Natural Solutions For IBS

Gentle, effective ways to treat disrupted digestion

- Emily A Kane

Q: My doctor says I have IBS. Another doctor told me that IBS is a “nonsense” diagnosis. Either way, my digestion isn’t right. Help! —Greta Y., Santa Barbara, Calif.

a: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been in the medical news a lot lately because—guess what—it’s real, and increasingly common. Contrary to popular opinion, IBS does not cause colon or other cancers, but it can make your life uncomfortable, and if you have irregular and uncomfortable bowel movements, you should be evaluated for the possibility of a more serious disease.

IBS is distinct from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a more serious category of gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease (ulcers in the small intestine) or ulcerative colitis (bleeding from large intestine). IBS typically presents as chronic loose and urgent stools, often with cramping, and it’s not always easy to sort out the cause. This is partly because there is often an additional emotional component to IBS.