Irritable Bowel Syndrome, better known as IBS, is a common condition that affects the digestive and gastrointestinal tracts. This disease is different than Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome is less severe and more manageable. People with IBS will experience various abdominal and stomach symptoms, including pain, discomfort, aches, and constipation.
IBS is considered a chronic condition and will affect people their entire lives. While there isn’t a known cure for IBS, there are treatments that can ease the symptoms and help you lead a normal life.
As a disease of the bowels and digestive system, most symptoms associated with IBS will affect various parts of your GI tract, including the stomach, abdomen, large and small intestines, and colon. Here are the most common symptoms of IBS.
Most cases of IBS are fairly minor, and many people with IBS never even find out they have it. However, abdominal pain and discomfort can be debilitating and dangerous in extreme cases. You should see a doctor if you experience unexpected weight loss, anaemia, rectal bleeding, vomiting, or prolonged diarrhoea or constipation.
As with many bowel and digestive disorders, the exact cause of IBS isn’t known. However, several risk factors increase your chances of developing IBS.
Your intestinal walls are covered in tiny muscles that contract and relax as food passes them. If your contractions are too fast or slow, it can cause IBS.
Although people of any age can develop IBS, it’s more common in people under 50.
Due to higher oestrogen levels, women are more likely to develop IBS.
In some cases, your diet can cause IBS if you’re intolerant to certain types of food. This includes intolerances to wheat, dairy, gluten, beans, cabbage, and carbonated beverages.
People who have had a recent stomach infection are more prone to developing IBS than those with no history of infection.
Studies have shown that those who experience stress or trauma early in life are more prone to IBS.
You’re also more prone to IBS if you have ultra-sensitive nerves in your digestive system.
The bacteria in your gut play a huge role in your digestive health. If you don’t have enough probiotics in your system or have poor gut health, you’re more prone to IBS.
Unlike other digestive conditions, there are no laboratory or diagnostic tests to diagnose IBS. Instead, your medical provider will start by taking a complete patient history and performing a few basic tests to rule out other conditions. Then, based on your symptoms, health history, and physical examination, your doctor can confirm whether or not you have IBS.
If they’re having trouble making a concrete diagnosis, your doctor may order additional testing to rule out other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease. This could include the following.
In most cases, however, your doctor can diagnose IBS based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination.
Just as IBS affects everyone differently, each condition is treated differently based on your symptoms. In most cases, combining dietary and lifestyle changes with medication will eliminate the symptoms of IBS.
Dietary modifications include eating high-fibre foods, avoiding trigger foods, drinking more water, and limiting dairy and caffeine.
Getting more exercise, avoiding cigarettes, and practicing relaxation techniques help reduce the symptoms of IBS.
Your doctor will likely prescribe probiotics, fibre supplements, antidepressants, pain medications, and either an anti-diarrhoea medication or laxatives, depending on your symptoms.
A combination of these treatments should be enough to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by IBS and help you live a normal life.