Irritable Bowel Syndrome Signs And Symptoms

Spotting Trouble: Knowing Your Irritable Bowel Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome can be quite hard to identify if you do not know what to look for. This is mainly because of the fact that irritable bowel syndrome has a lot of different symptoms. The signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from person to person, which means that certain criteria are needed for proper diagnosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome?

This question cannot be answered simply by giving you a generic list. As said before, the signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome vary from person to person and this means that irritable bowel syndrome cannot be generalized into a set of syndromes. Here are the different classifications of irritable bowel syndrome and their symptoms:

1) Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) This type of irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by these signs and symptoms:

a) Urgency in defecating People suffering from this type of irritable bowel syndrome often need to hurry when they have to defecate. This irritable bowel syndrome sign and symptom can be very inconvenient especially if a person is working.

b) Wet/loose stool This means that the stool the person is evacuating from the body has excessive water content. The stool could be very loose or even kind of liquid.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency A person suffering from IBS-D has to move his or her bowels more than 3 times a day. This can cause a person to be dehydrated so a person experiencing this sign should make sure to drink lots of water.

2) Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) These are the irritable bowel syndrome signs and symptoms to look for in this illness:

a) Straining to defecate A person suffering from this illness often has difficulty moving his or her bowels. It is often the case when the person has to make a huge effort in order to evacuate stool from his or her body. In some cases, there could be pain during bowel movement.

b) Hard/ lumpy stool Having hard, dry or lumpy stool is a common sign and symptom of having irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. This is because the digestive process may not include enough water in the digestion to make the stool softer and easier to evacuate.

c) Abnormal bowel frequency A person suffering from IBS-C is often unable to defecate more than 3 times a week. An abnormal frequency in defecation could be dangerous as it could cause toxins to build up in the digestive tract.

3) Irritable bowel syndrome alternating (IBS-A) This is characterized by alternating signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This can be very hard on the person as he or she needs to constantly adjust his or her diet in order to accommodate the symptoms.

There are common signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome:

Abdominal pain People with irritable bowel syndrome often experience mild to severe pain in their abdominal area. This is a symptom triggered by eating various types of foods or even stress. It is often the case that this irritable bowel syndrome sign and symptom would be relieved as soon as a person defecates.

Sudden change in bowel frequency This irritable bowel syndrome symptom could either be an increase in the frequency of defecation or it could mean a decrease in bowel frequency.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Signs And Symptoms

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome2

Facts About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Derived from the term syndrome, it is basically a group of conditions that cause one major condition to arise. However, there is no known cause that would explain why irritable bowel syndrome appears mostly among female of middle age or why there is no specific intensity or frequency of attacks experienced among patients.

It is, however, considered a functional disorder wherein no signs of colon impairment is seen during examination but the colon still doesn’t work in the way it should be working. There is no known cause for this syndrome yet and as such, there can’t still be cures for it.

For most people, irritable bowel syndrome is only a mild annoyance. However, for some it is a disabling disorder that would permit them from continuing normal affairs.

Symptoms:

Irritable bowel syndrome is frequently characterized with attacks of diarrhea and constipation.

Diarrhea is a condition wherein one has the uncontrollable urge to release bowel. This is often matched with fluid-like stools mixed with mucus.

Constipation, on the other hand, is the condition wherein the patient experiences abdominal cramping with or without the release of painful, and relatively dry stool.

There seems to be a number of various causes that lead to the development of this syndrome. For instance, it seems to be linked with disturbed muscle movement of the intestine or intolerance with stretching of the intestine. There may not be an abnormality on the anatomical features of the intestine though but the cause may be triggered with physiological disturbances.

Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are:

Constipation and diarrhea or alternating of both

Crampy stomach or abdomen

Gas

Abdominal bloating

Mucus in the stool

Sensation of unfinished bowel

Note though that the frequency and intensity of these symptoms vary from one patient to another. It is therefore important that before taking up medications or before following a treatment plan, you are properly diagnosed by your physician.

Prevalence

There is no fixed data that yields specific number of patients covered under irritable bowel syndrome. This is largely because of unreported incidences that are often not documented. However, sources agree that 1 out of ten hospital visits is related with irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of which are covered by women who are aged 20 years old and above. Nevertheless, irritable bowel syndrome may affect people of any age.

While 1 out of ten hospital visits is covered irritable bowel syndrome, many patients are diagnosed only once the condition aggravates. It is prevalent yet people don’t normally think of it as something that would occupy their daily affairs. Additionally, there is a common notion that it is more of a psychological issue rather than a physical one.

The good thing about irritable bowel syndrome is that it is not subject to developing into more aggravated conditions. This is basically due to the factor that it does not cause inflammation in the intestinal linings, or bleeding, damage to the colon and is not related with cancerous developments.

There are some basic treatments for irritable bowel syndrome yet these are not guarantees of complete cure. In fact, due to the lack of information on this condition, there is still no defined cure for irritable bowel syndrome.

Changes in lifestyle are often recommended and careful intake of foods. It is often suggested that managing stress must be implemented since it has a direct connection with this syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome2

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Changes that Will Help Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is among one of the common causes that send people to doctors. In fact this condition accounts to ten percent of all primary hospital visits.

While it may be among the common disorders, people tend not to talk about it. It is marked by symptoms such as gas, bloating and diarrhea- certainly not the casual thing that patients would not want to open with other people. And add to it the fact that Irritable Bowel Syndrome has for long been considered a psychosomatic disease that appeals more to the mind rather than to the body.

Most patients experience mild symptoms. It is rare that they undergo severe symptoms. However, due to the stress and depression that accompany this disorder, many people find themselves subjected to more painful sensations rather than what they should actually experience.

The good thing about Irritable Bowel Syndrome though is that it does not lead to more aggravated conditions unlike Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IBS does not result to changes in bowel tissue nor does it cause inflammation. It does not also contribute to one’s susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Thus, it does not require any comprehensive treatments. In fact, it can be helped with changes in general lifestyle, food intake and stress.

Here are some ways that would help you deal with Irritable Bowel Syndrome:

Many people experience stress while having attacks of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Biofeedback has been a good help among patients for years. This stress-production technique helps in the reduction of muscle tension to facilitate a slower heart rate with the feedback registration of a machine. You will then be delivered to relaxed states that will help you cope with the stress of undergoing IBS.

For supplemental support, you may also try practicing yoga and meditation. Regular massage would also prove productive.

Deep breathing helps in the relaxation of muscle. Most adults normally breathe from chests but this must not be the case. The lungs and the diaphragm are intended to be filled in with air and completely released from air.

Your diaphragm is the muscle that sets the boundary between your abdomen and chest. Once your breathing becomes normal, it is likely that your abdominal muscles are relax, which then creates a more normal bowel movement.

In some cases, relative changes in the diet would help suppress the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While your body may not respond immediately to these, your goal is after a long term solution, not one that would help relive you for a while.

Gradually increase your fiber intake over a few weeks. It is a blessing for most diarrhea sufferers as well as constipation patients. Since IBS is marked by symptoms of both conditions, it might as well provide some relief for you.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans will do. If your condition doesn’t change or if it becomes worse, it is best to seek a dietician’s help.

It is highly suggested that you refrain from taking problem foods. These include chocolates, alcohol, dairy products, sodas, sugar-free sweeteners and caffeinated beverages. Some people have developed oversensitivity to specific foods. It is best that you observe what foods trigger your attacks. For most people though, the following foods certainly cause the increase of attack intensity: fat-based foods such as margarine and butter, nuts, mayonnaise, cream, red meat and ice cream.

Be careful though that your diet is not much too restricted.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group

Benefits of Self Help Group and Prevention Techniques on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Living with a condition that affects daily affairs is not only disabling but can also pose embarrassing instances. Since this is primarily a chronic disease, it is likely that you will have to endure a life-long experience.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, be assured that you are not alone. At least 15% of the general population is affected with this condition and many more are yet to be documented.

While there may be lots of people experiencing the same troubles as you do, you will find it hard to find people who would willingly listen to your stories. In fact, you may even find it hard to start telling anyone of your cares.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not the usual disorder that anyone will be willing to talk about, it is, for most people, a distressing disease since it tackles abnormalities in the intestinal tract. Diarrhea, constipation and bloating are not the casual thing that people would want to hear. Thus, this adds to the stress and further aggravation of the condition.

The good thing though is that there are self help groups that are more than willing to help you with your difficulties.

Talking with people of the same condition can be reassuring. The internet seems to offer the widest venue for all patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Try the chat rooms or the forums and you will see that you are just among the many.

Seeking your doctor’s help will not set guidance on your persisting problems. They may also channel you out towards self help or support groups. Moreover, you can find local groups in your community and may as well work mutually towards finding assurances and workable treatments of your disease.

Since Irritable Bowel is a syndrome, the most common treatments are facilitated through creating treatment plans towards the symptoms and not on the disorder itself. Besides, there is lack of information on the true nature of disease, which makes it difficult to find ultimate cures. Thus, the only recourse is to seek effective measures of lessening the effects of the symptoms on patients.

The following are techniques to help prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of the symptoms. Note that at some cases, the symptoms will subside for a couple of weeks. However, this does not ensure the disappearance of the disease. In fact, once it reoccurs, it is possible that the condition is worse than it was before. To eliminate such possibilities, you can follow the guidelines posted here or you may seek help from your self help group.

Stay away from trigger foods. Most foods that have high fat content are often deemed as bane of the normal functioning of the intestines. This is true since they create slower movements of the muscles. If this were the case, there would be more gas produced since the bacteria acting on the digestion of this component would take longer to finish the work.

Plenty of fluids will cleanse the system. Aside from acting as the maintenance of the intestinal tract, fluids can also help drive digested foods into the lower portions of the digestive system which makes the process easier. It also helps in replenishing water in case of dehydration due to diarrhea. Which itself is a major symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

And, do regular exercises. This would not only create healthful effects on your body but will also help regulate the abnormal movements of your intestinal tract.

Remember that treatment alone is not enough to help you of clearing the symptoms. You may also need the company of those who understand to hasten the entire process.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a dysfunction in the digestive system that largely affects the large intestine or the colon. This is the part of the system that takes care of the bowel movements in the body including the storage and the excretion of solid waste materials. In irritable bowel syndrome, the large intestine becomes too sensitive. As to whats the reason behind the sensitiveness of the large intestine, scientists and medical experts still cannot determine why. Researches are still being made up until now to ascertain the true cause of irritable bowel syndrome.

Because of the sensitiveness of the large intestine, specifically the lining, minor changes in the body system which is often brought on by stress and changes in the chemical make-up that enter the chambers result in reactions that affect the bodys bowel movements.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome may either suffer from diarrhea, characterized by a loose and watery stool or from constipation characterized by hard stool and infrequent defecation. This is a problem that is often mistaken as ordinary food poisoning or even indigestion. Unfortunately, since there is no single known cause of irritable bowel syndrome, there is also no diagnostic test that can confirm the disorder. The most that doctors do is to conduct tests that would eliminate other possibilities before continuing with the diagnosis.

One thing thought that separates irritable bowel syndrome from other diseases is the presence of abdominal pain that can last for a period of 12 months. Of course, the pain would not be there every day but a period of a year with abdominal pain is one of the main criteria for a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Because it is a syndrome, diagnosis will not depend on just one symptom. There are criteria that must be met before a conclusive diagnosis can be reached. The Rome II Diagnostic Criteria System is often used to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. This system is also used in other gastrointestinal problems in the body and has already been established in the medical field as solid and sound criteria for diagnosis.

There is actually no cure for irritable bowel syndrome. The only thing that your doctor can do is to help relieve the pain. Treatment often involves the taking in of medications that will help ease constipation and regulate the bowel system, change in the diet plans and sometimes stress relief through psychotherapy.

Patients are also asked to avoid certain foods that are associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Food items that should be avoided include foods that are rich in oil and fats such as French fries, alcoholic drinks, chocolate, milk and milk products such as ice cream and cheese and even coffee.

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME 3

A Quick View on IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Definition

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a condition that affects the intestinal tract, more specifically the colon or the large intestine. First thought of as a psychosomatic disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is now considered a functional disorder which means that though physical disorders are not present, this still does not negate that there is an actual source of pain. It all lies in the physiological factors rather than the physical components such as the anatomy of the intestine or the chemical interaction within the system.

Since it is a syndrome, it is characterized by a combination of symptoms for which the causes are unknown.

Prevalence

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is known to be one of the most prevalent conditions diagnosed in primary health care. In fact, one in every ten hospital visits is known to cover this disorder.

Signs and symptoms

Most patients experience mild to severe abdominal cramping, bloating, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea or an alternation of both.

In most people, the symptoms are mild. However, for more aggravated conditions, severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be disabling which for some reasons, do not respond well to medications and treatment.

It can also be a chronic condition which can affect people for longer periods. However, there are periods when there is not one sign at all of being affected by this disorder. However, it is likely that once the symptoms reoccur, the condition is worsened.

Fortunately, unlike with other intestinal disease, Irritable Bowel Disorder does not develop into more serious conditions since it does not cause inflammation or damage on the tissue of the intestines.

Causes

While there seems to be lots of documented cases of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, there is still no known cause for this disorder.

The intestinal walls are lined with muscles that regularly contract to facilitate the digestion of food. This then will relax to release the digested food, which will then be delivered towards the rectum. In normal states, these muscles contract and relax at a coordinated rhythm. For people with irritable bowel syndrome though, there seems to be a significant disorder in this process. For some, the muscles contract and relax stronger while for other patients, the opposite occurs. This condition then leaves the person bloated or feeling uncomfortable with their bowel movement.

A number of studies assert that changes in the actions of nerves can have effects in the bowel movement. Others believe that there must be some roles that the autonomic nervous system play in the control and sensation covered by this syndrome. Still others believe that hormonal changes may have some effects on this syndrome since women are more likely to develop this disorder as compared with men.

Treatments

Since we don’t know exactly why this syndrome occurs, the medical community has not yet produced any effective cure to eliminate this disease. It is however a common knowledge that changes in lifestyle, diet and stress management can all add up to the possibilities of treating this disease. Abstention from certain foods that trigger this disease also proves helpful.

Such problematic foods include mostly all fat-based products and those that have high fat content.

Symptoms can also be relieved through medications. Be careful though that you follow the strict guidelines that were given to you by your physician to avoid side effects and drug interaction.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME 3

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Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include abdominal pain that lasts for about 2 months. Along with this, the pain must be accompanied by at least two of the following factors in a period of 12 weeks, although not necessarily consecutive. The three factors are: change in the appearance of the stool; change in the frequency of stool excretion and pain relief after defecation.

Other sets of symptoms that doctors watch out for are: abnormal frequency of defecation, which sometimes reach three times a day or less than three times in a week.); abnormal appearance of the stool, which are often lumpy and hard or watery in form.); abnormally hard passage of stool, characterized by a feeling of incomplete evacuation, difficulties that lead to straining and urgency to defecate. In some cases, there are mucus threads that are found on the stool. Mucus is a substance that aid in the passage of stools by moistening the path.

Another symptom is bloating, perhaps because of the inability to defecate or the feeling of abdominal distention. Remember though that these are all secondary symptoms and not the main ones. These symptoms only serve as support for the main symptoms. Their presence, even all of them, is not enough for a diagnosis.

Some patients that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome also complain of experiencing heartburn and nausea. About 25 to 50 percent of the patients diagnosed with irritable bowel movement report these. Another symptom that patients may feel is the early feeling of satiety when eating, brought on by the fullness of the stomach.

Many patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome also experience fatigue and muscle pain. There will also be sleep disturbances and even sexual dysfunction. Although these items are also symptoms, these may already be consequences or complications that have arisen from body dysfunction.

As with other problems, symptoms may vary from one person to another. A patient will not feel all the symptoms. The severity of each symptom particularly the abdominal pain also varies from one patient to another. In fact, some patients have abdominal pain that is so mild that they do not even know that they have a problem.

This is often the problem with irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to having no direct cause and no specific diagnostic test, the symptoms are so varied and so common that people do not even recognize the problem. Most, in fact, believe that they have just suffered from a mild case of food poisoning when they do feel the pain and experience diarrhea.

Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Why There are Lacks of Treatment on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the condition characterized by the abnormality of activities in the colon or the larger intestine. Since it is a syndrome, there are no exact causes as to why this condition arises. It is also marked with the combination of symptoms that are closely associated with the intestinal tract.

While it may be common among Americans (15% of the general population is affected with mild to severe Irritable Bowel Syndrom), there are not enough studies to find the roots of this disorder. However, it is well understood that it is a functional disorder, which gives justification as to why it was first termed to as a psychological disease.

Functional disorder is the state where there is no actual physical or anatomical complications presented during examination. However, this does not negate the presence of the disorder. Only, the problem lies in the abnormality of functions the colon presents.

This implies that either the nerves or the muscles involved in the intestinal activities don’t function in ways they should. The nerves though go beyond those that are found in the digestive system. The spinal chord and the brain themselves are also involved.

There are various terms that are used in exchange for Irritable Bowel Syndrom. Some of which are spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis and others. It must be cleared though that these are far different from the actual condition as described for Irritable Bowel Syndrom.

Since the medical community has no comprehensive reports on the known causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrom, it is likely that there exists no cure on the disorder. The only best measure that’s left is the treatment of the symptoms to suppress the aggravation or the pain that is caused by the attacks.

The treatment though for Irritable Bowel Syndrom is often a unsatisfying and difficult topic since there are too few drugs that were studied for effectivity towards the treatment. Additionally, the drugs that had been studied show too little substantial use due to a number of reasons.

There is lack in our understanding of the disease since it is not actually a life threatening disorder. It has been observed that only those conditions that post immediate therat on the life of the patients have been given enough significance to be considered worthy of the research. For Irritable Bowel Syndrom, there is not enough research funding to help facilitate our comprehension towards the disease.

Add to this the fact that it deals more on subjective states (such as pain). Subjective factors are less reliable than objective ones for there is no quantifiable data that researchers can build their findings on.

The presence of subtypes furthers result to difficulties of finding viable treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Subtypes such as constipation-dominant IBS or Diarrhea-dominant IBS are known to have varying physiological roots. Therefore, the possibility that one drug will work for one patient and will fail to another is high.

Since Irritable Bowel Syndrom deals more on subjective factors, it is at high risk with reacting to placebos, that is responses to inactive drugs. In fact, studies present that 1/3 of all IBS patients respond positively on inactive drugs.

The bottom line though is the lack of understanding on the physiological processes involved in IBS. Thus, proper treatment cannot be directed on the mechanisms associated to it.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation

Some Tips to Help You with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation

Because of the diversity of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, it is often classified into three groups:

1) Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation This is when abdominal pain in a person is accompanied by difficulty to defecate. A person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation often feels the abdominal pain go away after he or she has defecated. However, it should be noted that people who suffer from this type of Irritable bowel syndrome are often left with a feeling of incomplete evacuation. The stool of the person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation is often hard and lumpy.

It is also the case that people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation defecate only 3 times a week.

2) Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea People who suffer from this type of irritable bowel syndrome often have a feeling of urgency to defecate. Their pain is often relieved by defecation which occurs three times a day. The stool of the person suffering from this is commonly loose and watery.

3) Irritable bowel syndrome with alternating stool pattern There are cases in which the people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome would experience diarrhea for one week, and constipation the next week. This is often very inconvenient for the person since he or she has to change the treatments that he or she is undergoing regularly.

Let us focus on the first category. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation can be relieved by making use of just a few techniques. Here are some of them:

a) Drink lots of water This is in order to prevent the hardening of stool. Drinking water can help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by cleansing the body’s system of any impurities. It is also very helpful in softening the stool of a person suffering from this illness.

b) Take soluble fiber supplements These supplements also help in softening the stool of a person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Although there are several people who say that insoluble fiber is the best type of fiber to take when you have this illness, you should never take insoluble fiber without soluble fiber. This is because insoluble fiber has the potential to trigger the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Insoluble fiber is also very tiring for your stomach to digest.

c) Relax There are studies showing that stress has a lot to do with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. This means that what you are thinking can affect the way your digestive system works. If you try too hard to defecate, you might not be able to. Do not think of your syndrome when you defecate. Try to relax and release your stress.

d) Pace your eating try not too eat too many things at one sitting. This could aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. The best thing you can do is to eat a little at a time. If you want to, you can eat as many times as you want, but try to pace yourself sop that you will allow for proper digestion.

These are just some of the tips to follow when you are experiencing irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. By following these tips, you will be able to lessen the discomfort brought about by the symptoms of this illness.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms 2

Constipation: A Common Part of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms

Constipation is a subjective abdominal disorder among many people. For some, it only means hard stool, while for others it is correlated with infrequent stools. Others still view it as straining of stool or a general sensation of incomplete emptying following a bowel movement. On the extreme condition which is considered a rare case is the fecal impaction or the state wherein the stool hardens which then prevents the passage of stools.

These types of constipation are said to have various roots, which therefore require different forms of treatment.

Constipation normally alternates with diarrhea to a person who has Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There is no fixed number of bowel movements each week that must be done to be able to maintain a healthy intestinal tract. Three times a day to one regular bowel movement a day is normal. But in general, as people age their bowel movement decreases in number.

Nearly one hundred percent of adults have bowel movements of 21 times per week. Most people though have a common pattern of one bowel movement per day. However, this is documented in less than fifty percent of the general population. Most people have regular bowel movements and are seen to have no similar number of bowel movements everyday.

Technically, constipation is diagnosed when a person has lesser than three bowel movements per week. Having one per week is already considered severe. There is no medical explanation as to why most people have a regular bowel movement each day and having no bowel movement in three consecutive days does not project any serious physical discomfort. Only, some people undergo mental distress. Moreover, there is no sign that humans accumulate intestinal toxins after days of infrequent bowel movements. It is not also linked to the development of cancer.

Chronic constipation is normally associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome which requires no immediate treatment since it does not involve worrisome inflammation of the abdominal lining which often cause rectal bleeding and a number of other symptoms.

While we may not know exactly how Irritable Bowel Syndrome occurs, the contribution of research on the main causes and the true nature of constipation give us ideas as to how we can atleast resolve the symptoms.

Bowel movements are subjected to voluntary control. That means it is under the somatic nervous system, which controls the voluntary activities humans do. It is therefore important to note that constipation may be a product of frequently suppressing the urge to defecate. This action will then lessen the urge for a person to exercise bowel movements.

Diet can also affect the activities in the intestinal tract. This is why we often hear people suggesting of changing daily food intake when seen with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fiber from fruits and vegetables proves useful in creating bulky and soft stool, which can aid in facilitating easier bowel movement.

The recommended intake of fiber is five to six servings of natural sources a day. However, for those who do not respond to this can be helped by supplementary fibers.

Laxatives are also known to cause constipation. Chronic use of various stimulant laxatives has been associated with damages in the colon and intestinal muscles. It is not clear though if it is the laxative that causes the damage or the damage is already present prior to the use of laxatives, which itself caused the use. Nonetheless, due to high possibilities, laxative is only used as a last resort to treating constipation or irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment for one symptom of a syndrome, in this case constipation, can lead us to further treating the whole condition.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms 2

Treatment Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The Different Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatments

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder affecting the gastrointestinal. The origin of this disorder is still unknown. But its symptoms include bloating, gassiness, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and constipation. And since it is still not clear what’s causing IBS, all the treatments for this disorder are just intended to control the symptoms.

Ways of Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Changing Diet

IBS is a disorder that involves the colon and mainly focused on the bowel movement. Since IBS caused constipation and diarrhea what most people do is to change their diet. Modifying diet may control symptoms of IBS but without the proper guidance of a doctor its effect may not last for long.

Why? Because you need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor before you change your diet. You see there are certain foods that are not advisable for IBS patients and your doctor can tell you exactly the foods that you have to avoid and eat. Take for instance, without a doctor to diagnose your condition you may mistook lactose intolerance for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Medical Treatment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem that only happens occasionally but there are also some IBS patients that experience much lasting symptoms and often entails for medications.

One of the most common treatment prescribe is eating fiber-rich foods. The main objective of this is to help the digestive tract to expand in order to reduce the possibility of spasm while food is being transmitted and digested. Plus fiber is known for promoting regular bowel movement reducing constipation.

However, it is very important to add fiber to the diet slowly since it may worsen IBS symptoms like bloating and gassiness. Stress is another factor that triggers IBS. Doctors may advice ways on how to reduce stress like eating a well-balanced meal and of course exercising.

Smoking was also found out to worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS smoker patients are advised to quit smoking or suffer the consequences. It is also advisable for IBS patients especially those with food intolerance, to keep a food journal to help them determine foods that they have to avoid and foods that they can eat.

Medications

There are antispasmodic medicines that are given to IBS patients to control or slow down the action of the digestive tract to reduce spasms. However different people react to medicines in different ways so it may work for some but not for others. For those who may not have a good reaction to this type of medicine there are other available treatments that may be applied to control symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Anti-diarrhea medicines are also prescribed to IBS patients that are experiencing severe loose bowel movement. There are lots of over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicines that can be bought even without a doctor’s prescription. This is all right for simple diarrhea cases but for IBS you need to consult your doctor before you try to purchase any medicine.

Antidepressants are also very effective for controlling Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms especially when taken in small doses. There are also new types of medications that are especially made for patients that do not react favorably with the aforementioned medicines. Consult your doctor for medicines that will help you to control IBS symptoms. Do not self-medicate since it may do you more harm than good.

Treatment Irritable Bowel Syndrome