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Ankylosing Spondylitis...Try Saying That Three Times Fast, Part 2

 
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After I spent some time reading more research and testimonials from those suffering with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), I still don’t think I am pronouncing it correctly, but I am beginning to think more and more that there is in fact a connection with AS and a gastrointestinal disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The correlation between these two is profound when it comes to starch. Yes, starch. Who would have thought, considering AS is an autoimmune disease and IBS is a bowel disorder, right?

Research shows that a bacterium normally found in the digestive track -- which feeds off of starch -- is indeed the root cause of pain, bloating and discomfort for both of these medical conditions. There have been many cases where a person is diagnosed with IBS because they share the same symptoms as AS and years down the line find out they had ankylosing spondylitis the whole time.

With the number of cases like this rising, it is important for those suffering with IBS to get checked for the AS gene, to see if what they thought was irritable bowel syndrome is actually ankylosing spondylitis. Although IBS is a disorder I would never want to come across, AS can deform your spine and effect some very important organs. Not something to mess with, that is for sure. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms related to IBS, you might want to consider looking past that and into a deeper condition -- ankylosing spondylitis.

With all this in mind, how is a person suffering from AS supposed to suppress their symptoms and still keep up with their normal lifestyle? Well, it takes some adjusting, that is for sure. The theory of a low-starch/no-starch diet proves to significantly relieve most symptoms. I read several testimonials on the internet praising a no-starch diet to minimize their pain, discomfort, fatigue and stomach bloating. For some, a no or low-starch diet treated IBS symptoms and control their arthritic symptoms so that their daily activities were not effected.

For those unfamiliar with “starch,” essentially it is a carbohydrate that consists of glucose or sugar. Some examples of starch we eat on a daily basis would be: rice, wheat, corn, potatoes, bread, pancakes, cereals and pasta. For some, it might be impossible to go cold turkey on some on your favorites, like cereal and pasta, but keep in mind that lowering your wheat flour and refined sugar intake can significantly suppress most, if not all, of your symptoms.

While doing some research on this topic, I came across an excellent book/cookbook on a low-starch diet by Carol Sinclair titled, “The IBS Low Starch Diet.” She provides over 200 recipes, her story of living with AS and not even knowing it for many years and how a low-starch diet had worked miracles for her symptoms. My Christmas present to all of you suffering with ankylosing spondylitis (or IBS for that matter) is the suggestion of this book. I read her story, went through her cookbook and really think this life adjustment will work wonders for you.

A low-starch diet combined with light daily exercise and you should be well on your way back to normalcy -– if there is such thing! Remember though, you should consult your doctor before drastically changing your eating habits. It is important to seek their professional opinion, and possibly add other treatments in the mix. And always keep in mind if you have been diagnosed with IBS, it might benefit you to get tested for the AS gene to see if that is a potential underlying medical condition.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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