Wissenswertes

Irritable bowel syndrome and histamine intolerance

This blog post is about IBS – irritable bowel syndrome. And what the connection is between irritable bowel syndrome and histamine intolerance.

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting approximately 20 percent of the population – with women being more frequently affected than men.

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

Abdominal pain is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • constipation
  • Bloating and abdominal distension
  • Stomach ache
  • nausea
  • Pain relief after bowel movements
  • incomplete bowel movement
  • Mucus in stool

However, other functional disorders of the digestive tract, such as heartburn, nausea, upper abdominal pain, or bloating, also occur more frequently (than in healthy individuals). Furthermore, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not limited exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract.

Hands over intestines

Those affected often also have/have

  • tired
  • Back pain
  • Sleep disorders
  • Feelings of anxiety
  • nervousness
  • Bladder problems

There are four types of irritable bowel syndrome:

  • Diarrhea type: More than three bowel movements daily
  • Constipation type: fewer than three bowel movements per week
  • Pain type: Cramping pain triggered by excessive bowel movement
  • Type of meteorism: Bloating

It's important to know that while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unpleasant and can sometimes impair quality of life, it is not dangerous. IBS alone does not increase the risk of serious illnesses.

What is/are the cause(s) of irritable bowel syndrome?

The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown; several factors play a role. There are structural and functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the enteric nervous system. IBS symptoms can also be exacerbated by stress, as the central nervous system is closely linked to the enteric nervous system.

An undetected food intolerance, such as frequent fructose or histamine intolerance , but also small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or intestinal flora dysbiosis can be a cause of IBS.

Remember: Even though irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by stress, it is a real physical symptom and not a psychological imagining!


Irritable bowel syndrome and histamine intolerance

According to a study, about 60 percent of those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome also react to histamine in food!

This can be due to an irritated gut impairing the function of the histamine-degrading DAO enzyme. This can lead to histamine-related symptoms, as listed above.

Histamine intolerance can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Conversely, an undetected food intolerance (often fructose or histamine), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or gut flora dysbiosis can also be the cause of IBS.

Good to know: A low-histamine diet can reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome!

And in other intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis , histamine intolerance can also develop or occur as a secondary symptom. Here, too, a histamine-reduced diet can be helpful.

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

Since there is no specific test, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is diagnosed by exclusion. This may already be familiar to you from histamine intolerance. It is important to rule out any underlying medical conditions with your doctor using laboratory tests, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

Consult a doctor

The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

There are three forms of therapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a low-FODMAP diet, probiotics, and a gut cleanse/gut restoration. However, warmth and relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation are generally helpful in relieving symptoms.

The low-FODMAP diet

To alleviate symptoms, a low-FODMAP diet is often used. FODMAP stands for fermented 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 cause the symptoms. For this reason, a low-FODMAP diet is recommended.
You should avoid, for example:

  • apples
  • Cherries
  • Mango (1)
  • Dates
  • Cow's milk
  • Honey
  • processed meat
  • Wheat

This dietary approach is similar to the process of ruling out histamine intolerance: you avoid FODMAP-rich foods for approximately 8 weeks. Once the symptoms have subsided, you can gradually reintroduce various foods.


Sources

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