Pediatric Corner: Advances in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS and Stress

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 20% of adults and up to 14% of children in the U.S.  IBS is described by researchers as a gut-brain disorder because of the way serotonin signaling is altered in IBS patients. Serotonin is a key mediator of gut motility, or movement, and sensory perception.  People with IBS appear to have a greater perception to pain and are more affected by stress hormones that alter motility in response to external stressors.

People with IBS also appear to have alterations in gut bacteria, contributing to bloating, altered motility of the large intestine and increased sensitivity to pain. Gut bacteria are part of your normal flora. They ferment fiber from the food you eat to make compounds that benefit your immune system and gastrointestinal health. In some people, this fermentation leads to gas and bloating. Researchers are finding that one way to counteract this is to limit foods that are fermented by gut bacteria. These foods are grouped into a category known as FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Monosaccharides and Polyols). Fructose (high fructose corn syrup, apples, fruit juice), fructans and galactans (wheat, soy, legumes), lactose (dairy products) and sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol, stone fruits) are among the offending carbohydrates. The low FODMAP diet was developed by researchers at Monash University in Australia.

See more examples of FODMAPs here.