Wissenswertes

Irritable bowel syndrome and histamine intolerance

This blog article is about IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome. And the connection between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and histamine intolerance.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

So-called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, as approximately 20 percent of the population is affected – with women being affected more frequently than men.

Typical symptoms and complaints include abdominal pain, which often lasts for longer than 3 months. This is often felt in the lower abdomen and is frequently cramp-like, alternating between mild and severe.

The abdominal pain often occurs with the following accompanying symptoms:

Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating and a bloated abdomen
Stomach pain
Nausea
Pain relief after a bowel movement
Incomplete bowel evacuation
Mucus in the stool

However, other functional disorders of the digestive tract, such as heartburn, nausea, upper abdominal pain, or a feeling of fullness, also occur more frequently (than in healthy individuals). Furthermore, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not limited exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract.

Hands over the abdomen

Those affected also frequently experience/have:

Fatigue
Back pain
Sleep disorders
Anxiety
Nervousness
Bladder issues

There are four types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Diarrhea type: More than three bowel movements daily
Constipation type: Fewer than three bowel movements weekly
Pain type: Cramp-like pain triggered by excessive bowel movement
Meteorism type: Bloated abdomen

Important to know: While Irritable Bowel Syndrome is uncomfortable and can partially limit quality of life, it is not dangerous. Irritable Bowel Syndrome alone does not increase the risk of dangerous diseases.

What is/are the cause(s) of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

A precise cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not known; several factors play a role. There are structural and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the enteric nervous system. The symptoms of IBS can also be exacerbated by stress, as the central nervous system is closely linked to the nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract.

An undiscovered food intolerance, such as frequently fructose or histamine, but also small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or a gut flora dysbiosis can represent a cause for IBS.

Remember: Even if IBS can be triggered by stress, it is a real physical symptom and not something imagined!

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

According to a study, about 60 percent of those affected by Irritable Bowel Syndrome also react to histamine in food!

This may be because an irritated bowel restricts the function of the histamine-degrading DAO enzyme. This can lead to histamine-related symptoms, as listed above.

A histamine intolerance can be an accompanying symptom of IBS. Conversely, an undiscovered food intolerance (often fructose or histamine) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as well as a gut flora dysbiosis can also be the cause of IBS.

Worth knowing: A low-histamine diet can reduce the symptoms of IBS!

And with other intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a histamine intolerance can also develop or appear as an accompanying symptom. Here, too, a low-histamine d i et can have a supportive effect.

The diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Since there is no specific test, the diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is made by exclusion. This may already sound familiar to you from histamine intolerance. It is important to rule out organic diseases with your doctor using laboratory tests, ultrasound, and endoscopies.

Consultation with a doctor

The therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

There are three forms of therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a low-FODMAP diet, probiotics, and a gut cleanse/gut restoration. In general, however, warmth and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation initially help with symptoms.

The low-FODMAP diet

A low-FODMAP diet is frequently used to improve symptoms. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are sugars that are ingested with food and fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. The gases produced during fermentation lead to the symptoms. For this reason, it is recommended to pay attention to a low-FODMAP diet.
You should avoid, for example:

Apples
Cherries
Mango (1)
Dates
Cow's milk
Honey
Processed meat
Wheat

With this diet, you proceed similarly to the exclusion diagnosis for histamine intolerance: You avoid FODMAP-rich foods for approximately 8 weeks. If the symptoms have subsided, you can gradually test and slowly reintroduce various foods.

When seasoning and cooking, it is also worth taking a close look at the ingredients: Our organic vegetable broth contains no onions, garlic, or yeast and can be used in a variety of ways for soups, sauces, and many other dishes.

It is suitable for a low-FODMAP and also a low-histamine diet.