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| Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS |
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| What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): |
| Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a term used to describe discomfort in the
bowel (the colon, or large intestine). Symptoms of IBS may include crampy pain,
bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, and changes in bowel habits. Some people
with IBS have constipation—infrequent stools that may be hard, dry and painful.
Others have diarrhea—frequent loose stools. Some people having alternating
constipation and diarrhea. Sometimes a person with IBS has a crampy urge to
move the bowels but cannot do so. You may have heard IBS referred to as
"spastic colon" or "spastic bowel." Sometimes IBS is confused with inflammatory
bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. But IBS is not a disease and does
not cause inflammation, bleeding, damage to the bowel, or cancer or other
serious diseases. It is called a functional disorder, which means that there is
no sign of disease when the colon is examined, but the bowel doesn't work as it
should. The cause of IBS is not known, and as yet there is no cure. Often IBS
is just a mild annoyance, but for some people it can be disabling. They may be
unable to go to social events, to go out to a job, or to travel even short
distances. Most people with IBS, however, are able to control their symptoms
through diet, stress management, and medicines. |
| Who gets IBS: |
| IBS is a common problem, affecting up to one in five people. However, estimates
of the number of people with IBS vary. The majority of people with IBS (perhaps
75 percent) are women. IBS often begins in the teen years or young adulthood
but can affect people of any age. |
| What are the symptoms of IBS: |
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Symptoms of IBS may include:
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Crampy pain in the abdomen
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Constipation
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Diarrhea
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Alternating constipation and diarrhea
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Feeling that you haven't finished a bowel movement
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Gas
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Bloating
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Mucus in the stool
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| What causes IBS symptoms: |
| The colon or large intestine is a muscular tube about 6 feet long. It connects
the small intestine with the rectum and anus. The colon absorbs water and salts
from digested food after it has traveled from the stomach through the small
intestine. The muscles of the colon contract (tighten or squeeze) and gradually
move the material toward the rectum. Strong contractions then lead to a bowel
movement. Colon contractions are controlled by nerves, hormones, and by
electrical activity in the muscles. Researchers have found that, for unknown
reasons, the colons of people with IBS are more sensitive than usual, and react
to things that would not bother other people. For example, the muscles may
contract too much after eating. These contractions can cause cramping and
diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. The nerves can be overly sensitive to
the stretching of the bowel (because of gas, for example), causing cramping or
pain. Diet and stress play a role in IBS for many people, causing symptoms or
making them worse. In women, IBS symptoms may be worse during their menstrual
periods, so hormone changes may be involved. Sometimes IBS symptoms appear
after another illness. |
| How is IBS diagnosed: |
| IBS usually is diagnosed after bowel disease has been ruled out. Your doctor
will probably take a complete medical history, do a physical exam, and check
for blood in your stool. Other diagnostic tests such as blood tests, x-rays or
a colonoscopy (viewing the colon through a flexible tube inserted through the
anus) may be done if needed. |
| How do diet and stress affect IBS:
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| In people with IBS, diet and stress often seem to cause symptoms. Many people
report that their symptoms occur after a meal or when they are under stress. No
one is sure why this happens, but scientists have some clues. Eating causes
contractions or spasms of the colon. Normally, this response may cause an urge
to have a bowel
movement within 30 to 60 minutes after a meal. In people with IBS, the urge may
come sooner with cramps and diarrhea. Contractions may be stronger after a
large meal or a meal with a lot of fat in it. Many people with IBS learn to
avoid certain foods, beverages, and medicines that seem to make their symptoms
worse. Stress can cause contractions of the colon in people with IBS.The
reasons for this are not clear, but scientists point out that the colon is
controlled partly by the nervous system. Learning relaxation methods and other
ways to reduce stress can be helpful. Counseling and support help relieve IBS
symptoms in many people.
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| What foods may cause IBS symptoms: |
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Some foods that may cause symptoms include:
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Fatty foods like french fries
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Milk products like cheese or ice cream (especially in people who have trouble
digesting lactose, or milk sugar)
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Chocolate
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Alcohol
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Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, and some sodas)
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Carbonated drinks like soda
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Sorbitol, a sweetener found in dietetic foods and in some chewing gums
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Gas-producing foods including beans and certain vegetables like broccoli or
cabbage.
You may want to keep a journal keeping track of the foods that seem to cause
trouble. If certain foods cause your symptoms to flare up, you can try eating
less of those foods. Discuss your findings with your doctor. You also may want
to consult a registered dietitian, who can help you make changes in your diet.
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| What can I do to help my IBS besides avoiding problem foods
and beverages: |
| Drinking lots of water and increasing your fiber intake may help, especially if
constipation is a problem. Fiber is found in bran, bread, cereal, beans,
fruits, and vegetables. It's a good idea to increase the fiber in your diet
gradually to avoid causing gas and pain. Many people with IBS also use a fiber
supplement to add soluble fiber, often from psyllium seeds, to the diet.
Regular exercise can help with constipation and improve your health in other
ways. Look into support groups, stress
reduction methods or counseling if you think they might be helpful. Be careful
about using laxatives, anti-diarrhea or other over-the-counter medicines to
treat yourself. They can cause problems if misused. Other kinds of medicines
sometimes make IBS symptoms worse, too.
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| What medicines are used to treat IBS: |
| Medicines sometimes used for IBS symptoms include: fiber supplements and
occasional use of laxatives (for constipation) antispasmodics—drugs that
control colon muscle spasms and help with diarrhea and pain tranquilizers and
antidepressants to help with stress, anxiety, and depression. Be sure to follow
your doctor's instructions for use of all medicines. Some medicines including
laxatives can be habit-forming, and all drugs have side effects. Tell your
doctor about any over-the-counter medicines that you use. New drugs are being
developed for IBS—ask your doctor about new treatment options.
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Source Adapted and Modified From:
http://womenshealth.about.com
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