4 Unsettling Symptoms of IBS and What to Do About It

For many people, the very first sign of autoimmune illness is IBS, irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is characterized by alternating diarrhea and constipation, indigestion, nausea, passing excessive amounts of gas, and other gastrointestinal distress. Because it’s a syndrome, you don’t have to have all the symptoms to be diagnosed with IBS. As many as 60% of people with IBS also have fibromyalgia. Both are caused by leaky gut. Here are 4 unsettling symptoms of IBS and what to do about it.

Many people will tell you that IBS can’t be cured and can only be treated with medications. I suffered from IBS for over a decade and it’s now gone. I’m going to show you what I did to receive deliverance so you can, too.

The Underlying Cause

The underlying cause of IBS is leaky gut. According to numerous studies, the lining of the small intestine can become porous and unwanted bacterial products called endotoxins can sometimes “leak” through the lining and enter the bloodstream. This is called intestinal permeability or leaky gut. For many years, the traditional medical community did not recognize this disease, but now it is known to them as Hyperpermeable Intestines.

When this happens, our immune system thinks these molecules are foreign invaders and mounts an attack against them, resulting in a chronic inflammatory response. 

Leaky gut can be caused by:

• What you eat (processed food, gluten, cow’s dairy products, sugar, unsprouted grains, GMO foods, not enough probiotics and fiber, hydrogenated oils), 
• Prescription drugs, especially OTC pain relievers, birth control pills, antibiotics, and steroids (these cause bacterial imbalance by killing the natural good bacteria in your gut)
• Chronic stress
• Inflammation
• Yeast (or candida)
• Lack of zinc

Symptoms

Here are 4 symptoms of IBS and what to do about it. Remember, it’s a syndrome, so you don’t have to experience all of them to have it. Your symptoms may even change over time.

1. Frequent constipation. Constipation can be caused by IBS or by a food or medication you are ingesting. I recommend you see your doctor to rule out other conditions. If IBS is diagnosed, try these supplements to overcome constipation.
   • Take one teaspoon of ICP twice per day.
   • Flax Seed Oil or Cod Liver Oil. Use 1 tablespoon of either flax or cod liver oil mixed with carrot juice every day.
   • ComforTone (an effective combination of herbs and essential oils that support the health of the digestive system by eliminating residues from the colon and enhancing its natural ability to function optimally. • Because it supports normal peristalsis (the wave-like contractions that move food through the intestines), ComforTone is ideal for strengthening the system that delivers nutrients to the rest of the body. • It also contains ingredients that are beneficial to liver, gallbladder, and stomach health.)
   • AlkaLime (helps preserve the body’s proper pH balance, assists in reducing the following signs of acid based yeast and fungus dominance: Fatigue/low energy, overweight, aches and pains, low resistance to illness, allergies, urinary tract infections, rectal/vaginal itch, headaches, irritability/mood swings, acid indigestion, colitis/ulcers, diarrhea/constipation, candida)
2. Stomach Distress. Stomach pain, gas, cramps, indigestion, and bloating are common IBS symptoms. If you notice an increase in these symptoms, IBS may be the culprit. You may want to keep a food journal to see if any of the foods you eat are connected to your gastrointestinal distress.
3. Incomplete bowel movements. You many struggle to move your bowels, even over several days trying to completely empty your bowels. Usually, a change of diet can help.
4. Diahrrea. Diarrhea is very common in IBS. Again, make sure you check with your doctor to rule out any more serious conditions. I experienced alternating diarrhea and constipation, which makes for a not-so-fun roller coaster ride. Try avoiding dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, and greasy, fatty, and spicy foods; try adding bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (as your meal plan allows). I suggest you stay away from OTC medications that stop diarrhea. Instead, try these suggestions:
   • Bentonite clay. Drink 1/2 to 1 teaspoon once per day as many days of the week as you’d like. Mix the clay with water, preferably in a jar with a lid where you can shake the clay and make it dissolve. Then drink it right away. (Contains alkalizing minerals in contrast, which brings the level of the body’s pH to a more optimal balance between acidity and alkalinity, helping to make the blood, saliva, and urine more alkaline. By removing toxins, digestive-distress causing chemicals, and heavy metals from the gut, bentonite clay helps to promote the “good bacteria” or probiotics living in your gut wall and to decrease the amount of harmful “bad bacteria”.)
   • AlkaLime (helps preserve the body’s proper pH balance, assists in reducing the following signs of acid based yeast and fungus dominance: Fatigue/low energy, overweight, aches and pains, low resistance to illness, allergies, urinary tract infections, rectal/vaginal itch, headaches, irritability/mood swings, acid indigestion, colitis/ulcers, diarrhea/constipation, candida)
   • L-glutamine powder (5 grams 2x daily). Glutamine is an amino acid that helps repair the digestive tract, especially important for people with chronic diarrhea.

Spiritual Causes

Remember, there is always an underlying spiritual cause to everything we see in the physical realm. Sometimes we need to pull back the curtain and expose the darkness to light. I discuss the spiritual causes of autoimmune disease (including IBS) in my free ebook, Autoimmune Disease: Spiritual Reasons Why Your Body is Attacking Itself. My road to restoring my body to health began here.

Learn more in my new book, Be in Health: Bible-Based Health Restoration: Living in Harmony with God’s Ways Regarding Health. Available now.