| Some evidence indicates that the immune | | | | little. It may absorb too much water or |
| system, which fights infection, is also | | | | too little. |
| involved. Irritable Bowel Syndrome | | | | Research has shown that very mild or |
| symptoms result from the following: The | | | | hidden (occult) celiac disease is |
| normal motility of the colon may not | | | | present in a smaller group of people |
| work properly. It can be spasmodic or | | | | with symptoms that mimic Irritable Bowel |
| can even stop temporarily. Spasms are | | | | Syndrome. People with celiac disease |
| sudden strong muscle contractions that | | | | cannot digest gluten, which is present |
| come and go. | | | | in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly |
| The lining of the colon (epithelium), | | | | oats. Foods containing gluten are toxic |
| which is affected by the immune and | | | | to these people, and their immune system |
| nervous systems, regulates the passage | | | | responds by damaging the small |
| of fluids in and out of the colon. In | | | | intestine. A blood test can determine |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the epithelium | | | | whether celiac disease is present. (For |
| appears to work properly. However, fast | | | | information about celiac disease, see |
| movement of the colon's contents can | | | | the Celiac Disease fact sheet from the |
| overcome the absorptive capacity of the | | | | National Institute of Diabetes and |
| colon. The result is too much fluid in | | | | Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).) |
| the stool. In other patients, colonic | | | | The following have been associated with |
| movement is too slow, too much fluid is | | | | a worsening of Irritable Bowel Syndrome |
| absorbed, and constipation develops. | | | | symptoms: |
| The colon responds strongly to stimuli | | | | -Large meals |
| (for example, foods or stress) that | | | | -Bloating from gas in the colon |
| would not bother most people. | | | | -Medicines |
| In people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, | | | | -Wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk |
| stress and emotions can strongly affect | | | | products, or alcohol |
| the colon. It has many nerves that | | | | -Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, |
| connect it to the brain. Like the heart | | | | tea, or colas |
| and the lungs, the colon is partly | | | | -Stress, conflict, or emotional upsets |
| controlled by the autonomic nervous | | | | Researchers have also found that women |
| system, which has been proven to respond | | | | with Irritable Bowel Syndrome may have |
| to stress. For example, when you are | | | | more symptoms during their menstrual |
| frightened, your heart beats faster, | | | | periods, suggesting that reproductive |
| your blood pressure may go up, or you | | | | hormones can exacerbate Irritable Bowel |
| may gasp. The colon responds to stress | | | | Syndrome problems. |
| also. It may contract too much or too | | | | |