spastic colon question

I just had a colonoscopy yesterday, and found out I have a spastic colon.  I also have gullbladder (gallbladder) disease, and have not taken it out...yet.

Could anyone tell me more about a "spastic colon", and how it is going to effect me long term?  My doctor told me that I have to eat a high fiber, low fat diet, and stay away from raw fruits and vegetables.  

How frustrating!  I have to avoid fats bc of my gullbladder (gallbladder), and now I have to avoid raw fruits and veggies.  Any advice?  Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[virgo57]

This is a cut and paste,
Spastic colon is also known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is a collection of symptoms, usually involving a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and excessive gas. There is no identifiable cause of IBS, although symptoms may be aggravated with stress. IBS affects almost 30% of young women.
In irritable bowel syndrome, the bowel does not contract properly. It may contract forcefully after eating, causing severe cramps or spasm. Diarrhea may occur from the hypermotility (excessive work) that the bowel does. However, normal contractions of the bowel may actually become weaker, leading to constipation. The symptoms of IBS are painful spasms and bloating, usually in the lower abdomen, and diarrhea alternating with constipation. The abdominal pain frequently subsides after a bowel movement. The pain tends to increase when more frequent loose bowel movements occur. IBS is associated with the feeling of having an incomplete bowel movement, and the need to go again. Even when IBS symptoms are severe, they rarely disturb a person's sleep. If symptoms do occur in the night, it may suggest a structural problem such as inflammation of the bowel.

Symptoms of IBS may be confused with more serious disorders such as inflammation of the bowel (colitis) or cancer. However, in IBS no structural abnormality exists, although there are well-defined abnormalities in the movement of the colon. There often are no symptoms of fever, rectal bleeding or weight loss, which are common in inflammatory diseases of the bowel. When all diagnostic test results are normal but symptoms persist, the condition is defined as irritable bowel syndrome. IBS tends to begin in young adulthood. A young person with only IBS symptoms and no other symptoms of structural disease may not require diagnostic studies. Older adults who begin to suffer from IBS symptoms may recall similiar episodes in the past. However, onset of IBS symptoms as an adult should be medically evaluated to rule out potentially serious bowel disease.

Because IBS can be a lifelong condition, the best approach to managing IBS is diet. A high fiber diet affects the entire length of the colon. Fiber increases the bulk of stool and helps reabsorb excess fluid. Extra bulk moves the stool through the colon faster, which relieves constipation without producing diarrhea. Fiber is found in grains, cereals, fruits and vegetables. A gradual introduction of vegetables and grains into the diet and choosing a variety of high fiber foods may reduce symptoms of bloating which may occur with a high fiber diet. Since fiber absorbs considerable amounts of water, drink 8 glasses of water per day. Spicy foods may aggravate symptoms of IBS. For many people, the dietary change may completely eliminate symptoms.


Herbs for Spastic Colon
UC-C
UC3J
Slippery Elm
Marshmallow
Whole Leaf Aloe Vera
STR-J
Liquid Chlorophyll
Una De Gato
Alfalfa
CLT-X
Bifidophilus
Lobelia Extract
SKL
Herbal Calcium


Spastic Colon , IBS
Is Often Caused By Undiagnosed Parasites
Learning to work with stress is a task for everyone, but it is very important for people with intestinal problems. Stress management can also play a vital role in reducing the frequency and intensity of symptoms. Stress has been linked to causing acute attacks of IBS, and reducing stress can help relieve the attack. Because the attacks may not occur until several hours after the stress has passed, it is important to incorporate stress reduction as part of a healthy lifestyle


Information Page

[reb]

Can I ask a question? Why the "high fiber" diet but stay away from raw fruits and vegetables? Fruits and vegetables are high fiber- if one couldn't digest those wouldn't something high fiber like All Bran be worse? I have heard this advice as well but don't understand the reasoning- it seems contradictory to me...

[virgo57]

Hi,
If you go to www.eatingforibs.com it will tell you all about the soluable fibre and insoluable. All about why you can eat this but can't eat another. This website has alot of info on the foods you can eat..they are also selling a book but I didn't buy it as the website gives you enough info.
Best of luck and good health!

[danips]

My understanding was I can eat fruits and veggies, but they should be cooked so it is easier for my body to digest.  I just found out that a spastic colon is another name for irritable bowel syndrome.  My doctor didn't tell me this or offer any further advice.

I am considering seeing a homeopathic doctor and or a nutritionist, bc I don't know what I should and shouldn't be eating.  

Thanks for all of the valuable advice!

[gasx]

After i had my son 15 months ago i've been suferring from IBS it started out really bad that if u even touched my stomache i had to run to the bathroom.  up untill about 1 yr ago i just had a lot of lower gas so bad that if i wanted to go out one night i couldn't eat anything all day so i would have stomache pains and flactuance-(i appoligive for my spelling) and since i'm so young and wanted to go out on the weekends i couldn't eat all weekend. they say it happends to a lot of young women but nothing is helping me. since i also have ulsers i can't eat fruits and vegetables or anything acidic. so i can only eat chicken and potatoes but is giving me gas aswell. pleae help me what can i eat.

[jeeesy]

I have an inflamed bile duct, and i am in secere pain.  I go to the docter tommarow I hope they advise surgery for this.  I have had this befor and they did not do anything I need some kind of advice.

[jeeesy]

I have an inflamed bile duct, and i am in secere pain.  I go to the docter tommarow I hope they advise surgery for this.  I have had this befor and they did not do anything I need some kind of advice.

[lilmac]

Gasx,

i have had ibs for about 6 years.  i drink a glass of citracel everyday.  this was recommended to me by my dr. a few years ago.  it works!  that and watching what you eat really helped.  i also quit drinking, which helped me.  a good gastro dr. should be able to help you.  good luck all.