Roughage is the term that we usually give to fiber. Fiber is dietary material from plants that is difficult for the body to digest. Roughage definitely helps constipation. Most foods that we consume these days are very low in fiber. There are two main types of fiber. They are soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is easier to break down and it is found in foods like beans,...

IBS bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the bowel (intestines) and affects an estimated 15% of persons in the US. The term, irritable bowel, is not a particularly good one since it implies that the bowel is responding irritably to normal stimuli, and this may or may not be the case. The several names for IBS, including spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis,...

IBS bowel syndrome or more commonly known as IBS, is not commonly known until 1992. Since then, more and more people realize that the frequent cramping of the stomach, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation are all part of IBS symptoms. Although IBS does not cause permanent harm to the sufferer, it can cause much distress, discomfort and embarassment. Diet is one of the major cause...

Are researchers treating IBS in a manner fitting the most reported gastrointestinal disorder, or is it taking a back seat while other maladies that have clinical validity get research funding? Where does the rubber meat the road? What is "clinical validity? As defined by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) clinical validity is a measurement of the accuracy with which a test or tool...

IBS bowel syndrome is believed to be due to the abnormal function (dysfunction) of the muscles of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract or the nerves controlling the organs. The nervous control of the gastrointestinal tract, however, is complex. A system of nerves runs the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus in the muscular walls of the organs. These...