What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome, known as IBS for short is a
common disorder of the digestive system. Approximately 1 in 5 people
in Britain suffer with IBS. It is usually more common in women but this
may be just because more women seek medical attention for IBS.
Doctors call IBS a
functional disease because, it causes no long term damage to the intestines
and does not lead to more serious diseases such as cancer.
What causes
irritable bowel syndrome?
The cause of IBS is unknown, however, stress
and gut infections are common triggers. Diet is another common trigger
and though IBS can't be blamed on an unhealthy diet, some people may
have a bowel which is sensitive to particular foods.
The symptoms of IBS appear to be due to an
over sensitive bowel. This results in spasm of the bowel muscle, causing discomfort and cramping pain.
What symptoms are associated with irritable bowel
syndrome?
IBS symptoms vary
in each person, for some people IBS can be a minor discomfort but for
others it can be disabling. Symptoms of IBS usually begin
in the late teens or early adulthood, though they may occur at any age.
IBS symptoms tend to come and go and may include any of the following:
- Diarrhoea.
- Constipation.
- Alternate constipation and diarrhoea.
- Stomach cramps.
- Abdominal bloating after meals.
Some women say that the bloating is so severe it makes them look pregnant.
- Wind.
- Mucus in bowel movements.
- The need to move bowels but
unable to do so.
Remember, these symptoms could indicate other problems
so always consult your doctor if your symptoms persist or are severe.
You should also contact your doctor if there is any blood present in
your stools.
What triggers irritable bowel syndrome?
The two main triggers of IBS are thought to be diet
and stress. IBS can be triggered by sensitivity to certain foods. If
you can work out what foods (if any) make your IBS symptoms worse, eliminate
them from your diet. Foods which commonly act as triggers include the
following:
- Caffeine products e.g. tea, coffee and cola.
- Dairy products.
- Alcohol.
- Smoking.
- Spicy foods.
- Wheat, barley and rye.
You should also avoid eating large meals, instead eat
smaller meals more often or eat smaller portions. I have suffered with
IBS and for me the main trigger was chewing gum. Since eliminating it
from my diet I very rarely suffer any IBS symptoms.
How is irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed?
Your doctor will usually begin by giving
you a physical examination and you may be asked to give a stool sample.
You may also be referred to a hospital for further tests, to exclude
the presence of more serious disorders. Tests the doctor might carry
out include a blood test, x-ray, endoscopy (to observe the inside of
the bowel) or an ultrasound.
However, these tests are less likely to be carried out if you are under
40 years of age.
IBS is only really diagnosed when other
possible causes are eliminated.
How is irritable bowel syndrome
treated?
There is no specific treatment or
cure for IBS. However, most people can manage their symptoms through
a combination of diet, exercise and medication. Your doctor may suggest
you go on an elimination diet to discover if your IBS symptoms react
to particular foods.
Keep a record of when your IBS symptoms occur, to help
you identify which food might be acting as a trigger for you. Try to
eat low fat and high fibre foods, especially if one of your IBS symptoms
is constipation. Ensure you increase your fibre intake gradually to
allow the stomach time to get used to it. If, however, one of your major
IBS symptoms is diarrhoea you should try cutting down on the amount
of fibre you eat. You should also try cutting out alcohol, caffeine
and dairy products to see if this helps ease symptoms and aim to drink
8 glasses of water a day.
If your symptoms are brought on by stress it may be helpful
to have counselling in stress management or try hypnotherapy.
Make sure you keep physically active, exercise is a great
way to improve digestion and stress. Try dancing, swimming or even walking
a few times a week. There are also many homeopathic remedies available
to relieve IBS symptoms. Peppermint oil capsules have a direct muscle
relaxant action and have a calming effect on the digestive tract so
can be very helpful, ask your pharmacist for advice.
When symptoms are present try relieving them with a hot
water bottle, placed on the stomach.
Remember, though IBS can be a very distressing condition,
it is not serious or life threatening and does not cause any damage
to the bowel.
Related topics
Bowel Cancer
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Healthy Balanced Diet
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