
	IBS Info
	Excessive Bloating
	Fibre
	Control
	Low Starch Diet
	Products
	Relief
	Natural Treatment
	Nausea
	Pepto Bismol
	Zoloft
	Eating
	Fat Malabsorption
	Headaches, Confusion, Weakness, Tired
	Apple Cider Vinegar
	Heartburn
	Chiropractics
	Grapefruit Seed Extract
	Is it a disease
	More Alternative Medicine
	Narrow Stool
	Bad smell
	Does whisky help
	Dos and don'ts
	Fibromyalgia
	Tomato
	Aloe vera
	Constipation
	Non Drug Remedy
	Probiotics
	St Johns Wart
	More...

Fibromyalgia IBS

Many research studies have been able to identify a link between IBS and Fibromyalgia despite the fact that they are very different conditions. Fibromyalgia is characterised by a variety of symptoms the main one being widespread pain and tenderness. This pain can also be localised in a specific area of the body such as the hips, back, neck or shoulders. Other symptoms include the possibility of disturbed sleep patterns, “brain fog” or difficulty concentrating, memory problems, cystitis and other symptoms affecting the urinary and digestive tract, skin disorders, a tingling sensation in the muscles and muscle spasms.

A fairly significant proportion of people with Fibromyalgia also suffer from IBS. IBS is characterised by abdominal pain and bloating along with abnormal bowel movements in the form of diarrhoea, constipation or both. Other symptoms can include a feeling of incomplete evacuation after performing a bowel movement, a sense of urgency, mucous in the stools and flatulence.

Why there should be a link between IBS and Fibromyalgia is not fully understood but research is beginning to highlight possibilities. Like IBS, Fibromyalgia is not life threatening but can be debilitating. There is certainly a strong correlation between the two. Both conditions are associated with perception of pain. For example, fibromyalgia is associated with pain in the absence of any physiological damage. The same goes for IBS. Despite the pain and abnormal bowel movements, the gastro intestinal tract in patients with Fibromyalgia and those with IBS appears normal. So what is the link?

Research by the Burns and Allen Research Institute in Los Angeles, described in a study paper called “A link between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia” how Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO is a common feature of both Fibromyalgia and IBS. They are not the only ones though; many other research studies have highlighted this link too.

SIBO or Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth is often found in people suffering from food intolerances and allergies, IBS, Fibromyalgia, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and indeed other conditions. It can also occur as a result of taking antibiotics.

So what is SIBO?

The process of digestion involves the entire digestive tract reaching from the mouth right through to the anus. A certain amount of friendly bacteria is necessary in the gut in order to break down food and prevent an overgrowth of yeast, unfriendly bacteria and parasites. Bacteria exist in both the small intestine and the colon but they are of different types. Furthermore, relatively few bacteria are present in the small intestine with most of it existing in the colon.

During the process of digestion normal muscular contractions propel food and bacteria out of the small intestine and into the colon. If something interferes with this function, for whatever reason, then the result can be an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This causes a number of symptoms which can include gas, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.

The good news is that SIBO is relatively easy to detect and diagnose and from there, appropriate treatment options can be discussed.