How to relieve the symptoms of functional colopathy?

1 in 4 French people are affected by functional colopathy , but what is it exactly?

What is functional colopathy?

Functional colopathy , also called irritable bowel syndrome, is an intestinal disease that causes abdominal pain and a functional transit disorder, such as diarrhea, constipation or both, alternately. It is an invisible disease, not serious, which does not increase the risk of developing another disease of the digestive tract. It is quite simply a dysfunction of the intestine which is not easy to diagnose and which has long been considered, wrongly, as a psychological manifestation. You know the good old one:

– “It’s stress, ma’am!” »

The causes of functional colopathy

There are several possible causes of functional colopathy :

1. Viral episode of gastroenteritis or taking antibiotics: They will create an imbalance in the intestinal flora ( dysbiosis )
2. Excess of irritating foods: Coffee, tea, spices, chocolate or even citrus fruits can also have their share of responsibility in the appearance of the disease.
3. Sex: Women are more prone than men; hormones are responsible for the onset of seizures, particularly during the premenstrual period.
4. Chronic stress and anxiety: The balance between the brain and the intestine (the second brain) is disrupted when you suffer from functional colopathy. Indeed, stress and anxiety affect the digestion process, which causes diarrhea and transit disorders, which leads to intestinal dysbiosis. And this discomfort aggravates stress and anxiety, it's a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape.

Symptoms of functional colopathy

Every person is different and therefore symptoms may vary but some are particularly identifiable. To allow the doctor to diagnose functional colopathy , the patient must present at least 3 of the following signs:

1. Abdominal pain: spasms or contractions, of varying intensity. They generally appear after meals but can also occur at night and affect the quality of sleep. These attacks can last a few hours and up to several days
2. Flatulence: more common in people with functional colopathy and its emission is also an effective way to relieve abdominal pain.
3. Bloating : It is also common and represents a discomfort that makes it difficult to wear tight clothes, especially after meals. They can be accompanied by noises inside the digestive tract due to the movement of gases and liquids. Generally, passing gas or stools relieves this symptom and the pain associated with it.
4. Constipation and/or diarrhea: In people with chronic functional colopathy, transit disorders are very present and stools are rarely normal.

In all cases, this disease causes general discomfort which must be taken seriously. Fortunately there are solutions to relieve yourself.

What treatments to treat functional colopathy?

We speak of functional colopathy when the symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months. The treatments offered are above all natural and based mainly on a healthy lifestyle.

1. Ban the overconsumption of irritating foods that can be responsible for functional colopathy

Certain foods are irritating to the colon, here are those to avoid:

1. Gluten: Studies show that this protein found in wheat, rye and barley promotes gastrointestinal symptoms.
2. Lactose and dairy products in general: People with functional colopathy also very often have an intolerance/sensitivity to milk. Consuming it makes the symptoms worse.
3. Spicy meals: Spices like chili cause spasms of the large intestines and diarrhea.
4. Processed foods, too fatty, too salty and too sweet which are much less digestible and bad for your health.
5. Raw vegetables: They are more difficult to digest and promote bloating.
6. Alcohol, coffee and tea as well as sodas, especially those containing sweeteners, are particularly irritating to the intestine.

2. Consume more fiber to relieve functional colopathy

When you suffer from functional colopathy, you often alternate between episodes of constipation and diarrhea. In the first case, it is advisable to eat more fiber, found for example in fruits, vegetables, legumes and oilseeds.

3. Take a course of probiotics

People with this functional disease often suffer from dysbiosis (= imbalance of intestinal flora). So to find a balanced intestinal flora, we recommend that you take a 3-month course of DIJO probiotics which will considerably reduce symptoms such as bloating, transit disorders and spasms.

4. Use vegetable activated carbon

It is a natural ancestral remedy which helps reduce bloating and occasionally helps with digestion. It is easily found in the form of a food supplement in pharmacies or organic stores.

5. Take antispasmodics to relieve pain

Finally, your doctor may prescribe treatment such as antispasmodics for pain related to functional colopathy. This does not cure but helps relieve pain occasionally.