IBS symptoms tend to vary quite considerably between people in terms of the actual symptoms and severity, but in general the symptoms tend to flare up after eating meals and can last from a few hours to a few days.

The most common symptoms of IBS are:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Excessive wind
• An urgent need to go to the toilet
• A feeling that your need to open your bowels even if you’ve just been to the toilet
• A feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowel
• Passing mucus from your back passage.

While it’s possible to have only one or all of the symptoms, abdominal cramps along with diarrhoea, constipation or both is most common.

What causes IBS?

Frustratingly for many, the exact cause of IBS is unknown. Many experts think that it has something to do with a disruption to the normal digestive process.

Your body moves food through your digestive system by contracting then relaxing muscles in your gut in a rhythmic way. It’s thought that this process in IBS sufferers is disrupted, resulting in abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, constipation and so on. Some scientists have theorised that the control signals that travel from the brain have somehow become disrupted.

Such an example is where IBS is preceded by a bout of gastroenteritis. In this instance the intestine can become sensitised resulting in abnormal contractions often long after the original gastroenteritis has been successfully treated. As a result of these abnormal contractions IBS sufferers can experience symptoms of bloating, constipation and diarrhoea.

Psychological factors are also known to play a role in triggering IBS. Intense emotional states and traumatic events have often been associated with triggering IBS.

Can you cure IBS?

Because the causes of IBS are uncertain, there is unfortunately no cure-all treatment for IBS. Don’t despair though; the good news is that there are remedies and solutions which many people find effective in easing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and even getting rid of them completely.

For many, simply making small alterations to the daily diet is enough to help ease IBS symptoms. A good suggestion is to keep a food diary to try and pinpoint which, if any, foods trigger IBS, and you can begin to make changes from there.

People who suffer from IBS with diarrhoea may find that cutting down on foods that contain insoluble fibre (such as wholemeal bread, cereal, bran, nuts and seeds) has a positive effect on IBS symptoms. Those who suffer from IBS with constipation may find that increasing foods containing soluble fibre (such as fruit, root vegetables, barley, oats and rye) helps to ease the symptoms.

As well as the types of food you eat, having regular meals, taking your time to eat and drinking plenty of fluids can help ease the symptoms of IBS. It is also advisable to reduce your consumption of caffeine and alcohol and limit fresh fruit to three portions a day.

On top of diet, exercise is thought to play an important part in tacking IBS. Try to do 30 minutes of exercise a day around five times a week; anything which gets your heart beating and leaves you feeling moderately out of breath. Don’t overdo it though and consult your doctor first if you are embarking on a new exercise regime or have health problems that exercise could exacerbate.

In addition, try and reduce your stress levels using relaxation exercises, physical activities and exercise, as stress is thought to aggravate and increase IBS symptoms.

Along with the lifestyle changes you can make, an effective method of helping to maintain digestive health is to increase the levels of ‘good’ bacteria in your body. Levels of these ‘good’ bacteria are often low in IBS . sufferers this can be done in a number of ways, one of which is to regularly take a prebiotic supplement.

Prebiotics are a special type of foodstuff which has been shown to increase and strengthen the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Unlike many probiotics they are not destroyed by the acid conditions of the stomach and can reach the gut intact where they can be of most benefit.
Finally, you can consult your doctor to find out more about medicines which help some people in the treatment of IBS symptoms, including laxatives, antispasmodics and certain antidepressants with beneficial side-effects.

 The research, conducted by Opinion Matters on revealed that over a third (35%) of adults are feeling stressed and anxious about getting ready for Christmas such as shopping, expenses and the food preparation. Increased stress combined with low energy levels can reduce the body’s immunity, making it difficult to fight winter infections such as colds, sore throats and flu. So, make sure you’re prepared this Christmas by stocking up on winter essentials.

 Dr Ellie Cannon, expert GP from Sky Living’s ‘Slave To Food’ says, “The best way to stop feeling run down and catching colds and infections is to build up our immunity. Few people realise that around 60% of our immune system is associated with the gut, which is home to both good and bad bacteria. Stress, tiredness and sickness can reduce the amount of good bacteria which in turn can affect our ability to fight infections and stay healthy. Using supplements such as Bimuno IMMUNAID, which has prebiotics that help the ‘good’ gut bacteria to grow and flourish while reducing harmful ‘bad’ bacteria, is a great idea. By ensuring a healthy balance of good versus bad bacteria, we can help to maintain a healthy immune system.”

 Nearly 75% of the 1131 respondents also agreed that the winter months (December through to February) were when they were at their unhealthiest, with more than half saying that they over-indulged on rich and fatty foods in December and more than a third saying they exercised less than normal.  All this can further compromise the body’s immunity and decrease energy levels.

Many of last year’s Commonwealth Games teams in Delhi were hampered in their sporting efforts due to problems with Travellers’ Diarrhoea, most likely due to hygiene and water standards.   However the Welsh athletics squad and a number of English teams avoided these problems by taking Bimuno 2^nd Generation Prebiotic prior to and during the Games.   Bimuno is scientifically proven to support good gut bacteria and, uniquely, to provide a natural protective barrier against bad bacteria which could otherwise invade the gut.

The whole delegation of GB athletes and staff attending the World University Games in Shenzhen this year has been supplied with Bimuno 2^nd Generation Prebiotic powder or pastilles.  We wish them luck and hope they all enjoy a healthy and successful Games!

For more information on Bimuno and its benefits visit www.bimuno.com

Perhaps the most important to come to light in the past few decades is its central role in defending the body from infection.  Protection against illness-causing antigens (toxins, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and foreign substances) is provided by a mechanism known as mucosal immunity (the mucose being the tissue layer that lines the internal surface of the gut).  Bacteria within the gut play an important part in mucosal immunity.

Within the gut there are billions of micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses and fungi, known collectively as the gut flora.  The most common bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Clostridium and Lactobacillus, are organisms which generally live in harmony with the body and some, particularly bifidobacteria, are linked to significant health benefits.

However, there are also other bacteria, which include species such as the cocci (Enterococcus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus), the enteric bacteria (E.coli and Salmonella spp.), Clostridium difficile, and the yeast Candida which are pathogenic bacteria and have the potential to cause infection and disease.

In addition, many food components, environmental particles and chemicals pass through the gut, from where they may be able to penetrate into the body and cause disease such as allergy.  Gastrointestinal mucosal immunity helps protect the body.

The largest organ of the whole immune system can be found within the walls of the gut, where it is continually exposed to a wide range of antigens. 

This organ consists of a unique immune network, known as the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue or GALT.  The GALT contains large clumps of lymphocytes which attach invading organisms and product antibodies against them.  As a result of this activity it has been estimated that the gut controls about 60% of the body’s immune system.

Dr George Tzortzis, Clasado

The latest research¹ for unique food supplement, Bimuno^®, reveals that a third of us (32%) avoid certain countries all together for fear of being ill. Concerns about different food, water or environment mean the top destinations Brits avoid are those perceived ‘high risk’ destinations Africa (19%), India (18%) Pakistan (14%) and Egypt (13%).

Fear of one illness in particular impacts on holiday plans, with over a quarter of us (27%) avoiding a country because we are specifically concerned about ‘Delhi-belly’. Worries about travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) means 16 per cent of us avoid Africa and a further 16 per cent India, and while just four per cent of us avoid Spain for this reason, it is often the destinations closer to home where we get caught out.

The poll of 3,000 people suggests that ‘My Fair Lady’ was right in saying “the water in Majorca don’t taste like what it oughta” – as a staggering 32 per cent of Brits have fallen ill while visiting Spain. This compares to just six per cent being unwell in Italy, three per cent in Thailand and five per cent in India, despite its notorious curries and rich diet.

The research for Bimuno TRAVELAID^®, which has been clinical proven to help prevent travellers’ diarrhoea, revealed that the most common illness while abroad, affecting over four in 10 (42%) of Brits on holiday is diarrhoea – with more people suffering from this than any other ‘holiday’ illness, such as sunburn (37%), mosquito bites (20%) and heat stroke (14%)

Diarrhoea is eight times more likely than alcohol poisoning (42% vs 5%) despite Brits enjoying a beer, wine or sangria in the sun.

For those unfortunate enough to get caught out with TD, 30 per cent have suffered for two days, and 15 per cent for three days or more – destroying a large chunk of valuable holiday time.

One set of travellers eager to avoid such unpleasantness were UK teams planning to travel to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Concerns about poor hygiene standards particularly those reported at the athletes’ village meant they wanted to be fully prepared. As it turned out many competitors from other countries who had failed to take preventative measures were struck down with travellers’ diarrhoea, impacting their performance.

Kathryn Brown, Performance Nutritionist for Team Wales, explained her team’s approach: “We sent around 175 athletes to compete in 15 sports, and due to our concerns, the team took Bimuno prebiotic products which meant a reduction in cases and duration of travellers’ diarrhoea among Team Wales athletes and staff. We went on to secure our best ever haul of medals, two Gold, seven Silver and 10 Bronze.”

Natalie Melmore, English Bowls Team Gold medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, commented on her own use of Bimuno: “I can honestly recommend Bimuno TRAVELAID to any traveller or sports person going to a country where the water or hygiene standards aren’t quite what we are used to. I took the product every day for two weeks before going to Delhi and everyday whilst I was there, and never had ‘Delhi belly’ or any other related stomach problem.

“Those of the team that took it on a regular basis all came back fit and well from the trip. I would definitely take the product again as it truly helped me reach my peak performance level while competing at the Commonwealth Games.”

With the threat of illness wrecking a precious family holiday or business trip, three quarters of Brits (72%) would take a medication ahead of travel to help them prevent suffering from travel diarrhoea.

And it seems we are nation which likes to plan for the unknown, with over 70% of us packing a medicine bag of paracetamol, diarrhoea tablets and plasters.

For those who have suffered from TD while on holiday, a surprising nine per cent blame their holiday agent or operator and 20 per cent blame the hotel or accommodation they stayed in. Over half (56%) would avoid using the same holiday firm again if they had suffered from TD, and 60 per cent would avoid a return to that country.

Now at last there is an effective way to prevent you from contracting travel diarrhoea when abroad. Bimuno TRAVELAID is new patented second generation prebiotic (a selective food for ‘good gut’ bacteria) for travellers which has been proven in scientific studies to help prevent the dreaded ‘Delhi Belly’. Its unique dual-action significantly increases the ‘good’ immunity-boosting bacteria in your gut and also provides a natural protective barrier against ‘bad’ travel diarrhoea causing bacteria including E.coli and Salmonella,

TOP TEN COUNTRIES WHERE HOLIDAY MAKERS FALL ILL
1. Spain
2. Greece
3. France
4. Egypt
5. Africa
6. Turkey
7. America
8. Italy
9. India
10. Caribbean

TOP 10 MOST COMMON HOLIDAY ILLNESSES
1. Diarrhoea
2. Sun burn
3. Mosquito bites
4. Food poisoning
5. Heat stroke
6. Constipation
7. Ear infection
8. Throat infection
9. Flu
10. Alcohol poisoning

References:

1 Research in March 2011 for Bimuno, carried out with 3,000 UK adults by 72Point
2 Offi ce of Nat Stats: MQ6 Overseas Travel & Tourism Q4 2009, Table 26
3 Drakoularakou A et al. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010;64:146-152.
4 Peltola et al. 2001, Travellers’ Diarrhoea Epidemiology and Clinical aspects: In textbook of travel medicine and health, 2001
5 Dupont and Capsuto, Persistent diarrhoea in travellers, Clin Inf Dis. (22). 1996

 “The gut controls around 60% of our immune function and hugely influences our health, so we neglect it at our peril.” Professor Glenn Gibson, Food Microbial Sciences at Reading University

 The gut is also home to trillions of bacteria, that’s more than all the cells than go to make up the entire rest of your body! Scientists have in recent years discovered just how important the balance between these various bacteria can be for your health.

 Stress, poor diet, illness, antibiotics, ageing and travelling (including exposure to foreign tummy bugs) can all upset this healthy balance of bacteria in your gut causing diarrhoea, constipation and bloating.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common problem exhibiting these symptoms.  In studies, strong links have been shown between low levels of so called ‘good’ bacteria and IBS.

 A well-balanced diet, combined with exercise and relaxation, helps to maintain a healthy bacterial balance but certain food supplements can also support and assist your body’s natural defences.   Most people will have heard of probiotics, live cultures often taken in yogurt and yogurt drinks.  However, these live bacteria can be destroyed by the body’s digestive processes on the journey through the stomach and small intestine to the gut. 

 An alternative and many would argue more effective approach is to supplement your diet with prebiotics, the preferred food of your ‘good’ bacteria. Because this food is not destroyed as it travels through the digestive system, it reaches the gut intact where it selectively feeds your own good bacteria causing them to grow and significantly increase in number.

 Exciting new Bimuno^® is a second generation prebiotic proven in scientific studies to have the most potent ‘good’ bacteria increasing effect of any available prebiotic. Beneficial changes in intestinal balance have been proved after taking Bimuno for just seven days. In addition Bimuno actively works to reduce certain bad bacteria, which unchecked may gain a foothold in the digestive tract.   

 “Traveller’s diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome and general conditions related to lowered immunity are among the most common of all problems seen in the GP’s surgery and among the most difficult and frustrating to treat. Preventing them with the use of clinically-proven second generation prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides such as those from Bimuno is a major step forward and will avoid a huge amount of inconvenient and unnecessary misery for thousands.”

Dr Hilary Jones, GP

Bimuno is available in two formats to fit into your daily life from Boots, pharmacies, supermarkets and online from www.bimuno.com:   

• Bimuno Prebiotic Powder is a tasteless soluble powder which you can add to everyday food and drinks such as breakfast cereals, tea or coffee. 

  Bimuno soft chewy pastilles which are available as three specifically formulated products:

•  Bimuno IBAID – Maintains Intestinal Comfort
• Bimuno IMMUNAID – Supports your Natural Defences
• Bimuno TRAVELAID – Supports your Tummy whilst Abroad.