IBS - or to give it its full name - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a set of symptoms which affect the stomach and bowel. At the time of writing, there is no fully attributed cause to these symptoms, and the symptoms themselves can quite often vary dramatically between sufferers.

Because of this, IBS is often referred to by several names such as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, or irritable colon. Similarly, because of the wide spectrum of presenting complaints, IBS can be notoriously difficult to diagnose correctly, and sufferers will often have to make repeat visits to their physician before the condition is diagnosed.

To further exacerbate the situation, it is thought that IBS is a functional disorder - many experts now believe it is linked to the transit of food through the digestive system (a process called peristalsis) - which makes it very difficult to confirm by conventional medical examinations such as endoscopy or blood tests.

So How Common Is It?

IBS is a remarkably common condition - and its instance appears to be on the increase! It is estimated that nearly half of all visits to gastroenterologists are because of irritable bowel syndrome, and that around one in 5 of the UK population alone, has suffered from IBS at one time or another. Trigger factors are thought to be diet, lifestyle and stress.

I think I may be suffering from it - what are the symptoms?

As I said above, IBS comes in many shapes and forms, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort right up to severe abdominal cramps. Usually, however the symptoms are abdominal pain and discomfort particularly in the lower and right abdomen, often accompanied by irregular bowel movements and chronic diarrhoea, constipation, or even a mixture of both.

Other less common symptoms include

? Bloating

? Nausea

? A Premature Feeling Of Fullness

? Heartburn

Ok, do I just have to suffer in silence?

Certainly not! Although for many years IBS was not considered a real condition, it is now a recognised disorder and new treatments are being introduced every day.

There are now a number of commercially available prescription drugs that go some way to alleviating the symptoms, but, understandably, many people are reluctant to take them on a long term basis. Because the exact causes are still not understood, prescription drugs are often a partial, at best, solution, and may require some experimentation. This can, of course introduce side effects that further complicate the situation.

Because of this, many people prefer to use a natural alternative - and for the majority of these people, the best natural remedy is nearly always an Aloe Vera based product.

Aloe Vera has long been known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and many users have reported good results by taking as little as two teaspoons worth a day. Some people claim to notice an immediate effect of Aloe Vera in IBS, whilst others indicate a more progressive benefit over a few months.

Thank You