Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an ordinary disorder, which affects the gastrointestinal tract. IBS causes abdominal pain or discomfort and bloating. Healthcare diagnosed IBS by the symptoms.  IBS does not harm the digestive tract or not caused colon cancer. IBS symptoms are manageable with a balanced diet or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If a person has severe symptoms which are in rare cases then the symptoms are managed with some prescribed medication and treatment from a doctor.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

IBS is a disorder in which a bunch of symptoms affects the gastro tract. It is a common disorder but very uncomfortable. A person suffering from IBS face- gastric issues, abdominal pain, and abdominal cramps.

What are other names for IBS? 

IBS is known by the following names:

1. IBS Colitis
2. Mucous Colitis
3. Spastic Colon
4. Nervous Colon
5. Spastic Bowel

What are the Different Types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Scientists classify IBS on the basis of issues with the bowel moment a patient faces. Doctors treat the patient according to the type of IBS they are facing. The following are the types of IBS:

• IBS with constipation (IBS-C): The fecal matter is mostly a hard bowel moment.
• IBS with Diarrhea (IBS-D): The fecal matter is more waterly bowel moment than normal.
• IBS with Mixed bowel Habits (IBS-M): The fecal matter is hard and loose or watery of the bowel moment on the same day.

Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Till date, there is no clear cause of IBS known. They think that combined factors lead to the IBS. Under are the following causative factors:

• Dysmotility: It is the issue in which gastro tract muscles move the food in an improper way through the gastro tract.
• Visceral Hypersensitivity: Due to visceral hypersensitivity pain threshold decreases than normal.
• Brain-gut Dysfunction: Because of miscommunication between the neuron of the brain and the gut.
• Early Life Style: A person who faced a stressful incident, mainly at an early age has symptoms of IBS.
• Changes in gut microbes: Due to changes in the fauna of the stomach can cause IBS. The people having IBS have different types of fauna than normal.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS includes the following symptoms:

1. Abdominal Pain and Cramps
2. Bloating
3. Fecal matter is hard or loose than normal
4. Excessive gas than normal
5. Mucus in fecal matter
6. The alteration between diarrhea and constipation.

Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The doctor examines you and also looks at your medical history. They ask about the following symptoms you are facing:

1. Any pain during bowel movement?
2. Alteration in bowel movement and how frequent it is?
3. When did your symptoms start?
4. Ask about the medication you take already if any.
5. How long had you been sick?
6. Any stressful incident in your past?

After observing all the questions they can further run some tests to confirm. 

1. Blood test
2. Fecal/ Stool Sample
3. X-ray

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

There is no specific treatment for IBS to date. Doctors personalize the treatment according to the patient’s needs. Making changes in the daily routine, or in eating habits, helps in reducing the symptoms and helps in treating IBS.

Alteration in Diet

• Intake of fruits and vegetables which are rich in fiber. 
• Adding supplements of fiber to the meal
• Drinking enough water
• Avoid intaking caffeine
• Lactose intolerance is normal in IBS patients. So add other food items which are rich in calcium.
• Avoid fried and junk food
• Try low FODMAP diet
• Avoid stress

Alteration in Physical Lifestyle

• Regular exercise
• Avoid smoking
• Eating small meals but repeatedly

Medications

• Probiotics are given to maintain the fauna of the stomach and intestine.
• The doctor gives medicine for constipation and diarrhea.
• The doctor prescribed some antidepressants in case the patient has any anxiety and depression with abdominal pain.

In some rare cases after all the above treatment patient nor recover. Doctors run some tests and ask you to take mental therapies. In some case patient get relied on the following procedures:

1. Biofeedback
2. Hypnotherapy
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Prevention of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

There is not any proper cause for IBS. So IBS can’t be controlled. But its symptoms can be decreased by taking some preventive measures:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Physically active
• Intaking high-fiber food

Please Note: These measures and Symptoms may vary and are just to provide educational information about the disease and are not standard practices. We advise you to consult a health care Professional, before trying anything at home.

FAQs on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Question 1: What are the possible complications of IBS in a child?

Answer: 

Children having IBS can face the following complication are:

Due to IBS children don’t get bowel moment in time. This makes them feel awkward which doesn’t let them to go in school. They get depression and anxiety because of this.

Question 2: What other health problems do people with IBS have?

Answer:

Normally IBS doesn’t show any severe symptoms. It is treatable by changing the daily routine, and diet. IBS doesn’t cause any permanent damage to the GI tract. IBS patients face other problems like 

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Depression and anxiety

Question 3: Who is more likely to develop IBS?

Answer:

People who are under the age of 50 are more prone to developing IBS. IBS is common in female, after or before menopause estrogen therapy also makes them prone to IBS.

Question 4: If anyone has IBS, does that mean he is more likely to develop serious gastrointestinal problems?

Answer:

In rare case IBS show severe symptoms. In normal people can treat IBS on their own by making some changes in diet, and lifestyle. But IBS doesn’t develop any serious gastrointestinal issues or any change in bowel moment.