[Blessings2You]

I was reading something recently that suggested that approximately 11% of MSers have Irritable bowel syndrome, compared to approximately 3% of the general population.

I wonder why that would be? Are some MS symptoms mistakenly diagnosed as IBS? I haven't really researched it, just something I was wondering about.

[jccgf]

I think it is about intestinal permeablitity and subsequent food sensitivities (causing IBS symptoms for many) for some people with MS.

There is a lot of new research being done right now on intestinal permeability and its relation to autoimmune disease. In celiac disease, the only autoimmune disease with KNOWN cause... ingestion of gluten directly causes intestinal permeability by destroying the intestinal villi, and triggering autoimmunity that can target pretty much any organ in the body. They are looking at whether gluten may be involved in other autoimmune disease as well, especially T1DM, but also MS, RA, and others. There was just study that came out yesterday about this.

Tight junctions, intestinal permeability, and autoimmunity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19538307

However, research on this goes back further than this study. Dr. Fasano, who authored the article above, discovered the protein zonulin several years back. He found people with autoimmune diseases have higher levels of zonulin, and zonulin performs the "gatekeeping" function of the intestinal barrier as well as the blood brain barrier. Leaky gut and leaky brain. Ingestion of gluten increases zonulin levels in EVERYONE who eats gluten, but the levels appear higher in those with autoimmune disease. And... there may be other factors that cause increased permeability of the intestinal barrier... that may also play a role in the development of autoimmune disease. Research ongoing.

Here are some links to some of the info on zonulin and the intestinal barrier.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/zonulin

If you are really interested.. you can see more studies looking at food sensivity and autoimmune disease here:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...oimmunedisease
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/crohn's,ibd,ibs

Gluten and casein sensitivity may factor into the development of TIDM, too. Vitamin D deficiency is the other big thing they are relating to autoimmunity.

So... there is a lot going on in th research... but the bottom line is that the increase of IBS is likely related to increased intestinal permeability found in many various autoimmune disease patients. (which causes food sensitivity... and possibly systemic immunological reactions in predisposed individuals)

This line of research is the basis for much of what the people at MS-Direct are basing their dietary recommendations upon.... but I don't want to speak for them. I don't have MS... my family is gluten sensitive... which is how these paths connect for me. http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/multiplesclerosis

Cara

[tkrik]

B2Y- It's called a neurogenic bowel (and bladder). The neurogenic bladder is not uncommon for us MSers, the bowel less common. Many people with neuro issues, especially those with spinal cord injuries, have neurogenic bowels and bladders.

I am not surprised by what you read. I have spinal lesions and the neurogenic bladder. In a flare, my bowel will act up.

[jccgf]

That's possible, too, and those same types of neurological problems can also be seen in gluten sensitivity.

Also, what is IBS? It is a dx of exclusion....when there is no other explanaton for the symptoms. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/180389-overview

I know that people with Fibromyagia also have an increased prevalence of IBS.... and I guess that might be due to both neurological and/or food sensitivity issues, too.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...atiguesyndrome

[lady_express_44]

Originally Posted by tkrik

B2Y- It's called a neurogenic bowel (and bladder). The neurogenic bladder is not uncommon for us MSers, the bowel less common. Many people with neuro issues, especially those with spinal cord injuries, have neurogenic bowels and bladders.

I am not surprised by what you read. I have spinal lesions and the neurogenic bladder. In a flare, my bowel will act up.

I have the opposite problem from incontinence (or other IBS-type loose stool symptoms) when I am in a spinal cord flare. Do you too, T?

(I also have Ulcerative Colitis, but it doesn't help things along during a flare, unfortunately).

Cherie

[tkrik]

Originally Posted by lady_express_44

I have the opposite problem from incontinence (or other IBS-type loose stool symptoms) when I am in a spinal cord flare. Do you too, T?

(I also have Ulcerative Colitis, but it doesn't help things along during a flare, unfortunately).

Cherie

Yup! LOL Our spinal flares symptoms are pretty similar, Cherie. No fun, and last a long time.

[Dejibo]

The majority of the control for your immune system is in your intestines. If your immune system is on the fritz, your intestines should be on the fritz.

I started out many years ago with vicious IBS. I knew every bathroom, everywhere I went, and was panicked if I had to go too far from any of them. My world became so limited, and while working on an ambulance, its not a good idea to have to turn over CPR to a partner because its either find a potty or pass out. I only had to do that once to make me seek tummy help.

[Jodylee]

I've been wondering the same thing B2Y. My IBS sx started about the same time my as my first ms sx. IBS is one of those dx of last resort when the docs don't know what else to tell you.

Long before my ms dx I was told I had fibromyalgia and IBS. Now my neuro and I believe it was ms all along.

[FinLady]

I'm on meds since my whole digestive track, including tummy, likes to spasm. That's where my fun issues come from.

On my bad days, you can see my tummy jump up and down. Reminds me of Alien.