI trouble have claimed to experience. Most people diagnosed with IBS will find one or more things here that are relevant to them. Some are widely accepted (like FODMAPs), some are controversial (like candida overgrowth, MSG intolerance). I can’t guarantee that all of the information is correct. Common sense rules apply – don’t diagnose yourself, don’t prescribe yourself medication, talk to your Dr before doing anything drastic.
FODMAPs intolerance – Onions, Garlic, wheat, barley, certain fruits and vegetables and grains have fermentable oligosaccharides that trigger intestinal trouble in some people. Common in IBS.
Anxiety – some believe that this is enough to cause functional GI disorders like IBS. Even if it’s not the sole cause, it is likely to exacerbate symptoms or possibly enable the problems to occur in the first place.
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance –Celiac is a well-characterized intolerance to gluten/wheat. It is treated by life-long abstinence from wheat and gluten-containing food. Other gluten intolerances are not as well-defined, but may be treated similarly
Lactose intolerance – inability to break down lactose in dairy products can cause GI problems. Treated by avoiding dairy products and/or taking supplemental enzymes
Dairy intolerance – Sometimes, it’s not the lactose but casein or other components of milk that cause GI issues. Treat it by avoiding dairy.
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) – can cause bloating, discomfort, diarrhea. Treated with antibiotics, probiotics, fiber, low-carb diets.
Imbalance in intestinal microflora – bad diet, antibiotics, etc can result in this. Treated with probiotics, fiber supplements, diet modifications.
Intolerance of artificial sweeteners – aspartame, sucralose, etc
Bile acid malabsorption – intestinal trouble can arise from a reaction to bile salts secreted by the liver (through the gall bladder). Can be treated by drugs to bind up the bile salts and maybe calcium supplements?
Fructose intolerance - I don't know too much about this. Seems like the obvious treatment is to avoid high fructose corn syrup and other sources of fructose.
Oxalate intolerance –Apparently Oxalobacter formigene, the intestinal bacterium that breaks down oxalate for us, can be killed off by antibiotics. Without this, oxalate can cause a variety of problems including IBS-like symptoms. Treatment might include avoiding foods high in oxalate – spinach, strawberries, wheat, oats, tea, chocolate, etc. Possibly helped by taking calcium supplements with meals?
Candida Albicans – Some claim that too much candida albicans in the intestine is the cause of a long list of medical problems including IBS-like problems. The treatment can include a very low-carb diet, probiotics (including saccharomyces boulardii) and antifungal supplements.
Mild IBD – Some think that many cases of IBS are mild cases of IBD where (possibly) the body’s immune system mounts an inappropriate response to intestinal microbes (bacteria, etc). Treated by drugs and maybe diet, supplements, probiotics, etc
C. Diff. - Clostridium Difficile in the intestine can cause serious (even life-threatening) trouble - usually severe diarrhea. It can occur after taking antibiotics. Should be treated immediately.
Salicylate intolerance - salicylate is in some foods, particularly blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, dates, raisins, kiwi fruits, guavas, apricots, green pepper, olives, tomatoes, radish and chicory; peanuts almonds, mushrooms. I don't know too much else about this one...
Intolerance of glutamate and/or other excitatory amino acids – MSG appears in prepared foods under different names (hydrolyzed vegetable protein, “natural flavoring” etc). Aspartate comes from the breakdown of aspartame. Some believe that too much of these amino acids can cause a variety of problems including GI troubles. Avoiding MSG and aspartame might help.
Intolerance of histamine in food – present in cheese, beer, wine, pickles, soy sauce, spinach, eggplant, fish, many fermented food and many other things.
Acetaminophen (APAP, Tylenol, Paracetamol) - alters serotonin metabolism and may contribute to functional GI trouble
NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, aspirin, etc) - well known to cause gastric ulcers, might also cause intestinal damage. Possibly linked to microscopic colitis.
Vitamin deficiencies-
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Parasites – giardia, worms, etc – can be treated by drugs
Viral or bacterial infection –
Cancer or other diseases -
