People with allergies report a high incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), especially those with food allergies. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the bowels that affects approximately 15% of population in general and about 30% of people report IBS symptoms after some acute infection such as allergic reaction to food or food poisoning.
Yes. As a disease, irritable bowel syndrome is different from food poisoning. It has its own causes, symptoms and treatment. But many people have conception that certain foods trigger symptoms of IBS, and of-coarse their idea is quite reasonable. It is known that some disorders of gastrointestinal tract such as eosinophilic esophagitis and oral allergy syndrome are related to allergies. It may be possible with irritable bowel syndrome as well.
A Study
A detailed comparative study was done between people with allergic diseases and those without allergic diseases.The study found that people with seasonal allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are more likely to have IBS symptoms than the other group who are without allergy. In the same study, it was found conversely, people with IBS are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis than to those without IBS.
While it is still not correctly explained as why this is so, researchers take mast cells as reason behind these findings.
Mast cells, also known as mastocytes, are resident cells that are found in several types of tissues throughout the body. They are found particularly in association with blood vessels and nerves. Mast cells play an important role in allergy and anaphylaxis, being intimately involved in defense against pathogens and wound healing.
According to the study, people with IBS have more mast cells within their intestines. They act to cause the symptoms of IBS manifest in the person who is exposed to certain food and pollen allergens. It is also found that people with IBS had improvement in IBS symptoms on avoiding allergic food or allergic situation.
