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