What is a spastic colon

Spastic colon is commonly known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), irritable colon, or mucus colitis, is a fairly common disorder of the intestines commonly marked by abdominal pain (stomach cramps), bloating, flatulence (gas) and changes in a person’s bowel habits. This may include diarrhea or constipation, or both, with one occurring after the other. These tend to come and go over time, and can last for days, weeks or months at a time. Both adults and children can get spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). But the condition often begins in the early twenties, and it tends to affect women slightly more often than men. The exact symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) and the severity of those symptoms can vary from one person to another. Although symptoms may come and go, for most people diagnosed with it, spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is a chronic, lifelong condition.

Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common, long-term condition that affects the functioning of the large intestine. Spastic colon is a functional disorder of the intestine, because there is no sign of the disease that can be seen or measured, but the large intestine is not functioning normally ¹.

Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is usually a lifelong problem. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can be very frustrating to live with and can have a big impact on your everyday life.

Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is common, occurring in about one in five Americans. Studies have estimated the prevalence in the United States is somewhere between 15% and 20% of the entire population. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is seen in similar frequencies in other countries around the world. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than 45 years. It usually begins in late adolescence or early adult life between 20 and 30 years of age and rarely appears for the first time after the age of 50.

The reason why women are more commonly affected by irritable bowel syndrome is not completely understood. It does not seem to be merely due to hormonal differences between men and women. Rather it seems to be due to differences in how women and men process sensations from the intestines, both in the intestinal nervous system ( “enteric nervous system”) as well as the brain and spinal cord (“central nervous system”) ². The frequency of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) seems to be the same across racial, ethnic and national boundaries.

The exact cause of IBS is unknown. It’s probably due to many factors, including the nerves in the bowel being more sensitive than usual (allowing the person to feel sensations they wouldn’t normally feel), abnormal contractions in the bowel, chronic inflammation of the bowel and psychological factors.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is best defined by what it is NOT!

• IBS is NOT an anatomical or structural defect.
• IBS is NOT an identifiable physical or chemical disorder.
• IBS is NOT a cancer and will not cause cancer.
• IBS will NOT cause other gastrointestinal diseases.

Patients suffering from spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) should not be worried about it leading to other serious diseases. The major problem with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is not because it causes death or serious disease, but because it changes the quality of life for the patient.

There are several subtypes of IBS:

• IBS-D: Diarrhea predominant
• IBS-C: Constipation predominant
• IBS-A or IBS-M: Alternating, or mixed, between constipation and diarrhea
• IBS-PI: Post Infectious IBS
• PDV-IBS: Post Diverticulitis IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome is not associated with serious medical consequences. People with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) tend to live long and in some studies, somewhat longer than individuals who do not have IBS. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is not associated with other serious GI diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) or colon cancer. The presence of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) does not put extra stress on the other organs in the body such as the heart, liver or kidneys. Overall the prognosis for irritable bowel syndrome is excellent.

A subset of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers may have co-morbidities with other digestive health disorders namely; GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) / Heartburn, Dyspepsia, Chronic Constipation, Chronic Abdominal Pain, Fibromyalgia, Pelvic pain or perhaps Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). For instance, 29% of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients have Chronic Constipation. Diagnosis can shift from one motility disorder to another over time; however, co-morbidity in IBS may be due to a general amplification of symptom reporting and physician consultation rather than a direct association.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a symptom based diagnosis. Therefore, defining the exact symptom based diagnostic criteria for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) has always been a major challenge.

Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome is not always straightforward. Properly diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome can be challenging and uncertain for several reasons, including ³:

1. There is currently no consistent biological marker of irritable bowel syndrome, leaving clinicians to rely on patient symptoms alone to make the diagnosis;
2. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are often difficult to objectively quantify, both for patients and their doctors; and
3. Many other conditions can masquerade as irritable bowel syndrome.

The last fact is most troubling to clinicians and patients, many of whom remain unsettled by the prospect of overlooking alternative diagnoses such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), infections, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, celiac sprue, or colon cancer, among many others. This uncertainty often prompts a series of diagnostic tests to exclude alternative conditions. In other words, many clinicians approach irritable bowel syndrome as a diagnosis of exclusion, largely because irritable bowel syndrome is a sort of “clinical chameleon.” That is, many clinicians work to exclude other conditions before settling on the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

The exact cause is unknown – it’s been linked to things like food passing through your gut too quickly or too slowly, oversensitive nerves in your gut, stress, and a family history of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome).

There’s no cure, but diet changes and medicines can often help control the symptoms. For people with mild to moderate spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome), diet changes can often make a big difference. The specific changes needed depend on whether you are dealing with diarrhea, constipation or both. Some people with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) find it helpful to work with a dietitian to identify healthy food choices that won’t trigger their symptoms. For more severe forms of irritable bowel syndrome, a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to help reduce symptoms.

A research study illustrated that patient education in diet, exercise, and stress management showed significant improvement in pain and symptoms at 1 and 6 months of treatment. An educational approach and appropriate use of medications should be components of a physician-based spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) treatment plan.

Spastic colon symptoms

The main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are abdominal pain, cramping or discomfort that is often relieved by passing wind or feces, stomach bloating and chronic diarrhea or constipation. Some people go back and forth between diarrhea and constipation ¹. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.

The symptoms vary between individuals and affect some people more severely than others. They tend to come and go in periods lasting a few days to a few months at a time, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods.

These symptoms can be embarrassing, inconvenient and distressing. Fortunately, irritable bowel syndrome does not cause permanent damage to the bowel and it does not cause other serious diseases like bowel cancer.

Common spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms

The main symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) are:

• stomach pain or cramps – usually worse after eating and better after doing a poo
• bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen
• diarrhea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly
• constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you can’t empty your bowels fully

There may be days when your symptoms are better and days when they’re worse (flare-ups). They may be triggered by food or drink.

Other symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome):

Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can also cause:

• farting (flatulence)
• passing mucus from your bottom
• tiredness and a lack of energy
• feeling sick (nausea)
• backache
• problems peeing – like needing to pee often, sudden urges to pee, and feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder
• not always being able to control when you poo (incontinence)

Despite the fact that irritable bowel syndrome is so common, most people with irritable bowel syndrome do not see a doctor for their symptoms ⁴. It is estimated that only 1 in 4 people with irritable bowel syndrome see a doctor (and thus become a patient with irritable bowel syndrome). Reasons why some people chose to see a doctor and others do not are not completely understood. Interestingly severity of gastrointestinal symptoms from irritable bowel syndrome alone does not seem to be the major driving factor. Rather the impact of irritable bowel syndrome on the patient’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis while having irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, the stress from having irritable bowel syndrome, and concerns about other diseases that they might have are some of the more frequent reasons patients see their doctor for irritable bowel syndrome like symptoms.

Studies have shown that that when compared to patients with no medical problems, patients with diabetes, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as individuals who have no gastro intestinal disorders, patients with irritable bowel syndrome had significantly higher degrees of impairment in their quality of life. By this is meant their physical functioning, their ability to participate in the activities of daily living, their level of emotional distress, their sexual functioning and all the other components that go into a happy and healthy normal life without disease. This is the true impact of irritable bowel syndrome and is an important reason that it deserves serious attention from the medical community. irritable bowel syndrome is also a costly disease, not only in terms of money spent for health care but also money lost because patients cannot work while they have symptoms. It is estimated that irritable bowel syndrome patients because of their inability to participate in work activities, school activities, etc. lose $30 to $90 billion per year in productivity. After the common cold, irritable bowel syndrome is the second most frequent reason people take days off from work in the United States. This makes irritable bowel syndrome a very important issue for public health and the society in general, which clearly needs to be addressed by the medical community.

What can trigger spastic colon symptoms

Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) flare-ups can happen for no obvious reason.

Sometimes spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) have a trigger like:

• alcohol
• caffeine
• certain foods – such as spicy or fatty food
• stress and anxiety

Spastic colon complications

Chronic constipation or diarrhea can cause hemorrhoids.

In addition, spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is associated with:

• Poor quality of life. Many people with moderate to severe spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) report poor quality of life. Research indicates that people with IBS miss three times as many days from work as do those without bowel symptoms.
• Mood disorders. Experiencing the signs and symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can lead to depression or anxiety. Depression and anxiety also can make spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) worse.

Spastic colon causes

The exact cause of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is not known. However, tremendous advances in our understanding of this common and disabling disorder have been made in the last 10 years. Abnormal motility in terms of the bowel moving too fast (which causes diarrhea) or too slow (which causes constipation) is certainly part of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). However, this represents only one part of a complicated disease. The symptoms of pain, incomplete emptying of the bowels, and bloating cannot be blamed only on abnormal GI motility. Over the last 20 years a number of very well done scientific studies have demonstrated that individuals with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) tend to have higher levels of sensitivity in the intestines compared to individuals who do not have spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome).

In the last 10 years, scientists found and identified certain chemicals present in the intestines, which send signals from nerve endings from the intestines to the brain, and also from the brain to the intestines. These chemicals are called “neuro transmitters” and work as messengers between nerve endings to carry signals in both directions between the brain and gut. This is very important because it has led to the development of new drugs. Some of these drugs are currently available. Others are being developed, as we better understand how these chemical ‘neuro transmitters’ work. One of the major neuro transmitters involved in sensation of pain in the gut as well as playing a key role in motility activity of the gut is serotonin. This chemical also known by its chemical abbreviation 5-HT. However, serotonin is only one of a large number of neuro transmitters that are present in the gut. As scientists identify more and more of these substances and better understand their actions, they may be able to further supplement the arsenal of medications that will influence these neuro transmitters and thus help relieve the symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). Clearly the future is quite bright both for better understanding this perplexing and disabling disorder as well as using this knowledge to make newer and better treatments for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome).

The precise cause of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) isn’t known. Factors that appear to play a role include:

• Muscle contractions in the intestine. The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through your digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. Weak intestinal contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.
• Nervous system. Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system may cause you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause your body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process, resulting in pain, diarrhea or constipation.
• Inflammation in the intestines. Some people with IBS have an increased number of immune-system cells in their intestines. This immune-system response is associated with pain and diarrhea.
• Severe infection. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea (gastroenteritis) caused by bacteria or a virus. Spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) might also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth).
• Changes in bacteria in the gut (microflora). Microflora are the “good” bacteria that reside in the intestines and play a key role in health. Research indicates that microflora in people with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) might differ from microflora in healthy people.

Triggers for spastic colon

Symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can be triggered by:

• Food. The role of food allergy or intolerance in spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) isn’t fully understood. A true food allergy rarely causes spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages, including wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks.
• Stress. Most people with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) experience worse or more frequent signs and symptoms during periods of increased stress. But while stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesn’t cause them.
• Hormones. Women are twice as likely to have spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome), which might indicate that hormonal changes play a role. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.

Risk factors for spastic colon

Many people have occasional signs and symptoms of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). But you’re more likely to have the syndrome if you:

• Are young. spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) occurs more frequently in people under age 50.
• Are female. In the United States, spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) is more common among women. Estrogen therapy before or after menopause also is a risk factor for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome).
• Have a family history of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). Genes may play a role, as may shared factors in a family’s environment or a combination of genes and environment.
• Have a mental health problem. Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues are associated with spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). A history of sexual, physical or emotional abuse also might be a risk factor.

Spastic colon prevention

Finding ways to deal with stress may help prevent or ease symptoms of spastic colon. Consider trying:

• Counseling. A counselor can help you learn to modify or change your responses to stress. Studies have shown that psychotherapy can provide significant and long-lasting reduction of symptoms.
• Biofeedback. Electrical sensors help you receive information (feedback) on your body’s functions. The feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes, such as relaxing certain muscles, to ease symptoms.
• Progressive relaxation exercises. These exercises help you relax muscles in your body, one by one. Start by tightening the muscles in your feet, then concentrate on slowly letting all of the tension go. Next, tighten and relax your calves. Continue until the muscles in your body, including those in your eyes and scalp, are relaxed.
• Mindfulness training. This stress-reduction technique helps you focus on being in the moment and letting go of worries and distractions.

Spastic colon diagnosis

There’s no test to definitively diagnose spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). Your doctor is likely to start with a complete medical history, physical exam and tests to rule out other conditions. If you have spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) with diarrhea, you likely will be tested for gluten intolerance (celiac disease).

After other conditions have been ruled out, your doctor is likely to use one of these sets of diagnostic criteria for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome):

• Rome criteria. These criteria include abdominal pain and discomfort lasting on average at least one day a week in the last three months, associated with at least two of these factors: Pain and discomfort are related to defecation, the frequency of defecation is altered, or stool consistency is altered.
• Manning criteria. These criteria focus on pain relieved by passing stool and on having incomplete bowel movements, mucus in the stool and changes in stool consistency. The more symptoms you have, the greater the likelihood of spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome).
• Type of IBS. For the purpose of treatment, spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) can be divided into three types, based on your symptoms: constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant or mixed.

Your doctor will also likely assess whether you have other signs or symptoms that might suggest another, more serious, condition. These signs and symptoms include:

• Onset of signs and symptoms after age 50
• Weight loss
• Rectal bleeding
• Fever
• Nausea or recurrent vomiting
• Abdominal pain, especially if it’s not completely relieved by a bowel movement, or occurs at night
• Diarrhea that is persistent or awakens you from sleep
• Anemia related to low iron

If you have these signs or symptoms, or if an initial treatment for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) doesn’t work, you’ll likely need additional tests.

Additional tests

Your doctor may recommend several tests, including stool studies to check for infection or problems with your intestine’s ability to take in the nutrients from food (malabsorption). You may also have a number of other tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms.

Imaging tests can include:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy. Your doctor examines the lower part of the colon (sigmoid) with a flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope).
• Colonoscopy. Your doctor uses a small, flexible tube to examine the entire length of the colon.
• X-ray or CT scan. These tests produce images of your abdomen and pelvis that might allow your doctor to rule out other causes of your symptoms, especially if you have abdominal pain. Your doctor might fill your large intestine with a liquid (barium) to make any problems more visible on X-ray. This barium test is sometimes called a lower GI series.

Laboratory tests can include:

• Lactose intolerance tests. Lactase is an enzyme you need to digest the sugar found in dairy products. If you don’t produce lactose, you may have problems similar to those caused by spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome), including abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea. Your doctor may order a breath test or ask you to remove milk and milk products from your diet for several weeks.
• Breath test for bacterial overgrowth. A breath test also can determine if you have bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine. Bacterial overgrowth is more common among people who have had bowel surgery or who have diabetes or some other disease that slows down digestion.
• Upper endoscopy. A long, flexible tube is inserted down your throat and into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). A camera on the end of the tube allows the doctor to inspect your upper digestive tract and obtain a tissue sample (biopsy) from your small intestine and fluid to look for overgrowth of bacteria. Your doctor might recommend endoscopy if celiac disease is suspected.
• Stool tests. Your stool might be examined for bacteria or parasites, or a digestive liquid produced in your liver (bile acid), if you have chronic diarrhea.

Spastic colon treatment

There’s no single diet or medicine that works for everyone with spastic colon. But there are lots of things that can help if you’ve been diagnosed with it.

General tips to relieve spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms

DO

• cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can
• keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your irritable bowel syndrome
• try to find ways to relax
• get plenty of exercise
• try probiotics for a month to see if they help

DON’T

• delay or skip meals
• eat too quickly
• eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods
• eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)
• drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
• drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks

How to ease bloating, cramps and farting

• eat oats (such as porridge) regularly
• eat up to 1 tablespoon of linseeds a day
• avoid foods that are hard to digest – like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit
• avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Buscopan or peppermint oil

How to reduce diarrhea

• cut down on high-fiber foods, like wholegrain foods (such as brown bread and brown rice), nuts and seeds
• avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Imodium (loperamide)

How to relieve constipation

• drink plenty of water to help make your poo softer
• increase how much soluble fiber you eat – good foods include oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds
• ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help (laxatives), like Fybogel or Celevac

Spastic colon medication

Medications approved for certain people with IBS include:

• Alosetron (Lotronex). Alosetron is designed to relax the colon and slow the movement of waste through the lower bowel. Alosetron can be prescribed only by doctors enrolled in a special program, is intended for severe cases of diarrhea-predominant IBS in women who haven’t responded to other treatments, and isn’t approved for use by men. It has been linked to rare but important side effects, so it should only be considered when other treatments aren’t successful.
• Eluxadoline (Viberzi). Eluxadoline can ease diarrhea by reducing muscle contractions and fluid secretion in the intestine, and increasing muscle tone in the rectum. Side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain and mild constipation. Eluxadoline has also been associated with pancreatitis, which can be serious and more common in certain individuals.
• Rifaximin (Xifaxan). This antibiotic can decrease bacterial overgrowth and diarrhea.
• Lubiprostone (Amitiza). Lubiprostone can increase fluid secretion in your small intestine to help with the passage of stool. It’s approved for women who have IBS with constipation, and is generally prescribed only for women with severe symptoms that haven’t responded to other treatments.
• Linaclotide (Linzess). Linaclotide also can increase fluid secretion in your small intestine to help you pass stool. Linaclotide can cause diarrhea, but taking the medication 30 to 60 minutes before eating might help.

Potential future treatments

Researchers are investigating new treatments for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). Serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin/protein isolate (SBI), a nutritional therapy, has shown some promise as a treatment for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) with diarrhea.

Studies also show that, in people who have spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) with diarrhea, a specially coated tablet that slowly releases peppermint oil in the small intestine (enteric-coated peppermint oil) eases bloating, urgency, abdominal pain and pain while passing stool. It isn’t clear how enteric-coated peppermint oil might affect spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome), so ask your doctor before using it.

Spastic colon diet

Spastic colon foods to avoid

Your doctor might suggest that you eliminate from your diet:

• High-gas foods. If you experience bloating or gas, you might avoid items such as carbonated and alcoholic beverages, caffeine, raw fruit, and certain vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
• Gluten. Research shows that some people with IBS report improvement in diarrhea symptoms if they stop eating gluten (wheat, barley and rye) even if they don’t have celiac disease.
• FODMAPs. Some people are sensitive to certain carbohydrates such as fructose, fructans, lactose and others, known as FODMAPs — fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. FODMAPs are found in certain grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy products. Your spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms might ease if you follow a strict low-FODMAP diet and then reintroduce foods one at a time.

A dietitian can help you with these diet changes.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ diet for spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome). However, dietary changes can often relieve spastic colon (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms.

It may help to keep a food diary so you can identify any foods that make your symptoms worse.

It can also help to modify the amount and type of fiber in your diet:

• If you have spastic colon with constipation, it can help to eat more soluble fiber and drink more water
• If you have spastic colon with diarrhea, it can help to cut down on insoluble fiber.

In some cases, avoiding a particular food or food group might help – examples include gluten, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, high fat foods or foods that cause excessive bloating such as beans, lentils or certain vegetables.

In past years spastic colon was treated from the perspective that it was a “motility disorder”. The use of fiber supplementation to improve intestinal motility or movement was a common recommendation. While some studies have questioned whether fiber supplementation alone is helpful for the treatment of IBS and its symptoms, there are other good reasons to consume a high fiber diet. High fiber diets are associated with lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol as well as a lower tendency to form diverticula or outpouchings of the colon. Moreover, some patients with spastic colon report having a good result with a high fiber diet. Certainly every patient should include at least 25 grams of fiber in their diet every day.

What is FODMAP

Australian researchers have recently developed a special diet that may help control spastic colon symptoms in some people. It’s called the FODMAP diet, and it involves restricting your intake of certain dietary carbohydrates (sugars) that are poorly absorbed by the bowel.

Before making any major changes to your diet it is a good idea to talk to your doctor or a dietitian.

FODMAP stands for “Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols“. A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) – low FODMAP diet. Since ingestion of FODMAPs increases the delivery of readily fermentable substrates and water to the distal small intestine and colon—which results in luminal distention and gas—the reduction of FODMAPs in a patient’s diet may improve functional gastrointestinal symptoms ⁵.

These fermentable short-chain carbohydrates are prevalent in the diet.

• Oligosaccharides: fructans and galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
• Disaccharides: lactose
• Monosaccharides: fructose
• Polyols: sorbitol and mannitol

Researchers suggest that the small intestine does not absorb FODMAPs very well. They increase the amount of fluid in the bowel. They also create more gas. That’s because bacteria in the colon they are easily fermented by colonic bacteria. The increased fluid and gas in the bowel leads to bloating and changes in the speed with which food is digested. This results in gas, pain and diarrhea. Eating less of these types of carbohydrates should decrease these symptoms.

As FODMAPs are poorly absorbed during the digestive process, they may pass to the large intestine (colon), where they are rapidly fermented by the bacteria that normally live in the colon. This makes chemicals called short chain fatty acids, as well as gas. This, in turn, leads to changes in the acidity and types of bacteria in the colon. The colon expands, which can lead to pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

• Diets rich in FODMAPs may increase symptoms in patients with functional gut disorders (FGD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the FODMAPs themselves are not the root of the problem. For that reason, patients may need to include other options to treat their symptoms. This may include medicine, exercise, meditation, hypnotherapy, etc.

So far, studies have shown that a low FODMAP diet has a beneficial effect in a majority of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms ⁶. One study even found that 76% of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients following the diet reported improvement with their symptoms. Probiotics also have great potential in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); however, it is still unclear which strains and doses are the most beneficial. Further research is needed on the effect of different fibers or combinations of fibers, in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Low Fodmap Diet

FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols. FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that are highly fermentable (to ferment, is to go through a chemical change that results in alcohol) and poorly absorbed during digestion ⁷. The acronym FODMAPs was created to describe poorly absorbed, short-chain carbohydrates that can lead to excessive fluid and gas accumulation, resulting in bloating, abdominal pain, and distention (Figure 1).

The Low FODMAP diet was developed by researchers at Monash University more than five years ago, in Australia, by Susan Shepherd and Peter Gibson. This diet eliminates certain foods to improve the symptoms of functional gut disorders (FGD). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a type of FGD, may be helped by this diet. IBS is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and over half of patients with IBS associate a trigger in their symptoms with eating a meal ⁸. The Monash team, led by Professor Peter Gibson, provided the first evidence that a Low FODMAP diet improves IBS symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting one in seven Australian adults and approximately 35 million Americans are impacted by IBS including many in Europe and many in Asian countries. IBS is characterised by chronic and relapsing symptoms; lower abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, wind, distension and altered bowel habit (ranging from diarrhoea to constipation) but with no abnormal pathology. The diagnosis of IBS should be made by a medical practitioner.

FODMAPs are found in a wide variety of foods, including those containing lactose, fructose in excess of glucose, fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides, and polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and maltitol). All FODMAPs have poor absorption and rapid fermentation, and they are comprised of small, osmotically active molecules. FODMAPs are poorly absorbed for a number of reasons, including the absence of luminal enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the glycosidic bonds contained in carbohydrates, the absence or low activity of brush border enzymes (eg, lactase), or the presence of low-capacity epithelial transporters (fructose, glucose transporter 2 [GLUT-2], and glucose transporter 5 [GLUT-5]). Fructose, which is an important FODMAP in the Western diet, is absorbed across villous epithelium through low-capacity, carrier-mediated diffusion involving GLUT-5. The absorption of free fructose is markedly enhanced in the presence of glucose via GLUT-2. Therefore, if fructose is present in excess of glucose, the risk of fructose malabsorption is increased. In addition, some molecules, such as polyols, are too large for simple diffusion. The fermentation rate is determined by the chain length of the carbohydrate ⁹.

For example, oligosaccharides are rapidly fermented, compared to polysaccharides. Fermentation results in the production of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and/or methane gas. Finally, small, osmotically active molecules draw more water and other liquid into the small bowel. Given these properties, a diet low in FODMAPs has become a potential therapy for IBS patients.

When FODMAPs reach the colon (large intestine), bacteria ferment these sugars, turning them into gas and chemicals. This stretches the walls of the colon, causing abdominal bloating, distension, and pain or cramping in many people. Other symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, and nausea, are also common side effects of FODMAP carbohydrates. Not everyone has the same reaction to FODMAPs. Ethnicity, genetics, and environmental factors (such as an individual’s microbiome, motility, immune system, and sensory system) may play a part in your body’s ability to tolerate these carbohydrates.

Figure 1. FODMAPs in your gut

Note: Ingested fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Their small molecular size results in an osmotic effect, drawing water (H₂0) through to the large intestine. FODMAPs are then fermented by colonic microflora, producing hydrogen (H₂) and/or methane gas (CH₄). The increase in fluid and gas leads to diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, and distension.

[Source ⁵]

When is a Low-FODMAP diet recommended ?

Despite limited data, implementation of a low-FODMAP diet should be considered in patients with IBS, particularly those in whom food is a trigger for symptoms.

Eliminating or restricting FODMAPs from the diet may greatly improve symptoms of functional gut disorders (FGD). In Australia, a Low-FODMAP diet is the main treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It was adopted by their National Therapeutic Guidelines. The Low-FODMAP diet can be adjusted to meet personal food and lifestyle preferences. Following a personally developed Low-FODMAP plan does not cure IBS, but it may lead to drug-free management of symptoms and better quality of life. As with any diet, it is important to discuss with your doctor and working with a gastrointestinal trained dietician is also useful.

A number of studies suggest that limiting FODMAPs in the diet leads to improved symptoms in one-half to two-thirds of patients who follow this diet. Many patients see improvement in 1-2 weeks, though some may need to wait up to 4 weeks. Bloating and abdominal pain are the most likely symptoms to improve. Diarrhea is more likely to improve than constipation. If there is no improvement after 4 weeks, it is likely not worth continuing this diet.

A Low-FODMAP diet is not recommended for people without gastrointestinal symptoms. Also, if your IBS symptoms improve on the Low-FODMAP diet, you should eventually re-introduce FODMAPs, one at a time, to identify foods that trigger symptoms and those that do not. This will allow a more diverse diet. Keeping a personal food diary may help simplify this process

Implementation of a low-FODMAP diet is best done with the help of a dietician during a one-to-one consultation so that the dietician can understand the patient’s symptoms; this process also ensures that any diet modifications are individualized and still provide a balanced diet. A diet history should be taken to determine the composition of FODMAPs in an individuals diet. Education can then be tailored appropriately rather than focusing on FODMAPs that may never be consumed. Lists of food substitutions can help patients understand what they can and cannot eat (Table 1) ¹⁰. For good symptom control, individuals should restrict their total FODMAP load for 6-8 weeks. After this time, the diet may be modified to be less restrictive based on symptom response.

However, there are also several limitations to low-FODMAP diets. Most foods do not list their FODMAP content. In addition, the cutoff levels for FODMAP content are not clearly defined. When this diet was first examined, cutoff values were proposed based on foods that patients identified to be triggers for their symptoms. Foods and beverages with the following amounts of FODMAPs were considered to have risk for inducing symptoms: more than 0.5 g of fructose in excess of glucose per 100 g, more than 3 g of fructose in an average serving quantity regardless of glucose amount, and more than 0.2 g of fructans per serving ¹⁰. Although a low-FODMAP diet has been shown to be helpful in patients with IBS or other functional bowel disorders, further randomized controlled trials should be conducted.

Table 1. Foods High in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAPs) and Suitable Alternatives

FODMAP	Foods high in FODMAPs	Suitable alternatives low in FODMAPs
Excess fructose	Fruits: apple, clingstone peach, mango, nashi pear, pear, sugar snap pea, tinned fruit in natural juice, watermelon	Fruits: banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, carambola, durian, grape, grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemon, lime, orange, passion fruit, pawpaw, raspberry, strawberry, tangelo
	Honey sweeteners: fructose, high-fructose corn syrup	Honey substitutes: golden syrup, maple syrup
	Large total fructose dose: concentrated fruit sources, large servings of fruit, dried fruit, fruit juice	Sweeteners: any sweeteners except polyols
Lactose	Milk: regular and low-fat cow, goat, and sheep milk; ice cream	Milk: lactose-free milk, rice milk Ice cream substitutes: gelato, sorbet
	Yogurts: regular and low-fat yogurts	Yogurts: lactose-free yogurts
	Cheeses: soft and fresh cheeses	Cheeses: hard cheeses
Oligosaccharides (fructans and/or galactans)	Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, fennel, garlic, leek, okra, onion, pea, shallot	Vegetables: bamboo shoot, bok choy, capsicum, carrot, celery, chives, choko, choy sum, corn, eggplant, green bean, lettuce, parsnip, pumpkin, silverbeet, spring onion (green part only)
	Cereals: rye and wheat cereals when eaten in large amounts (eg, biscuit, bread, couscous, cracker, pasta)	Onion/garlic substitutes: garlic-infused oil
	Legumes: baked bean, chickpea, lentil, red kidney bean	Cereals: gluten-free and spelt bread/cereal products
	Fruits: custard apple, persimmon, rambutan, watermelon, white peach	Fruit: tomato
Polyols	Fruits: apple, apricot, avocado, cherry, longon, lychee, nashi pear, nectarine, peach, pear, plum, prune, watermelon	Fruits: banana, blueberry, cantaloupe, carambola, durian, grape, grapefruit, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemon, lime, orange, passion fruit, pawpaw, raspberry
	Vegetables: cauliflower, mushroom, snow pea
	Sweeteners: isomalt, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and other sweeteners ending in “-ol”	Sweeteners: glucose, sugar (sucrose), other artificial sweeteners not ending in “-ol”

[Source ¹⁰]

FODMAP Food List

Table 2. FODMAP Food List

Food	Avoid	Suitable
Lactose	Dairy whey and high-lactose containing milks such as cow, goat, sheep, chocolate, buttermilk, and condensed milk, and whipped cream. Ice cream, cow’s milk-based yogurt, brie, cottage cheese, ricotta, and sour cream.	Gelato or sorbet (though watch fructose content) and lactose-free yogurts. Aged hard cheeses tend to be easier to tolerate. Cheddar, Colby, parmesan, and mozzarella. Greek yogurt. Limit: Butter, margarine, sour cream, half and half, cream cheese, Swiss cheese, goat cheese, feta cheese, cheddar, parmesan, and mozzarella contain lactose, although at lower amounts.
Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives	Soy milk contains galactans and should be avoided as well, coconut milk, soy products, hummus, beans, and lentils.	Lactose- free or lactaid milk, rice milk, almond milk, almond butter, and cashew milk.
Fructose / Sweeteners	Honey, agave, apples, cherries, dates, guava, honeydew melon, lychee, mandarin oranges, mangoes, peaches, pears, persimmons, star fruit, canned fruit in natural juices, dried fruits and less ripe fruits, corn syrup, high fructose sweeteners, coconut milk, fruit pastes (i.e. chutney, plum sauce, barbeque sauce, ketchup), rosé wine, port, and sherry	Maple syrup, jams, marmalades, vegemite, table sugar, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cranberries, grapefruit, kiwis, kumquats, lemons, limes, passion fruit, raspberries, and strawberries. Limit: grapes, oranges, papaya, pineapple, and watermelon.
Fructans
Starches	Bread, pasta, semolina, flour tortillas, wheat-based bread and breadcrumbs. Wheat-based cereals, crackers, cookies, cakes, pasta, and pastries. Beer.	Corn breads, gluten- free breads, pastas, cereals, as well as corn flakes, oatmeal, potato-based breads, rice-based noodles and breads, and wheat-free rye bread.
Fruit	Grapes, mangoes, peaches, persimmon, pineapple, watermelon, and bananas.	Grapefruit, lemons, limes, papaya, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.
Vegetables	Artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, chicory, garlic, leeks, lettuce, okra, onions, radicchio, scallions, shallots, snow peas, and zucchini.	Bean sprouts, bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, chives, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, turnips, winter squash, and garlic-infused oil.
Galactans	Plant based proteins such as beans, black-eyed peas, chick peas, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, pinto beans, soy products, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, green beans, and yellow beans.	Eggs, nuts, quinoa, seeds, bean sprouts, bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, chives, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, spinach, and tomatoes.
Artificial Sweeteners	Sorbitol, mannitol, isomaltose, malitol, xylitol, polydextrose, hydrogenated starch	Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin. Commonly found in various gum and candy as well.
Polyols
Fruit	Apples, apricots, avocados, cherries, lychee, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and watermelon.	Bananas, blueberries, grapefruit, kiwi, lemons, limes, passion fruit, raspberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and strawberries
Vegetables	Artichoke, asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, green beans mushrooms, snow peas sprouts, and summer squash.	Bean sprouts, bell peppers, bok choy, carrots, celery, chives, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, lettuce, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, winter squash, yams, and zucchini.

Eat Less Of These Foods

Lactose

• Cow’s milk, yogurt, pudding, custard, ice cream, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and mascarpone

Fructose

• Fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, mangoes, pears and watermelon
• Sweeteners, such as honey and agave nectar
• Products with high fructose corn syrup

Fructans

• Vegetables, such as artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, garlic and onions
• Grains such as wheat and rye
• Added fiber, such as inulin

Oligosaccharides (fructans and/or galactans)

• Chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans and soy products
• Vegetables, such as broccoli

Polyols

• Fruits, such as apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, pears, peaches, plums and watermelon
• Vegetables, such as cauliflower, mushrooms and snow peas
• Sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol and isomalt found in sugar-free gum and mints, and cough medicines and drops

Eat More Of These Foods

• Dairy: Lactose-free milk, rice milk, almond milk, coconut milk, lactose-free yogurt; hard cheeses such as feta and brie
• Fruit: Bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, lemon, lime, oranges and strawberries
• Vegetables: Bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, bok choy, carrots, chives, cucumbers, eggplant, ginger, lettuce, olives, parsnips, potatoes, spring onions and turnips
• Protein: Beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs and tofu
• Nuts/seeds (limit to 10-15 each): Almonds, macadamia, peanuts, pine nuts and walnuts
• Grain: Oat, oat bran, rice bran, gluten-free pasta, such as rice, corn, quinoa, white rice, corn flour and quinoa

The idea behind the low FODMAPs diet is to only limit the problematic foods in a category — not all of them. (After all, they do have health benefits.) You may tolerate some foods better than others.

Meet with a registered dietician if you are considering this diet. It’s important to make sure your eating plan is safe and healthy. He or she will have you eliminate FODMAPs from your diet. Then you gradually add the carbohydrates back in one at a time and monitor your symptoms. A food diary and symptom chart may be helpful tools.

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