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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common disorder affecting the intestines.
It may also sometimes be referred to as Spastic Colon, Idiopathic Constipation, or Nervous Diarrhea.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome represents a disturbance in intestinal function that is often linked to and appears to reflect feelings and emotions. It is not associated with any inflammation or structural change to the intestine.
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What Causes IBS?
There is no specific cause for IBS. It is not caused by viral or bacterial infections, or food poisoning. Food allergy is also a very rare cause of this condition.
It often appears for no specific reason and often subsides without medical intervention, or with a change in lifestyle.
Although there is no specific cause for IBS, a number of factors are known to bring on an attack or aggravate the symptoms.
These include:
A major personal event - the death of a close relative, a divorce, the loss of job, moving, changing jobs, or retirement
Hysterectomy
Menopause
Diarrhea (caused by infection).
In IBS, the bowel is abnormally sensitive, so contractions and the passage of digested food through the gut (the intestine or bowel) cause pain and discomfort. A sensitive gut is reactive, producing more frequent, vigorous and painful contractions, and a change in bowel habits. It is also more sensitive to changes in function brought upon by eating a meal and emotional upsets.
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Recognizing the Symptoms
The characteristic symptoms of IBS are abdominal discomfort and disturbance of bowel habits which may involve diarrhea or constipation, or both (in an alternative pattern).
Patients with IBS also suffer from a variety of other symptoms.
These can include:
Nausea/dizziness
Loss of appetite
Anxiety
Backache
Depression
Frequent urination
Muscle pains
The symptoms can vary considerably from one patient to another.
IBS can occur in any person at any age but it is perhaps most frequent and severe in women between the ages of 15 and 50.
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Diagnosing IBS
A diagnosis of IBS is usually made on the presence of symptoms which have
occurred for longer than three months, and where:
No evidence of disease (such as fever or
inflammation) is present when the patient is examined.
Blood tests, taken to check for the presence of disease, are negative.
Specific symptoms that will help doctor make a diagnosis are:
Abdominal pain that is relieved by going to the bathroom
Urgent need to go to the bathroom after eating
A sensation that the bowel is never completely emptied after going to the bathroom
The presence and passage of mucus in the stool
A variation in stool form pellets to diarrhea
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Treatment
The diagnosis of the condition can relieve any anxiety about having more serious illness affecting the digestive system. This can help to reduce or resolve the symptoms without the need for further treatment.
For these reasons, psychological causes are often investigated first, before dietary or drug treatments are recommended
The prime aim of all treatment is to minimize discomfort and re-establish a pattern of normal bowel movements as soon as possible
Daily Records
Use this chart to monitor your IBS attacks
Try to identify anything that may have triggered an attack
Alert your healthcare provider if you suspect that any medication is aggravating the symptoms.
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| Date |
Attack |
Duration |
Warning signs |
Activity/Diet/Event |
Comments |
| Example |
| 11/03 |
mild |
20 min |
no appetite |
stressful day at work |
missed lunch today |
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General Advice
Regular exercise can improve general well-being, and help cope with this condition.
Time should also be allocated every day to unwind and relax. Some patients also find meditation to be helpful.
It may be useful to talk through problems with a friend or family member.
Dietary adjustments may help, provided they are carried out under supervision, and compliment other adjustments in lifestyle.
Many patients with IBS find they are trapped in situations that are actually making them ill. For them, the condition itself, may be the trigger they need to make important decisions about their own lifestyle.
This, alone, can often make them feel much better.
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