If you suffer from allergy symptoms, you could be at risk for developing irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago recently noted that individuals with hay fever are more than twice as likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) than those who are unaffected by seasonal allergies. For folks with allergic skin conditions, the likelihood of having IBS appears to be nearly four times greater.

As the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder in the United States, IBS affects approximately one in five Americans. The condition is more common in women and typically strikes in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Symptoms of the disorder vary from person to person, but they often include abdominal cramping, pain and bloating. Most IBS sufferers experience either chronic constipation or diarrhea, but some alternate between the two extremes.

While the exact cause of IBS remains unknown, there's evidence to suggest that many patients with the disorder have colons that are extremely sensitive and reactive to various stimuli. For many IBS patients, emotional and physical stress can trigger symptoms.

In some cases, food allergies or intolerances may be at the root of the problem. Wheat and dairy products are often implicated, and consumption of alcohol, caffeine and chocolate often leads to flare-ups.

Treatment of IBS typically starts with the removal of offending foods and stressors. Prescription drugs may be used to alleviate specific symptoms, including abdominal cramping, constipation and diarrhea.

In recent years, two popular prescription medications indicated for the treatment of IBS were withdrawn from the market. In 2002, manufacturers of the IBS drug Lotronex voluntarily pulled the product from pharmacy shelves after several patients died and many others suffered serious side effects while taking the medication.

In some cases, the drug was found to cause a dangerous reduction in blood flow to the intestine. Lotronex may still be prescribed in certain circumstances, but only by specially trained physicians enrolled in a monitored prescribing program.

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration asked manufacturers of the IBS drug Zelnorm to suspend marketing and sales in the United States after a safety analysis linked it to a higher risk of serious cardiovascular conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Zelnorm is currently available for emergency use only.

In 2008, a new drug, Amitiza, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women 18 years of age and older. The drug works by increasing fluid secretion in the small intestine to facilitate the passage of waste material through the gastrointestinal tract.

For folks who prefer to steer clear of prescription drugs and their unwelcome side effects, a few natural remedies can be very effective in the treatment of IBS symptoms. Slippery Elm, made from the bark of the tree by the same name, has been used as an herbal remedy in North America for centuries.

Slippery Elm is rich in mucilage, a gummy or slimy plant substance known for its ability to soothe irritated membranes throughout the digestive tract. It also helps coat the lining of the gut, protecting it from exposure to potential irritants and allergens in foods.

Herbal remedies used to ease symptoms of IBS often include extracts from the roots and leaves of the marshmallow plant. Like Slippery Elm, marshmallow is rich in mucilage.

Teas made from flowers of the chamomile plant have been used for centuries to treat a number of digestive ailments. Active ingredients in chamomile extract are known to reduce pain and spasm of the gastrointestinal tract, two common symptoms among IBS sufferers.

The results of several clinical trials suggest that dietary supplements containing psyllium are beneficial in the treatment of IBS. Psyllium is a mucilaginous, water-soluble fiber that can help normalize bowel function and reduce the frequency and severity of constipation and diarrhea.

Many patients with IBS experience significant improvements when they take probiotics — live microorganisms that normally inhabit the human gut. These beneficial bacteria not only play an essential role in the digestion of food, they're also necessary for proper function of the immune system.

Because antibiotics can destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut, taking a source of probiotics is especially important after treatment with any type of antibiotic medication. Probiotics are available in supermarkets and health food stores in the form of cultured yogurt products, powders and capsules.

Although there's no known cure for irritable bowel syndrome, the elimination of dietary irritants and the addition of key dietary supplements can help most IBS sufferers enjoy long-term symptom relief.

Rallie McAllister is a board-certified family physician, speaker and the author of several books, including "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her website is www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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