FEELING BLOATED? IT COULD BE A SIGN YOU’RE STRESSED

PLAGUED by agonising stomach cramps, wind, bloating and other embarrassing digestive problems? Then you may be among an estimated one Briton in ten who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic and debilitating disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.

The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but many experts believe it’s related to problems with digestion and increased gut sensitivity.

Stress is also thought to be a factor, but new research claims changes to gut bacteria could be behind the condition. A research team from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA, looked at a number of studies and concluded that changes to the microorganisms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be a cause of IBS.

IBS sufferers can become constipated or have diarrhoea because matter passes through the gut either too slowly or too quickly.

Researchers found that changes to gut microbiota caused by alterations to diet and antibiotic use could affect the GI tract’s ability to move waste through the system. They also highlight data suggesting that emotional stress can change the shape and function of microorganisms in the GI tract, according to the research, which was published in the January edition of the American Journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

Current treatments for IBS look at changes to diet and lifestyle, stress-relieving techniques and medication such as antispasmodics and low-dose antidepressants to ease stomach pain and cramping.

Understanding how gut bacteria may play a part in IBS could herald new treatment options in the future, according to the authors: ‘Overall, the outlook is optimistic, and we now have the necessary tools and the knowledge as we embark on developing effective microbiota-targeted therapies for IBS.’