The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder which affects your stomach and intestines. There is no known cause for the development of IBS but it can be attributed to various lifestyle changes. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation or both. Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not develop into serious conditions and can easily be managed with diet and lifestyle changes.
However some cases may develop serious complications of the disease which may need proper medications and doctor’s advice. People have often heard that Irritable Bowel Syndrome damages your gastrointestinal tract and can even increase your risk of developing colon cancer but this is not true. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is just a small disorder which can be easily managed without consulting a doctor.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition which affects a person’s gastrointestinal tract and can lead to the development of severe abdominal cramps, pain, constipation and diarrhoea if not treated properly. This condition affects almost everyone at one point of their life and it is not fatal. It can develop in people as a complication of some other infection or as a symptom of some other disease but it cannot lead to the development of some other conditions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not require medical attention most of the time but in some severe cases it can also lead to hospitalisation. It can affect anyone in any age group but it is most commonly seen in people having a lot of stress in their life and who are not managing their lifestyle properly. In this article, you will find all the information regarding the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, causes, treatment and home remedies to cure the problem.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Causes
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not have a definite cause of development but it can be attributed to various lifestyle causes. Some of the most common causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are given below.
- Longer Muscle Contractions- Normally the intestines have muscles that contract on regular intervals to help the passage of food along the gastrointestinal tract. If these contractions last longer than their normal periods then it can lead to the formation of gas, bloating and diarrhoea. If these contractions are weak then it can lead to hard and dry stools.
- Problems with the coordination of nervous system and digestive system- If there is some incoordination between the nervous system and the digestive system then it can lead to an overreaction of the body. This can develop pain and constipation.
- Hormone Levels- Abnormal secretion of Serotonin in the body can lead to the development of abnormal motility of the digestive tract and development of diarrhoea or constipation.
- 4. Severe Infection- Any kind of chronic and severe infection can lead to the development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can lead to the irritation of the nerves of the digestive tract which causes cramps and pain.
- Stress- Any kind of prolonged stress can lead to the development of IBS as it has an adverse effect on all the organ systems. This can even lead to the development of diarrhoea and constipation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms
Irritable Bowel Syndrome can have a variety of symptoms which can confuse the patient about their condition. Hence they are advised to not down their symptoms properly so that it may help their doctor to diagnose their condition accurately. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be identified from the following set of symptoms.
- Abdominal pain and cramping which can range from mild to severe.
- Changes in bowel movement and the appearance of stool.
- Changes in the frequency of your bowel movement.
- Formation of gas and bloating of your stomach.
- Unexplained vomiting and nausea.
- Diarrhoea or Constipation or both.
Some of the less common symptoms and severe symptoms are given below. If you experience these symptoms then you should immediately visit your doctor.
- Diarrhoea episodes at night
- Rectal bleeding everytime you pass your stool.
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Abdominal pain which is not relieved even after passing gas and stool
- Sudden weight loss.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diagnosis
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above then you should visit your doctor. They will then perform a physical and blood test on you in order to diagnose your condition and to determine what could have led to its development.
There are no definitive tests to determine that your condition is Irritable Bowel Syndrome but the doctor will perform tests in order to rule out other conditions. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and whether you have experienced any disease in the last 6 months.
- They will note down your symptoms and try to rule out other conditions.
- They can also perform a colonoscopy, CT scan or upper endoscopy to check the tissues and muscles lining your gastrointestinal tract and look for signs of infection.
Once it has been determined that you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome then your doctor will prescribe you medication and lifestyle changes in order to help you manage your condition.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
The treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome mostly focuses on treating the symptoms as there is no known cause for the disease. The following medications can be prescribed to you based on the symptoms that you present.
- Laxatives- If you suffer from chronic constipation then your doctor will prescribe you laxatives in order to help your bowel movement. The doctor will also provide you with accurate dosage and you should make sure not to exceed the dosage so that you do not develop diarrhoea.
- Antidiarrheal medication- If your primary symptom is diarrhoea then you will be prescribed antidiarrheal medications. You will need to take care not to take too much of the medicine so that you do not develop Constipation.
- Fibre Supplements- To ensure a healthy bowel movement, your doctor can prescribe you fibre supplements. These will fulfil your nutritional requirements and will also promote good bowel health.
- Pain medications- If your main symptoms are abdominal pain and cramps then you will be prescribed pain medication. These will help you to go no about your daily life without any problem.
Home Remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
You can also treat your Irritable Bowel Syndrome without any medication by just changing your lifestyle. The following remedies will help you to cure your symptoms.
- Regular exercise- Exercising regularly can help you to relieve stress, anxiety and other conditions which may have been affecting your bowel health. Working out regularly can help you to maintain good bowel health too.
- Eating a nutritional diet- Avoiding junk food and spicy food can also help your bowel movement as these foods tend to create problems in the smooth passage of food in the gastrointestinal tract. A balanced diet will fulfil your nutritional requirement and will also promote good bowel health. Including fibres in your diet will relieve your symptoms quickly.
- Meditation- Regular meditations have also been found to be extremely helpful in cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome as it helps to relax your whole body.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome FAQs
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder which affects your stomach and intestines. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation or both.
There is no known and definitive cause for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can occur individually after an infection or other triggering factor or it can occur in conjunction with some other condition.
You can easily treat your Irritable Bowel Syndrome at home by following the tips mentioned above.